[_____V_____]

Taiwanese singer-actor Jay Chou has joined the cast of Columbia's "The Green Hornet" opposite Seth Rogen in the role of sidekick Kato.

Chou replaces Hong Kong actor Stephen Chow in the role, originally made famous by Bruce Lee in the 1966-67 TV series.

Col made the announcement Friday. "Hornet," directed by Michel Gondry, is slotted for a summer 2010 release and the project's moving ahead for a fall start date.

"Jay is incredibly unique and charming and fights like a wild dog!" Gondry said.

Chou broke into film in "Initial D" in 2005 in China, starred opposite Chow Yun-Fat and Gong Li in Zhang Yimou's "The Curse of the Golden Flower" and "Kung Fu Dunk" and made his directorial debut and starred in "Secret." He's also in the upcoming Chinese film "Ci Ling" and in Yuen Woo-Ping's "True Legend."

The studio's in early talks with Nicolas Cage to play the gangster villain in "The Green Hornet" and Cameron Diaz is negotiating to play a reporter and love interest.