Movie News Rush 17

"The Green Hornet"

The news - The trailer for the film has finally arrived online. While the over-the-top action looks pretty cool, I feel the humor is out of place. You thoughts on this upcoming 3D flick?

"Dr. Strange"

The news - Rumblings of secondary heroes in the Marvel Universe hitting the big screen have been around for some time. But now Marvel has hired writers Thomas Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer (who wrote the "Conan" remake) to write "Dr. Strange." Will the Sorceror Supreme be the first third tier character to get a feature film treatment ( as well as the first Marvel production as part of Disney)? We'll have to wait and see...

Deadline
First Showing
Screen Rant
Latino Review
Live for Films
UGO Movie Blog
MTV News
The Geek Files

"Predators"

The news - Another trailer for the film, but this time there's some gory bits. I'm surprised it doesn't ask for your age before plying it. Oh well, easier to for the kids to watch I guess (though they could just put in a fake birth date). You know you wanna watch it...



"Rise of the Apes"

The news - We learned that offers had been made to both Don Cheadle and Freida Pinto to star in "Rise of the Apes" - and although we’re still not sure if Cheadle has accepted that offer, we do know that Pinto will be joining the cast along with John Lithgow.

Pinto will play the female lead in the prequel, a primatologist who presumably works alongside James Franco’s character (a modern-day scientist who conducts genetic experiments on a chimp he names Caesar in the hopes of developing a cure for Alzheimers). Lithgow will play Franco’s Alzheimers-stricken father, whom I imagine the scientist is trying to cure.

THR's Heat Vision
Screen Rant
Latino Review
First Showing

"Red"

The news - The trailer for the film has finally arrived! Directed by Robert Schwentke ("The Time Traveler's Wife"), "Red" is based on the comic book mini series by Warren Ellis and Cully Hamner. The film focuses on a group of retired ex-CIA agents who get thrown back into the game when assassins try to take them out. Those part of the gun-shooting cast include Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, Mary-Louise Parker, Morgan Freeman, John Malkovich, Karl Urban and Richard Dreyfuss.

"Little Fockers"

The news - A fair amount of trailers have hit the Internet this past week. Some decent, some just okay. Rank this trailer wherever you see fit. But maybe this will be the final film in this decaying franchise (unless it makes mega-money this December). It has a good cast though - but I guess Dustin Hoffman decided to sit this one out.

Movie News Rush 3

I'm starting to think that this Movie News Rush thing may be the only kind of posting on here for some time since I am literally swamped with work until after the first week in June. And it's summer and I'm not in school - so I kind of wish I was back in school. Then I wouldn't be so darn busy (that's kind of twisted).

Release Dates

The news - here are some new release dates for some films I've been talking about on this blog.

"Mission Impossible IV" - December 16, 2011
"Rise of the Apes" - June 24, 2011
"Ice Age: Continental Drift 3D" - July 13th, 2012

Latino Review
The Geek Files
First Showing
Rope of Silicon

"Mission Impossible IV"

The news - while on the subject of the fourth "Mission Impossible" film, Brad Bird has been confirmed as director. Interesting choice since he has never done a live-action film before (he directed "The Iron Giant," "The Incredibles" and "Ratatouille."

Rope of Silicon
Screen Rant
Empire

"Captain America: The First Avenger"

The news - besides the title being flipped, another villain has been added. Toby Jones ("The Mist," "W.") will play Arnim Zola, a genetic engineer who created clones and various other monstrosities for the Nazis. He also captured his own mental self, inserting it into a robot, and survived the war.

The Hollywood Reporter
MTV News
Live for Films
First Showing
The Geek Files

"The Green Hornet"

The news - Director Michel Gondry discusses the film's 3D enhancement and how it will be used for something called "Kato-Vision."

First Showing
MTV News

"Shrek: The Final Chapter 3D"

The news - first off, I have no idea when they changed the title of the film from "Shrek Forever After" to "Shrek: The Final Chapter," but whatever. Below is a featurette on the Pied Piper and a new trailer for the film.

Add 'Green Hornet' and 'Last Airbender' to the 3D Craze

Sony has officially delayed the release of Michel Gondry and Seth Rogen's "Green Hornet" until January 14th, 2011, which is three weeks back from December 22nd.

The film has already been the target of rumors citing production problems, to which Sony Pictures Entertainment Vice-Chair and marketing/distribution kingpin Jeff Blake says, "We're investing more in the film to have it 3D. We've seen part of the movie. We love it. We believe in it. Whoever is spreading these rumors has not seen it."

Although some claim the film is "unreleasable," Sony's vice-chair Jeff Blake says that's all just BS. They're converting it to 3D because "We've seen part of the movie. We love it. We believe in it. Whoever is spreading these rumors has not seen it. We're going to finish 'Green Hornet' in 3D and take 9 months to do it right."

Deadline Hollywood reports that Sony is using the term "3D enhancements" because they claim that since they haven't finished any visual effects, and therefore "it's not a 3D conversion but an enhancement, and there's already 'great depth and scope' to the shots from director Michel Gondry."

I guess they really don't want us to think of this as one of those terrible 3D conversions like "Clash of the Titans."

If it has so much depth and such amazing visuals, why does it need to be in 3D? Perhaps I'm the only one wondering this and Sony really isn't spending a little bit of extra dough to go the 3D route to make 1.5 times the dollars at the box-office. Just me I guess.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount is working with Stereo D — the company used by James Cameron for "Avatar" — on the 3D conversion of "The Last Airbender," which will not be pushed back from its original release date of July 2,2010.

Shyamalan was reportedly in favor of converting "The Last Airbender" to 3D from the start, before finally convincing the studio to make the leap after 3D tests were completed. "The Last Airbender" will be the first 3D conversion released from Paramount.

It's getting to the point where the only news about 3D should be when a film isn't heading into the third dimension. Do these films really need to be in 3D? I feel there will be enough 3D this year with all the animated films (like "Shrek Forever After" and "Toy Story 3") and big blockbusters (like "Tron Legacy").

Sigh...
That's the sound I think we're going to be hearing a lot more of in the days to come when every single film that could possibly squeeze a few extra dollars out of the conversion announces their plans to go 3D.

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: First Showing, Rope of Silicon, UGO Movie Blog, First Sowing, MTV News

News and Featuretttes I've Missed: 'Prince of Persia,' 'Predators' and 'Captain America'

I've been away from anything movie news related for a while due to a massive amount of school work, but now I have returned with full blogging force!

Here are some interesting tidbits that have appeared online while I've been slaving away in projects and papers.

"Prince of Persia"
Below is an excellent featurette on the film that reveals what all "Prince of Persia" fans have been wanting to see more of - parkour!



"Predators"
Here are two new featurettes for "Predators," the first taking a look at Topher Grace's character, Edwin, and the second one with producer Robert Rodriguez and D\director Nimrod Antal talking about getting involved with "Predators," casting the actors and using CG in the film.





"Captain America"
With all the waiting to hear about who would be cast as Captain America before Chris Evans (The Fantastic Four, Push, The Losers) was chosen, you'd figured he would have been one among many of those who audtioned. But it looks as if director Joe Johnston (The Rocketeer, The Wolf Man) wanted him from the start.

“Chris didn’t audition at all.” said Johnston talking to Earths Mightiest. “I was already familiar with everything he’d done and was championing his cause, not that I had a fight from the Marvel team. They were fans of his as well. He came in to the art department to say hi, saw all the jaw-dropping art and designs on the wall and reacted the way I’d hoped he would. It was really his wonderful enthusiasm for everything he saw that cinched the deal. We have some of the best designers and illustrators in the industry working for us and the art is just incredible to wander through. He will bring the perfect balance of dramatic performance and physicality to the role."

The other question is whether Evans will be playing Steve Rogers both before and after he gets the super soldier serum. That means going from a skinny runt to a buffed up hero.

“Casting Captain America is really casting two roles…Steve Rogers before and after the transformation from 98 pound weakling to perfect physical specimen. I can’t divulge how we’re going to do it, but the performance will be Chris Evans from beginning to end. An actor playing Captain America has to embody that backstory and let it inform his understanding of his new self. One of the interesting aspects of the character is the effect that kind of total transformation would have on the his psyche. It gives the character more dimension and the actor playing him a wider range of interesting choices.”

Wonder if they're going to us CGI like they did on Sam Worthington's legs in "Avatar."

"Lobo" and "Green Hornet"

While they may not be the best known or most anticipated comic book movie adaptations out there, the upcoming "Green Hornet" film and potential "Lobo" movie definitely have their share of fans looking forward to both.

But according to IESB, both projects aren't doing well.

Word is in that Sony executives got an early look at "Green Hornet" and their reaction wasn't enthusiastic. They say that the movie is too campy, director Michel Gondry’s direction is off, and that Seth Rogen (even though he’s lost weight for the part) doesn’t work at all in the lead.

A "Lobo" film has been in the works for a while now, but with Guy Ritchie leaving to do "Sherlock Holmes 2" and Warner Bros. not apparently not to happy with how "The Losers" and "Jonah Hex" are turning out - a "Lobo" film may start sitting on the backburner.

That's some pretty shitty news on two films I was looking forward to. Then again, "Lobo" isn't a well-known character in the DC universe and "Green Hornet" was written by the same team behind "Superbad."

That's a whole lotta news and I still need to get back to school work.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!

Character Revealed and Mishaps on Set for 'Green Hornet'

Mishap apparently is on the set of "The Green Hornet". A car chase scene went awry earlier this month when a stunt driver lost control of his car and crashed into the front of the Creative Artists Agency's headquarters. While the stuntman escaped without injury and none of the stars were involved, the film crew's construction department were seen working all day making repairs.

Now after that, the Los Angeles set of the film saw a bomb scare unraveling on September 29 as crew members found an unidentified metal object lying in the parking lot.

Following the discovery, the crew alerted the security which led to response from the LAPD bomb squad. The squad reportedly blew up the object on the spot with a robot. A police spokesman told E! News, "Everything is clear, they only found a smoke detector." It is unclear whether the stars, including Seth Rogen and Cameron Diaz, were on the set during the incident.
In some positive news for the film, fans learned back in August that "Battlestar Galactica's" Edward James Olmos had joined the cast of "The Green Hornet," but his role remained unrevealed.

In an interview with the Los Angeles Times, Olmos said he'd be playing Michael Axford, a reporter for the Daily Sentinel, the newspaper run by protagonist Britt Reid's father James.

"We’re the backbone of the paper,” said Olmos, “Things go awry, and I end up having to try to sustain what’s going on in our lives. And of course the Green Hornet doesn’t make it any easier. I don’t want to give anything away.

“I think it’s going to be very exciting. People will find that it’s different than what they expect. Seth is doing a wonderful job. There’s a lot of everything. It’s going to be action-filled, and there’s a lot of humor in the situations. It’s really a well-crafted piece of work. Hopefully people will enjoy it and we’ll have a few of these films.”

What do you think about Olmos being in "The Green Hornet"? And what do you think about some of the problems on set?

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: MTV News, Aceshowbiz

Nicolas Cage Explains Leaving 'Green Hornet'

Nicolas Cage's departure from "The Green Hornet" created quite a bit of buzz last week, but it was followed up by reports that "Inglourious Basterds" actor Christoph Waltz was in talks to replace Cage as the film's villain.

While promoting his upcoming film "Bad Lieutenant: Port of Call New Orleans" at the Toronto International Film Festival, Cage opened up about the reasons he made such an abrupt exit from Seth Rogen and Michel Gondry's film.

"'The Green Hornet' was something that I wanted to do, I think Michel Gondry is very talented and I had hoped it would work but I think Seth Rogen and Michel had a different take on the character," Cage told The Canadian Press.

"I had to have some humanity and to try to give it something where you could understand why the character was the way he was but I don't think there was enough time to develop it," he added.

According to the "Ghost Rider" star, the villain Chudnofsky was "a straight-up bad guy who was killing people willy-nilly"—a role he just wasn't interested in playing.

It doesn’t really matter though anymore as he won’t be missed too much with Christopher Waltz replacing him. Waltz made big name for himself with his epic performance in the latest Tarantino flick and he represents a significant upgrade over Mr. Cage.

Cage's sudden departure is only the latest in a long line of stops and starts for the film, which originally was tagged as a directing vehicle for Stephen Chow, who was also intended to star alongside Rogen as The Green Hornet's partner, Kato. Chow stepped down as director in December, then left the film entirely in July.

Gondry ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind") joined the project as director in February, and the new Kato, Jay Chou, was announced in August.

What do you think of Cage’s reasoning and would you had liked to see him as the bad guy? Is Waltz now typecasted as a villain?

"Green Hornet" hits theaters December 17, 2010.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Screen Rant, MTV News

New Villain for 'Green Hornet'

When Nicolas Cage dropped out of negotiations for "The Green Hornet" it left a gap in the casting for the film's villain, and today it's been announced that Christoph Waltz has landed the role.

Waltz made a huge splash this summer as Col. Hans Landa in Quentin Tarantino's "Inglourious Basterds" and may have earned himself an Oscar nomination. Should this casting come true it would be an impressive big break for the Austrian actor whom, I will dare say, no one in the States knew of before Tarantino's Basterds.

According to Deadline Hollywood, Waltz has been cast as Chudnofsky, the gangster who goes up against Green Hornet and his partner, Kato.

At the time, Cage was the leading candidate for the role, but talks broke down recently and the "Ghost Rider" star departed the project. No reason has been given for Cage's exit, but with filming already underway, it's no surprise the studio didn't delay in finding a new bad-guy actor to fill Cage's shoes.

So, with all of the principal characters cast, production in progress and a release date set, very little seems to stand in the way of "Green Hornet"—except for a little film called "Tron Legacy," that is.

"The Green Hornet" is set to hit theaters Dec. 17, 2010.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Deadline Hollywood, MTV News, Rope of Silicon, First Showing

Nic Cage Leaves 'Green Hornet' Cast

Nicolas Cage, who was in line to appear in Seth Rogen's superhero action movie "The Green Hornet," has dropped out of the project.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cage and Columbia Pictures “were not able to come to terms on a deal.”

Money talks in Hollywood and Cage has found two leading roles to play with instead of a supporting role in "Green Hornet." Cage has signed for the lead roles in "Drive Angry" and "The Hungry Rabbit Jumps."

He had been in line to play an original villain in the movie, a role that Rogen described as "not over-the-top. We wanted him to be very scary ... [we] don't feel that's where the comedy in the movie should come from."

Cage's involvement began to look uncertain when a press release confirming all the other casting said he was still in negotiations.

The studio and director Michael Gondry are now searching for a replacement. The film has begun shooting in Los Angeles and no scenes with Cage have been filmed.

Seth Rogen plays the lead role of Daily Sentinel publisher Britt Reid, who becomes a masked crimefighter with a sidekick called Kato (Jay Chou) and a hi-tech car called Black Beauty.

Cameron Diaz is playing Lenor 'Casey' Case, a reporter and love interest. French filmmaker Michel Gondry is directing and the film is set for release on December 17, 2010.

Would you have liked Cage to play the bag guy opposite Seth Rogen’s Green Hornet? Who should be the villain now?

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: The Geek Files, Screen Rant, MTV News

'Green Hornet' Starts Production And Adds to the Cast

The day that many thought might never come has finally arrived. "The Green Hornet," for all the roadblocks and pitfalls it experienced along the way, has begun production.

According to an announcement by Columbia Pictures, the film has officially started production in Los Angeles, California.

The release date's change to December 17, 2010 is also confirmed by the press release, and while several long-rumored casting notes are also verified, there are some new additions as well.

In recent weeks, we’ve heard about several casting decisions for the Seth Rogen-starrer including that of Cameron Diaz, Edward James Olmos ("Battlestar Galactica") and Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou taking over the role as Green Hornet’s side-kick, Kato. More recently, there’s been two more additions to the growing cast of talented and recognizable stars: Tom Wilkinson and David Harbour.

The official press release is as follows:

"CULVER CITY, Calif., September 2, 2009 - A classic character of film, television, radio and comic books returns to the big screen in Columbia Pictures’ feature film 'The Green Hornet,' starring Seth Rogen ('Superbad,' 'Knocked Up') as the vigilante crime-fighter. Production is underway on the Michel Gondry ('Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind') helmed film, which is produced by Neal H. Moritz ('I Am Legend,' 'The Fast and the Furious') and executive produced by Michael Grillo ('The Accidental Tourist'), Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg ('Superbad,' 'Pineapple Express'), Ori Marmur ('Evan Almighty') and George W. Trendle, Jr. The screenplay is by Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg, based upon 'The Green Hornet' radio series created by George W. Trendle and shoots entirely in Los Angeles. The film is set for release December 17, 2010.

In addition to Rogen, the film also stars Taiwanese actor-pop star Jay Chou as Kato, Cameron Diaz ('Charlie’s Angels,' 'What Happens in Vegas'), Edward James Olmos ('Battlestar Galactica'), David Harbour ('Revolutionary Road') and Tom Wilkinson ('Valkyrie'). Nicolas Cage is also in negotiations to appear in the film.

Academy Award®-nominee John Schwartzman ('Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian') is the director of photography. Production designer is Owen Paterson ('The Matrix Revolutions'), Kym Barrett ('Speed Racer') serves as costume designer and Michael Tronick ('Mr. & Mrs. Smith') is editing."
Harbour is best known to genre fans for his role in "Quantum of Solace." Wilkinson, meanwhile, is no stranger to comic book fare, having played Gotham's local crime boss Carmine Falcone in "Batman Begins."

It looks like the film has a great cast now and might be able to sell itself during next year's holiday season fine. The good news is that the film has finally started production.

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Screen Rant, MTV News, First Showing

'Green Hornet' Delayed Again!

This isn't surprising. When Stephen Chow announced that he wouldn't be starring as Kato in Seth Rogen and Michel Gondry's adaptation of "The Green Hornet," they didn't move the release date even though they are mere weeks away from the beginning of principal photography.

It's a large-scale movie compared to films that can be rushed. Not to mention that "The Green Hornet" isn't necessarily one of those properties that is going to have audiences flooding in to see it without the right marketing push. The older audience who remember "The Green Hornet" are not the same people that classify themselves Seth Rogen fans.

Regardless, it looked like "The Green Hornet" was going to be rushed, and this after Sony moved the release date once already. The planned release for the film was on June 25, 2010, but Sony's Adam Sandeler comedy "Grown Ups" moved into that slot and pushed "The Green Hornet" to July 25 where it would have to face off against "Despicable Me" and possibly "Predators."

Box Office Mojo reports "The Green Hornet" will now release on December 17, 2010 instead of the previously announced July 7, 2010 date. HitFix.com got in touch with Rogen regarding the change and it seems the move is purely a marketing strategy allowing for the film to have a Comic Con 2010 appearance.

"We're both relieved and psyched about the change," Rogen said. "It gives more time for post, which would have been immensely rushed if we were to come out in the summer. It also affords us more time to promote the film, (now we can go to Comic-Con with more than a car!) and ultimately is a great vote of confidence from the studio. We got the same date that movies like 'I Am Legend' and 'Avatar' are getting, so we're thrilled to be there."

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Latino Review, Rope of Silicon, Hitfix

Cameron Diaz Confirms Role in 'Green Hornet'

It wasn’t too long ago that Cameron Diaz’s presence in the “Green Hornet” movie was rumored, vaguely discussed, and eventually under negotiations. Now, the actress has finally offered her two-word statement on the issue.

“I’m in,” Diaz said when MTV News caught up with her recently.

Diaz has officially signed on to play Lenore “Casey” Case, historically Britt Reid’s beautiful secretary and one of the few people aware of the fact that Reid (who will be played by Seth Rogen), spends his off-hours fighting crime as the Hornet. In the soon-to-shoot film, however, Casey will be reimagined as a forensics-TV-show loving amateur sleuth who remains in the dark about Green Hornet’s true identity—and is smarting from a recent divorce.

“I am making Michel Gondry’s movie,” she said of the director, who Diaz said is giving the 70-year-old character an extreme makeover. “I am very, very excited about it.”

Diaz also said that she recently met the new Kato, and that they’re hard at work in pre-production for the movie. “Seth and Michel are awesome, and Jay Chou too,” she said. “We’re having a really great time.”

Diaz has been hard at work reviewing the past incarnations of Casey, but explained that it will ultimately be a modern, very different take on the character. “I think she’ll have her own little [differences],” she explained. “I’m going with Michel, because this is Michel’s movie and Seth’s movie. So, I’m playing the character that they wrote for us.”

"The Green Hornet" hits theaters July 9, 2010.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: MTV News

Movie News Mash 25

SCREAM 4
Courteney Cox elaborated on a few details that were revealed by writer Kevin Williamson about "Scream 4," which picks up the story 10 years after the events in "Scream 3." Cox will reprise the role of TV reporter Gale Weathers.

"She has a kid now," Cox said in a group interview Saturday at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Pasadena, California. "She's married to Dewey."

"Scream 3" ended with Deputy Dewey (David Arquette, Cox's real-life husband) proposing to local newswoman-turned-true-crime guru Gale. The characters bonded during their investigation of the first "Scream" murders, through the campus crimes of "Scream 2" and the film-within-the-film of "Scream 3."

Williamson previously described "Scream 4" as the beginning of a new trilogy. Cox has no trepidations about beginning another three films. "No, because [I take things] one day at a time," she said. "But I heard the idea for Scream 4, and it's fantastic."
(Sci Fi Wire)

THE GREEN HORNET
Hollywood Snitch is reporting that Edward James Olmos has joined the cast of the upcoming comic book film, "The Green Hornet." If this news is true, he joins the already-announced Seth Rogen (playing the titled character), Jay Chou (playing Kato, replacing Stephen Chow), Nicolas Cage (playing the film’s villain) and Cameron Diaz (playing some sort of reporter/love interest). The film is being directed by Michel Gondry ("Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"), and written by Rogen and his "Superbad" co-writer, Evan Goldberg.

Olmos’ "Green Hornet" role is currently labeled as unspecified, with only a short quote from the "Battlestar Galactica" star himself at Wizard World Chicago Comic-Con. Check out the quote:


“I’m on my way to do ‘The Green Hornet,’… It’ll be a lot of fun with Seth [Rogen], Nicolas Cage and Cameron Diaz.”

Basically this just tells us he’s got some sort of part, but it could be anything from a cameo to a major supporting part. A couple of side characters from the original Green Hornet series are, “a bombastic former policeman,” and an, “irascible city editor of The Daily Sentinel.” Could Olmos be one of those two? Who knows.
(Screen Rant)

THE AVENGERS
Hero Complex recently talked with director Louis Leterrier on the set of "Clash of the Titans." As you know, Leterrier last directed "The Incredible Hulk." Although he doesn't know yet if he'll be back for another "Hulk" sequel, he does want to work with Marvel again (and is contracted to do another movie for them anyway).

"I would love to do the 'Avengers film.' I’d love to work with Marvel again. I loved working with them. I’ll tell you my real dream: To work with Joe Johnston and Kenneth Branagh and Jon Favreau and make like a triptych. We do four movies. We release them one a month for the summer. Or even every two weeks or three weeks. And the whole summer would be Avengers summer. So we do it the way they make television shows. One story arc but told in installments by different directors. So all of the directors that touch part of the 'Avengers' world would do a part; we could make the movies shorter, maybe less than an hour and a half, and we use the same sets and save Marvel money. I would love to sit around a table with all of them a kick around the story. That’s my dream.

"People will get bored seeing the same superhero movie every summer," he said. "If we change the concept and package it differently, then we do something really original then people get excited."
(First Showing, MTV News)

Jay Chou Is Kato In 'The Green Hornet'

Forget what we said last week about Korean actor Kwon Sang-woo being cast as Kato in Seth Rogen's "The Green Hornet", because apparently that was 100 percent wrong. Sony has confirmed via a press release today that they've cast someone else.

When Stephen Chow dropped out of "The Green Hornet," the race was on for the Michel Gondry-directed production to find a new Kato. Weeks of searching commenced, leading to some speculated contenders, but one man has finally emerged to play Green Hornet's martial arts-savvy sidekick... and his name is Jay Chou.

Columbia Pictures has confirmed that Chou, a Taiwanese actor and musician, has landed the role of Kato in "The Green Hornet," joining actors Seth Rogen, Cameron Diaz and Nicolas Cage for the production. The role of Kato was famously played by Bruce Lee in the original television series.

"It's an overwhelming experience to take on a role made famous by Bruce Lee," Chou said. "I won't try to be Bruce Lee's Kato -- I will try to bring my own interpretation to the part. Of course, it's a dream role, and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Gondry said of Chou's credentials: "Jay is incredibly unique and charming and fights like a wild dog! When I filmed him next to Seth, they had such great chemistry, and I knew the movie will be great."

The casting of Kato puts an end to a lengthy drama surrounding Stephen Chow's exit from the "Green Hornet" production. Chow was initially set to helm the film and star as sidekick Kato, but he eventually abandoned his role as director. Shortly thereafter, Michel Gondry landed the director role, with Chow departing entirely weeks later.

"The Green Hornet" is slated for a July 9, 2010 release.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Screen Rant, Deadline Hollywood Daily, First Showing, Slash Film, MTV News

Has 'The Green Hornet' Found Its New Kato?

"The Green Hornet" has had some ups and downs the past few weeks regarding casting news, but could an announcement regarding the new Kato be the next news we hear?

According to The Korea Times, actor Kwon Sang-woo recently passed an English audition for the role of the title character's sidekick -- an audition that was attended by the film's star and writer Seth Rogen and director Michel Gondry. The report goes on to say that a final announcement regarding the role will be made within the next month.

While Kwon is an unknown property in the US, the actor has already established himself as a hot star in Korea. Prior to embarking on a career in acting, he was a successful model contracted to be the face of various marketing campaigns.

If Kwon snags the part, he'll have some big shoes to fill after the departure of Stephen Chow, who left the project earlier this month. Chow was initially tagged to be both director and Rogen's co-star on the film, but stepped down from the director's chair late last year. He then left the film entirely a few weeks ago.

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: MTV News

'Green Hornet' Black Beauty Unvealed at Comic-Con

"The Green Hornet" star and co-writer Seth Rogen, his writing partner Evan Goldberg and director Michel Gondry kicked off the 2009 Comic-Con in San Diego in grand fashion this evening, unveiling the film's "Black Beauty" -- a night-black, gadget-filled car that Green Hornet and his sidekick Kato will use in the film.

Movie Trailers - Movies Blog

What do you think of the new Black Beauty?
"The Green Hornet" is scheduled to hit theaters July 9, 2010.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: MTV News

Word On 'Green Hornet' Villain

Earlier it was reported that "Ghost Rider" actor Nicolas Cage might play a villainous role in Seth Rogen and Michel Gondry's "Green Hornet." Now Rogen himself spoke about the character Cage is in talks to play.

"There was no classic villain, so we had to create a villain," Rogen told MTV News of the film's chief villain.

Given the hero's status as a somewhat unknown commodity among modern audiences and his lack of a recognizable rogues gallery, the decision seems to make sense. But Rogen cautioned that the villain wouldn't be the absurd, over-the-top nemesis that often squares off against masked heroes in theaters these days.

"No, [he's] not over-the-top. We wanted him to be very scary," Rogen said. "We don’t feel that that’s where the comedy in the movie should come from, necessarily."

As to the other casting rumor that has Cameron Diaz to play the love interest of Rogen's hero, the actor called Diaz "wonderful."

Rogen said "The Green Hornet" is currently in a "heavy pre-production" phase at this point, but was cautious not to reveal any details about the plot of the film.

"We’re writing and we’re building sets," he explained. "We’re coordinating the stunts and fights and chases and we’re going through all that stuff. It's crazy."

With some idea of both the villain The Green Hornet is likely to face and the woman he'll be romancing in the film, there's still at least one very big question yet to be answered: who will play Kato?

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: MTV News

Nick Cage To Be 'Green Hornet' Villain?

Along with confirming an earlier report that actress Cameron Diaz is eyeing a role in the Michel Gondry-directed "The Green Hornet," Variety adds that actor Nicolas Cage is in early negotiations to join the cast of the Seth Rogen movie as well.

If the casting pans out, Cage will play a gangster villain (that could well be Mr X, a criminal mastermind introduced in the original radio serial) opposite Rogen's masked crime fighter. The report also notes that Diaz's character is a reporter and love interest for the titular hero.

The 45-year-old actor has been less than impressive in recent films and, rather worryingly, he also wants another go at "Ghost Rider."

Seth Rogen co-wrote "Green Hornet" and is to star in it as Daily Sentinel newspaper publisher Britt Reid who, by night, becomes the eponymous masked hero with a sidekick named Kato and a hi-tech car called Black Beauty.

As reported earlier, Cameron Diaz is under consideration to play a reporter and love interest of Britt Reid, while Stephen Chow dropped out of playing Kato.

There's still no word on a replacement for Kato, the martial arts-savvy assistant to the Green Hornet, but Variety notes that the production is nevertheless moving full steam ahead towards a fall start date. With Cage and Diaz almost officially on board, it shouldn't be much longer before Rogen finds himself a new sidekick.

"Green Hornet" began as a radio serial in the 1930s and went on to feature in a 60s TV series starring Van Williams and Bruce Lee and also numerous comic books. The new film is set for release by Columbia Pictures on July 9, 2010.

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: The Geek Files, MTV News

Ups and Downs of 'Green Hornet'

SpoilerTV has discovered an open casting call for the part of Kato for the upcoming "Green Hornet" film starring Seth Rogen and Stephen Chow. However, they are looking for a non-specific Asian, and no longer require any martial arts experience — a description that could shed some light on Rogen’s take on the classic character.

In the serials, Kato was a skilled fighter, driver, and mechanic, but not necessarily a master of any martial arts. Bruce Lee made the part his own and it has now become an iconic part of the character.

Originally, Chow was set to do double duty as director and as the Hornet’s sidekick, Kato, but left the director’s chair late last year. He was still set to play Kato, which cheered everyone up, and when Michel Gondry became the unlikely new director, the project finally seemed secure.

But now it seems Chow might be out of the film entirely. Apparently following his decision to drop out as director, it took too long for the film to find its legs, so Chow has moved on to a new movie (or so CHUD says) and due to scheduling can't star anymore.

In good news, Rogen has gotten in shape to play the title character and has slimmed down considerably, which can be seen in the video below about his next movie, "Paul," where he will not be seen but only heard as the voice of an alien.

Hopefully the role of Kato gets filled soon as the film is supposed to get released on July 9 next summer.

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: MTV News, First Showing

Cameron Diaz Might Join 'The Green Hornet'

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that Cameron Diaz is in talks to team-up with Seth Rogen in "The Green Hornet."

No, she’s not playing Kato (with luck, Stephen Chow’s still in that role), but according to the article, she’ll be playing the female lead.

As to what that entails? Sony isn’t saying yet, though she could be a version of Leonore Case, publisher and Hornet alter ego Britt Reid’s secretary.

But wouldn’t it be more fun if Diaz were being asked to play a villain? It would be somehow more fun to see her try and play a bad guy than a heroine like in "Charlie's Angels."

Michel Gondry is set to direct the film based on a script by Rogen and his writing partner Evan Goldberg. Shooting is supposed to begin shortly, with a release date already set for July 9, 2010.

More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: Total Film

Movie News Mash 21

GREEN HORNET
If you’ve been looking forward to Seth Rogen and Michel Gondry’s live-action “Green Hornet” movie, it looks like you’ll have to wait a little longer to see the pulp hero’s upcoming return to the big screen. Sony announced today that it’s moving the release date of “Green Hornet” from June 25 to July 9, 2010.

According to Variety, the move was made to allow room for the studio’s Adam Sandler-penned comedy, “Grown Ups,” which will feature Sandler and a long list of other popular comedy actors. While “Grown Ups” is currently the only film scheduled to open June 25, Rogen and “Green Hornet” co-star Stephen Chow will now go up against the animated film “Despicable Me” and the Robert Rodriguez film “Predators.” (MTV News)

ASTRO BOY
Kristen Bell is lending her voice talent to “Astro Boy,” the upcoming 3-D animated movie from Imagi Studios based on the popular manga series. In the film, Bell voices a human role opposite the titular robot hero, but she nonetheless insists that her character can hold her own.

“I play Cora, who is a girl who befriends Astro when he comes down from Metro City onto the surface of Earth,” Bell told Sci Fi Wire. “She runs a little kind of like Peter Pan group of kids. She’s pretty tough, pretty sassy.”

“It looks amazing,” Bell said of the film. “To be involved in the process is really exciting, because you see the layers that they put on, and you see when they don’t have the 3-D involved and then when they do, and you see when it’s just penciled out. It was a really interesting process.”(MTV News)

SUPERMAN
Early this morning First Showing was sent a link to an article on the Brazilian movie site Omelete where they had a few new quotes from Brandon Routh who they caught up with on the set of Edgar Wright's "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World." We've heard plenty of unconfirmed details about the status of Superman inside of Warner Brothers, but not all of it was accurate. Routh (via a rough translation) says that he knows nothing about what's currently going on and, most importantly, that his contract to play Superman has since expired. "But if they call me again, back to the character without thinking twice [sic]!" (First Showing)

How will this affect the "Superman" franchise from here out? It will most likely be rebooted and a new star will don the blue and red costume.

More news to come! Catch ya' later!