GREEN HORNET animated series (TBD) 0

[Bosco685]

Quote

Picture this. It's January 2011. The concluding film in Christopher Nolan's DARK KNIGHT trilogy is still a year and a half away. The MCU remains in its infancy with both THOR and CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER just on the horizon. People are still hopeful about the upcoming GREEN LANTERN film and nobody has any clue what the Snyder Cut is. Amidst the winter doldrums emerges director Michel Gondry's $120 million project THE GREEN HORNET. Based on classic radio and film serials and a series of comics, the superhero adventure stars Cameron Diaz, Seth Rogen and Jay Chou. Unfortunately, the film carries zero sting and is a commercial and critical flop.

 

Most people, myself included, surmised at the time that that was it for the adventures of Britt Reid and Kato on the big screen. However, this is Hollywood, superhero films rule the day, and movie studios are willing to resurrect and reboot any IP if they feel it will make money. Consequently, a reboot of THE GREEN HORNET is currently in development courtesy of Amasia Entertainment. Time to break out the fedoras and facemasks!

 

Amasia Entertainment has won exclusive motion picture rights to the crime fighting hero, with the aim of reviving the erstwhile character for the big screen. Amasia Entertainment falls under the banner of former Marvel Studios president Michael Helfant who as you might suspect, knows a thing or two about making superhero movies. The rights to Green Hornet have been passed around more often than an NBA basketball, making stops at Universal, Dimension, Columbia, and most recently Paramount. Up until last year a gritty and grounded take was being developed at Paramount with Gavin O'Connor set to helm the project. However, the rights lapsed in 2019 and here we are.

 

Edited August 18, 2020 by Bosco685

[Bosco685]

Quote

After engaging in a heated bidding war back in January, Universal has emerged victorious as the studio set to develop a new feature adaptation based on The Green Hornet and Kato. Universal is partnering with Amasia Entertainment for the project, which is based on heroes first created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker in 1936.

 

Arriving on the superhero scene before Superman, Green Hornet was one of radio's most inspired adventure programs. In time, Universal transformed the character's exploits into a series of 1940s movie serials. In 1966, 20th Century Fox let Green Hornet fly as a television series, with Bruce Lee starring as the justice seeker's trusty sidekick, Kato. The story of The Green Hornet finds The Daily Sentinel owner/publisher Britt Reid fighting crime while looking to dismantle a vast criminal underworld. Together with his partner Kato, Green Hornet uses his nose for news, an assortment of sweet weapons, and a car that would make James Bond jealous, named The Black Beauty, to bring villains to their knees.

 

Michael Helfant, the former President of Marvel Studios, and Bradley Gallo, will produce the film for Amasia.

 

Previously, Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg adapted, executive produced The Green Hornet for the silver screen in 2011. Rogen starred as the film's title character, with Jay Chou (FEARLESS) kicking as Kato. A sequel was on the table after the original earned close to $228 million at the worldwide box office, though concerns about cost eventually clipped the project's wings.

 

“The Green Hornet is one of the most iconic and beloved superhero tales ever created, and it has entertained generations of fans in every form of storytelling.  We are thrilled to be partnering with Michael, Bradley, and the entire Amasia team to launch an exciting new cinematic world for Britt Reid, Kato, and the Black Beauty, and we can’t wait to share it with global audiences soon,” said Universal Pictures President Peter Cramer.

 

“Universal will be a great home for our new Green Hornet and Kato. The team at Universal share our passion & enthusiasm for the property and will devote the resources to launch a truly global franchise. And, it’s very cool that Universal was the original distributor of the 1940’s movie serials. Our goal is to make a film that existing fans will love, and new fans will love to discover. With Universal, it feels like we are merging the past and the future, creating a contemporary version of the franchise that is fresh and exciting while respecting its long legacy and history. I can’t wait,” Helfant added.

 

Last but certainly not least, Gallo chimed in about the project by saying: “The team at Universal completely understands the creative direction we want for The Green Hornet brand.  Their sensibilities and relationships with writers, directors and actors are exceptional.  And, the confluence of America and Asia is so important. Who better to partner with than a company that has such a major presence on both continents? We also know that Universal will align with our ‘film geek’ sensibilities and offer up a vision which respects the iconic world of The Green Hornet.”

 

[Bosco685]

[Bosco685]

Quote

Less than a month after filmmaker, actor, executive producer, and uber-geek Kevin Smith (Masters of the Universe: Revelation) and kids programming producer WildBrain (Peanuts, Teletubbies, Inspector Gadget) announced they were teaming up for an animated take on The Green Hornet, Smith posted an update on production- and it doesn't look like Smith's wasting any time getting started. On Monday evening, Smith tweeted that he had turned in a 20-page outline to WildBrain for the first season, saying he was inspired by the "artwork pack" they sent over while making a very bold comparison when describing the show's "fresh" yet familiar look.

 

The family-friendly series follows the modern adventures of a re-imagined Green Hornet and Kato: now the grown son of the original Green Hornet and the daughter of the original Kato. Together, they battle crime throughout Century City- with help from the Green Hornet's ultra-high-tech car, Black Beauty. Smith and WildBrain will shop the project to broadcast, cable, and streaming services.

 

"It's an honor to escort the legendary Green Hornet and Kato into their very own animated series for the first time in the rich history of these iconic pop culture characters," said Smith in a statement when the news was announced last month. "We'll be telling a tale of two Hornets – past and future – that spans generations and draws inspiration from a lifetime spent watching classic cartoons and amazing animation like Batman: The Animated Series, Heavy Metal, and Super Friends. I can't believe WildBrain gave me this job and I can't thank them enough for the opportunity to extend my childhood a little longer."

 

Though created by George W. Trendle for radio in the 1930s, the franchise might best be known for the 1966 live-action television series that introduced North American audiences to martial arts superstar Bruce Lee. Seth Rogen would go on to write and star in a 2011 film adaptation, directed by Michael Gondry. Smith's history with the franchise goes back over 15 years, beginning with a feature film screenplay in 2004 that was never made (but would be made into a comic book series in 2010).

 

"We're thrilled to embark on a new animated Green Hornet series with Kevin, who has set up an incredibly rich world with a cast of amazing characters – especially Kato, who is no longer just a sidekick but is now a strong female partner to the Green Hornet," said Stephanie Betts, WildBrain EVP Content and Current Series, in a statement. "With his ingenious talent and passion for superheroes and classic franchises, Kevin is the perfect creator to update the Green Hornet. We're excited to share the new Green Hornet and Kato with audiences worldwide."

 

[Bosco685]

 

[Bosco685]

Quote

One of the more highly sought after open directing jobs may have just been filled as Sources tell Deadline that Leigh Whannell is in negotiations to direct The Green Hornet And Kato for Universal. Execs have been meeting with directors over the past couple of weeks but insiders close to the meetings felt as soon as Whannell threw his name in the mix he had the edge as the studio has wanted to get back in business with him after he delivered Invisible Man pic to critical acclaim and box-office success. The studio got a -script in from David Koepp early this year they are high on and once a deal closes the film should be fast-tracked to the pre-production stages.