SPOTLIGHT Before the planet Krypton exploded, before Bruce


Wayne’s parents were shot before his eyes, and way before Peter Parker got bitten by a radioactive spider, there was The Green Hornet! In comic books, radio programs, film serials, and television shows, The Green Hornet has been fighting crime since his debut in 1936. Britt Reid and his sidekick/valet Kato have fought crime in almost every medium but are only now doing so in a feature film. The character was originally the subject of a radio


serial similar to those of fellow crime fighters, The Lone Ranger and The Shadow. The radio series kicked off each week with a familiar theme of a buzzing hornet to the music of “Flight of the Bumblebee.” In each episode the Green Hornet and Kato would fight crime in much the same way as super heroes. but with the added twist pretending to be criminals in order to mix and mingle among the wicked element. The radio series spawned a string of film serials and in the ‘60s, a television program. Although lasting only one season from 1966-67,


The Green Hornet TV show is how many people best remember the character. Inspired by the success of the Batman series, producers decided the time was ripe for another costumed crime fighter. The show was typical 1960s fare, and featured Van Williams in the title role. It is best remembered as the show that launched the film career of martial artist Bruce Lee, who played the role of Kato. Although the show only lasted a season, it sparked interest in the Chinese American’s career and showcased his martial arts talents. Despite the fact that The Green Hornet had mastered almost every other form of entertainment media, there had never been a Green Hornet feature film... Until now. Languishing in “development hell” for more than 15


years, the film finally got off the ground when producer Neal Moritz acquired the rights to the character in 2007. Shortly thereafter Seth Rogen was hired to star as the title character and also to co-write the screenplay along with Evan Goldberg. Long time fans of the char- acter, Rogen and Goldberg prepared for the task by re- watching every episode of the 1960s television series. The final result has been compared to the Indiana Jones movies, which were likewise inspired by old radio and film serials. Rogen and Goldberg, who have known each other


since they were children in Canada, have been fans of the character for a long time. At a Comic-Con panel last year Rogen told the audience, “When me and him [Goldberg] were kids we used to watch The Green Hor- net show. It was on after Batman...but honestly more than anything we wanted to write a movie about a hero and a sidekick and the relationship between them and try to explore that, and we just realized that The Green Hornet was the perfect movie to do that with.” In the current Green Hornet adaptation, Seth Rogen


plays Britt Reid, a spoiled, rich playboy who has never done anything with his life except party and spend his media mogul father’s money. He starts out as a man with no skills, no responsibilities, and few if any deep thoughts. This all changes one day when his father dies, leaving Britt in charge of his media empire and fortune. Britt slowly begins to realize that there is more to life than endless parties. In his new role as a newspaper publisher, he begins to be exposed to the evil that exists in the world, and he decides to do something about it. Jay Chou is Kato, Reid’s chauffeur, mechanic and va- let. Kato has mad skills as a martial artist and engineer.


He initially has little respect for his employer but after Britt has his “awakening” he allows himself to be talked into assisting Reid in his battle against crime with one caveat—he will not wear tights! He also designs the Hornet’s classic vehicle, The Black Beauty, as well as their assorted crime fighting gadgets. Chou, who is a famous star in China and other Asian


countries, is a relative unknown in the United States, but Rogen knew right away that Chou was perfect for the part. The actor’s demeanor also set the tone for how the character would be interpreted in the film. In an inter-


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RAGE monthly | JANUARY 2011


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Finally Conquers


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