Why This Movie Has A Chance

[Invisiboy]

I'm hoping the trolls here are less hostile than the ones on IMDb.

First off, let me be clear, I have never been nor am I a fan of Seth Rogen's previous work. The only reason I'm bothering with this is because it looks like it will be very different from the work he has done in the past, and in terms of movies, "different" always interests me.

Anyway, on to why this movie has a chance (and why it doesn't look like typical Seth Rogen):

The common defense of Rogen is "he's lost a lot of weight" and "Michael Keaton was also in comedies before he did Batman". To the first one: the weight loss is only one aspect of the change. The common image of Seth is "fat, beard, afro, glasses, speaks in gravelly surfer dude slang". That image has gradually been traded for a more well-scrubbed one in his last two movies: for both Observe and Report and Funny People, he trimmed the afro, shaved the beard, took off the glasses, and spoke a little softer in places. While we have not yet seen this new face combined with his significantly slimmer frame, as we probably will in the movie, it is possible that he will look the part much more when we do.

On the second one: Michael Keaton is a bad example, as he is easily refuted with Clean and Sober. A better example is Heath Ledger. When he was cast--and when the first official picture of him was released--fans didn't know what to think, and if they hadn't had Nolan and Bale to pin their hopes on, I'm sure the minimal dissent would have been much more intense and widespread. After all, this didn't look anything like the Joker they knew! The dissent was quieted only after trailers were released that showed that the Joker was still the same, just with different makeup. Rogen, unfortunately, has no Nolan and will have to endure the hate until he has enough footage to release a trailer, or at least some publicity stills.

Another concern is, regardless of appearance or precedent, can Seth act the part? While Britt Reid was never a complex character, he is certainly much quieter and classier than Rogen's previous characters. As of right now, there's no way to know if Seth can meet this challenge, but considering he's not a robot programmed to only play stoners, I won't rule out the possibility just yet.

As for Jay Chou, who has also been derided since being cast as Kato, there seems to be a misconception that, because some of his songs sound like modern pop music (he has experimented with many different genres), he is some sissy who doesn't know how to fight. Absurd: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K8H67khSeE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K8H67khSeE).

I doubt I need to defend Nic Cage as the gangster villain, and while I'm not crazy about Cameron Diaz, if she is given proper makeup and dredges up the charm she had in movies like The Mask, I'm sure I will be able to tolerate her.

I am open to disagreement and correction, so if you feel the need to offer either, freely do so below.

[Octoberist]

I think people underlook Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg's writing. Let's face it, they're good writers. AND Michel Gondry is probably the main reason why this movie has a freakin' chance. If it's not good, at least it'll look amazing.

[lou2099]

Hey, well said, Invisiboy . You make a fair assessment about Rogen that needs no more expounding from me.

Cage was a capable villain in Face Off, so he'll probably be good. But lately he's been overexposed . I just think a fresher, lesser used character actor would have been just as effective. Cameron Diaz is also overexposed and overrated. If she plays it straight like in Gangs of New York, it will be fine. Again, a fresher, lesser used character actress would have been my choice. Never heard of Jay Chou, I hope he does well.

[Invisiboy]

This is an improvement. The guy on the IMDb boards seemed to think the filmmakers actually cared what he thought of Seth.

[OctaviousINC]

I always loved the GH television series and a few years ago I picked up a TON of the old comics and I've come to love the character even more.

I'm not completely against this film. I liked the Black Beauty. Thought it looked great. After seeing Rogen in Observe and Report and Funny People it showed me he has some acting chops. Kato's shoes aren't hard to fill either. Diaz as a love interest? Whatever. That's fine. I'm kind of so-so on Cage.

But the main thing that worries me is the tone. I'm disappointed already that Rogen said it will have a good amount of humor. I'm not saying it should be The Crow, but GH was always a very serious character. When GH was on TV his show was serious and brooding. And Batman was campy and silly.

Now, years later, it seems it's being switched. Batman is the dark avenger and Green Hornet is..well...****ing Seth Rogen.

I'll hold my complete judgment until a see a few trailers and the film, but I hope this doesn't suck and it's AT LEAST a decent representation of the character.

[Invisiboy]

I always loved the GH television series and a few years ago I picked up a TON of the old comics and I've come to love the character even more.

I'm not completely against this film. I liked the Black Beauty. Thought it looked great. After seeing Rogen in Observe and Report and Funny People it showed me he has some acting chops. Kato's shoes aren't hard to fill either. Diaz as a love interest? Whatever. That's fine. I'm kind of so-so on Cage.

But the main thing that worries me is the tone. I'm disappointed already that Rogen said it will have a good amount of humor. I'm not saying it should be The Crow, but GH was always a very serious character. When GH was on TV his show was serious and brooding. And Batman was campy and silly.

Now, years later, it seems it's being switched. Batman is the dark avenger and Green Hornet is..well...****ing Seth Rogen.

I'll hold my complete judgment until a see a few trailers and the film, but I hope this doesn't suck and it's AT LEAST a decent representation of the character.

Actually, most of the comments from Seth that made it sound like he was writing another 'Pineapple Express' came before Stephen Chow left the project and have stopped since. Not only that, but as recently as Comic-Con 2009, Seth has made comments that seemed to suggest (to me, at least) that the film was going to largely be an action movie--or at least semi-serious:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzMgnswRbRk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5IQNTCBNRM

Also, I have watched some episodes of the old TV series (online--I'm not that old) and call me crazy, but I can actually see Seth pulling off something like that.

Congrats for being one of the few willing to wait on the trailer before jumping to conclusions.

[TheVileOne]

I dunno. Are we supposed to expect something like The Dark Knight and Batman?

Or something like 1960's Batman? I don't get it. Didn't Rogen say before it was going to be comedic?

I don't get it, what tone are they going for?

[OctaviousINC]

I dunno. Are supposed to expect something like The Dark Knight and Batman?

Or something like 1960's Batman? I don't get it. Didn't Rogen say before it was going to be comedic?

I don't get it, what tone are they going for?

The comics and original show were dark and brooding.

Rogen seems to want to make the movie all out action with comedy. Like Rush Hour or something.

[Invisiboy]

The comics and original show were dark and brooding.

Rogen seems to want to make the movie all out action with comedy. Like Rush Hour or something.

The one who apparently wanted to make it more of a comedy was Stephen Chow, and since he left, Seth's comments have indicated a more serious film. If the two YouTube videos I posted aren't working here are the links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CzMgnswRbRk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5IQNTCBNRM

This should settle the question of the film's tone.

[luca_frontino]

I wouldn't mind a today movie with the 60's Batman campiness.

[topdog1]

"I am happy to say that I will be seeing Tron Legacy instead! Go to hell Sony! Go to hell Seth Rogen!"

Yay! We need to kill Green Hornet right out of the box. There are too many quality REAL adaptations that need the theatre space. All stuff like Green Hornet does is give comic book adaptations a bad name.

Green Lantern? YES.

Campy Green Hornet? NO.

[Octoberist]

"I am happy to say that I will be seeing Tron Legacy instead! Go to hell Sony! Go to hell Seth Rogen!"

------

To whom ever who said that, that's kinda pathetic. So much anger

[Invisiboy]

"I am happy to say that I will be seeing Tron Legacy instead! Go to hell Sony! Go to hell Seth Rogen!"

Yay! We need to kill Green Hornet right out of the box. There are too many quality REAL adaptations that need the theatre space. All stuff like Green Hornet does is give comic book adaptations a bad name.

Green Lantern? YES.

Campy Green Hornet? NO.

Let me get this straight: we're talking about a movie with at least three bankable stars (Rogen, like him or not, Cage, and Diaz), a concept original by modern standards (hero beats bad guys--by working with them), and a provably talented filmmaker at the helm, and instead of cheering on Narnia or Harry Potter, you're pinning your hopes on the sequel to an obscure Disney movie that nobody remembers? If you're going to use those tactics, at least pick something people might actually go see.

[Octoberist]

OMG, Inivisiboy...

Honestly, is a fanboy war needed here? Why not see both movies?

[Party Crasher]

Yeah, hi. I signed up today after posting some comments on Superherohypes news report on the Kato Pics. Just wanted to say that im actually looking forward to this and got called all sorts of names. Sign me up with being fed up with the trolls too. :P

[Invisiboy]

OMG, Inivisiboy...Honestly, is a fanboy war needed here? Why not see both movies? I wasn't trying to start a fanboy war. Though my tone may have been a little harsh, I just meant that on the scale of Movies That Will Crush The Green Hornet, Harry Potter and Narnia are much higher up than Tron Legacy, being that the former two have much more solid and widespread fanbases than the latter, and those wanting the film to be crushed should at least pick a worthy contender.. This is in no way meant as a dis to the folks who made the original a success back in the '80s and will probably do so again with the sequel.Yeah, hi. I signed up today after posting some comments on Superherohypes news report on the Kato Pics. Just wanted to say that im actually looking forward to this and got called all sorts of names. Sign me up with being fed up with the trolls too. :P Welcome to the Hype and congrats for being open-minded.

[C. Lee]

I wouldn't call TRON obscure.

The Harry Potter movie will do well, not so sure about the next Narnia movie though.

The Hornet will most likely either be a mega hit or a big disappointment. The casting of Rogen has split fans on the movie.

[Party Crasher]

I wasn't trying to start a fanboy war. Though my tone may have been a little harsh, I just meant that on the scale of Movies That Will Crush The Green Hornet, Harry Potter and Narnia are much higher up than Tron Legacy, being that the former two have much more solid and widespread fanbases than the latter, and those wanting the film to be crushed should at least pick a worthy contender.. This is in no way meant as a dis to the folks who made the original a success back in the '80s and will probably do so again with the sequel.Welcome to the Hype and congrats for being open-minded.

Thanks! Nice to be able to discuss like civilized human beings instead of a shouting match. The way i see it, this movie is a win-win situation really. If its bad...Well, at least The Green Hornet tv show will finally come out on Dvd and or Blue Ray. Or Green ray. :woot: Oh and Tron Legacy is gonna rock. No speculation needed there. Jeff Bridges is always good.:yay:

[Party Crasher]

.Welcome to the Hype and congrats for being open-minded.

Uh. I was going to quote this text. Sorry, im new to this. :huh:

But im learning! :word:

[san15]

Nic Cage dropped out of the movie. Who will they cast as the new villan? I think they may need to push back the release date yet again. The Green Hornet may fall over the rader. I wish it was the other way around where Seth Rogen dropped out of the project. I still think Rogen is miscast (I'm sorry) but it's true.

[Invisiboy]

"Dropped out" is a pretty strong term, considering he was never officially cast in the first place.

If they do move the release date again, it will probably be because they don't feel they're big enough to fight Harry and Narnia.

Seth Rogen may be miscast as Van Williams playing Britt Reid, but we don't know yet if that is what Rogen is going for. It's possible that Rogen and Goldberg may have done a little reworking of the character (and not necessarily as a clownish buffoon).

[Party Crasher]

Its gonna be an action comedy and im fine with that.

Seth rogen as Van Williams, as Britt Reid would be horrible casting. I hope the people in charge arent THAT stupid. I HOPE. NOW...Seth Rogen as a Reid that no-one would suspect being the hornet, especially if they go with the 40s mask? Well, thats a casting i dont have a problem with! Im just happy that the character gets recognized!

I literally know 2 people that knows who the green hornet is. One of them is my BROTHER. Kevin Smith was the only one talking about this character for a long time. Rogen is buddies with Kevin smith. Thats how i guess this came about. And once again. If the movie stinks...Hopefully we will get dvds of the tv show. But...
I think this is gonna be a fun action movie. A block buster? No. But i dont care. I dont get any of that money anyway. People that want a hitmovie to bash other people with. Like:

"My franchise is better than yours because it made so and so much $..."

I have a feeling this wont be it. Look for Tron legacy though.
Thats gonna make mad money.

Hey i could be wrong though. Maybe it'll pull in more bank than spidey.

Too bad about Cage. He would have been a great badguy.

[Invisiboy]

It seems Cristoph Waltz, who played Col. Hans Landa in Inglorious Basterds, has been cast in the role Nic Cage would have played, which has been named as Chudnofsky.

Christoph Waltz to Play Green Hornet Villain!
Source:Deadline Hollywood (http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/christoph-waltz-to-be-villain-in-green-hornet/)
September 14, 2009


http://superherohype.com/nextraimages/waltzgreenhornet.jpgChristoph Waltz, who stole the show in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=45811), has been cast as the villain in Columbia Pictureshttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/2.gif (http://www.superherohype.com/news/greenhornetnews.php?id=8686#)' The Green Hornet (http://www.comingsoon.net/films.php?id=19507)! Deadline Hollywood (http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/christoph-waltz-to-be-villain-in-green-hornet/) reports:

I'm told that ICM's actor Christoph Waltz who won Best Actor at the Cannes Film Festival for playing a Nazi in Inglourious Basterds (and is a shoo-in for an Oscar nomination) has now been cast as villain Chudnofsky in Sony's The Green Hornet opposite Seth Rogen and Cameron Diaz.

The Michel Gondry-directed comic book adaptation is scheduled for a December 17 release.
Now things are getting interesting.

[mclay18]

I'm going to give this movie a chance. It has a GREAT supporting cast, an interesting director, and a solid Kato (I don't get the anti-Chou vibe). I'm just not sold on Rogen... yet.

If Sony markets the film well and the movie gets good reviews and/or good WOM, I'll check it out.

[Hmarrs]

Look at this can you believe this????
http://www.amalgamdigital.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/seth-rogen-green-hornet.jpg
One of my favorites ruined!!!!!
This is just awefull!!!!!!!!

[Invisiboy]

Look at this can you believe this????
http://www.amalgamdigital.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/seth-rogen-green-hornet.jpg
One of my favorites ruined!!!!!
This is just awful!!!!!!!!

Actually, it's a little more like this:

The Original Hornet and Katohttp://blog.oregonlive.com/madaboutmovies/2008/09/large_green%20hornet.jpg

Seth in Costume (I'm assuming the mask comes later)http://www.jfxonline.com/wp-content/uploads/9-17-09SR3.jpg

Kato Costume (Worn by stunt double)http://superherohype.com/nextraimages/greenhornetinla4.jpg
Kato

http://scifiwire.com/assets_c/2009/08/Green_Hornet_Jay_Chou-thumb-550x327-22057.jpg


Feeling better now?

[Hmarrs]

Actually, it's a little more like this:

The Original Hornet and Katohttp://blog.oregonlive.com/madaboutmovies/2008/09/large_green%20hornet.jpg

Seth in Costume (I'm assuming the mask comes later)http://www.jfxonline.com/wp-content/uploads/9-17-09SR3.jpg

Kato Costume (Worn by stunt double)http://superherohype.com/nextraimages/greenhornetinla4.jpg
Kato

http://scifiwire.com/assets_c/2009/08/Green_Hornet_Jay_Chou-thumb-550x327-22057.jpg


Feeling better now?
NOPE!!! Seth is all wrong for the part!!!!

[BATS N' HORNETS]

You guys need to know the history of the character b4 u judge... Stop spouting off the TV SHOW...

quit comparing! ! !

You've seen the car... A+.

You've seen Kato's suit... A+.

Brit might be a bit of a goof, but if the mask covers Rogan's face HE COULD BE DARK & BROODING!

if they wanted it to be COMPLETE CHEESEBALL, do you really think Rogan would have lost all that weight?

[BATS N' HORNETS]

besides, the set looks good & Gondry is a serious director. Do you think he would tarnish his rep with the biggest ripoff since SUPERHERO MOVIE?

[Hmarrs]

You guys need to know the history of the character b4 u judge... Stop spouting off the TV SHOW...

quit comparing! ! !

You've seen the car... A+.

You've seen Kato's suit... A+.

Brit might be a bit of a goof, but if the mask covers Rogan's face HE COULD BE DARK & BROODING!

if they wanted it to be COMPLETE CHEESEBALL, do you really think Rogan would have lost all that weight?
Sorry dude just not feeling it.

[BATS N' HORNETS]

okay now if you click that link that Party Smasher provided, you can see Rogen as the Hornet (w/o the mask)

[Punk&ComicBooks]

Ya know i think one major element that plays a part in peoples lack of faith is the fact that Rogen said there will be a fair amount of comedy in it but we`re also told a lot of action as well and we can definatley already believe that based on the pics, the stunt footage, and especially black beauty (DID YOU SEE THE GUNS ON THAT CAR?!!!) etc and i`m pretty sure theres more to come. With all that said you got to ask yourself what kind of tone is this movie going to take if it has some humor but big hollywood action as well? My guess is this- Has anyone ever seen any of the spiderman movies? I certainly recall a lot of action but not being completley serious as well. I remember a lot of parts in all three movies that made the whole audience chuckle myself included when I was in the movie theatre. So I would guess thats where we`re heading with the green hornet? I mean i really dont know why thats so hard to think about. If you simply dont like that kind of humor and prefer full blown serious action and suspense then thats fine but I dont think people are understanding what Rogen said very well because when he says "comedy" or "humor" they automatically think along the lines of his past work. And what bothers me the most is that after this movie comes out and shocks everyone and everyone loves it all the haters, pessimists, and skeptics will either dissappear, pretend like they never said anything bad or just plain out not have anything to say except "When does this come out on dvd?"

[BATS N' HORNETS]

you're very right & you have good points.

While I am one of this film's biggest supporters, I'm still kinda hoping we won't get Batman & Robin.

[BATS N' HORNETS]

Go to my new thread... "Proof that GH won't be a comedy"

I posted an interview that says that it is strictly an action film, with slight comedy!

[BATS N' HORNETS]

double post

[OctaviousINC]

you're very right & you have good points.

While I am one of this film's biggest supporters, I'm still kinda hoping we won't get Batman & Robin.

Well, from the set pictures we have so far so good (I spotted no neon or ice skating goons) and there's no hornet nips. So that ALONE might make it better than B and R :oldrazz: