A few years ago, we learned that The Green Hornet and Kato, the new cinematic take to the classic The Green Hornet series, is in the works at Universal Pictures. However, since then, we haven't heard any updates regarding the project. Now, it looks like it is officially moving forward as they have found the person to spearhead the film.
Deadline has reported that The Invisible Man director Leigh Whannell is in negotiations to direct The Green Hornet and Kato. Universal Pictures executives have been meeting with several directors in the past couple of weeks. Whannell eventually threw himself in the mix and became the leading contender as the studio wants to work with him again after the success that he brought to The Invisible Man for them.
Whannell's vision for the film is expected to be a more serious action thriller. The studio has also received the script from David Koepp that they are high on. Once the deal closes, the film is likely to be fast-tracked to the pre-production stages. The project has been in the works since 2020 when the studio optioned the rights from Amasia Entertainment.
In case you're not familiar, The Green Hornet started as a radio program in the 1930s before it was adapted into comic books starting in the 1940s and a popular TV series in the 1960s which co-starred Bruce Lee as Kato and introduced him to the American audience. A feature film adaptation was released in 2011 that starred Seth Rogen, Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, and Christoph Waltz which received mixed to negative responses.
It is exciting to hear that Whannell has been tapped to direct the film since he has shown in The Invisible Man and Upgrade that he is one of the most exciting filmmakers today and is capable of helming a thrilling film. He is certainly an interesting choice for The Green Hornet and Kato and it looks like he will have a very different take than the 2011 film.
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Universal Pictures has not set a release window for The Green Hornet and Kato. We will keep you updated on any development regarding the project.
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