To fill the empty director's chair Doug Belgrad and Matt Tolmach, presidents of Columbia Pictures has announced today that they are in negotiations with Michel Gondry to fill that seat. Seth Rogen & Evan Goldberg will be writing the screenplay as well as executive produce. Neal H. Moritz will be producing the film through his Original Film production company. Green Hornet is scheduled to begin shooting this summer and is set for release June 25, 2010. The film will be executive produced by Michael Grillo.
Gondry is best known for his work on Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless mind. Commenting on the announcement, Tolmach states, "From the very beginning, Seth, Evan, and Neal wanted this film to stand out from the pack with its originality. You couldn't ask for a better director than Michel Gondry to bring that to life." Tolmach is right about that, what better way to make a comic film stand out by hiring a successful dramatic director. Moritz added, "We're huge fans of Michel Gondry. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and all his films are as daring as they are extraordinary, fueled by creative ideas that spring from his unique world view. Our first rule, always, is to make the movie that we want to see, and that couldn't be truer than with Michel bringing his stylish and original touch to the helm."
Gondry chimed in and had this to say "I'm very excited about The Green Hornet and all that I hope to bring to it. This story has always been close to me and now Seth & Evan have written a script that is both funny and real - the best of both worlds. I cannot wait to further collaborate with them on it."
Regardless of who the director is the films star is Seth Rogan. Audiences will automatically conclude that this film is like his others and not to be taken seriously. Who knows,,, that may be the direction that they want to take this film. In 1966, The Green Hornet was turned into a television series starring Van Williams in the Star role with Bruce Lee as Kato. The show ran for one season.