The name Jay Chou may not be very familiar to American audiences yet, but the award-winning musician, singer, producer, actor and director from Taiwan is hoping that a stint in Seth Rogen and Michel Gondry's adaptation of the classic radio serial character The Green Hornet will help put him on the map over here.
Chou will portray Kato, the Green Hornet's trusty sidekick, in the movie, a role that was famously portrayed by
Bruce Lee in the '60s TV series. In a recent interview, Chou said that the opportunity to
follow in the footsteps of Lee was a big part of his decision to take the role:
"I had to do it. It's a role that Bruce Lee once played, plus it's a positive Asian role which is rare in Hollywood.
"Over [in the States], I'm a newbie. There is a lot of waiting around before my scenes and I cannot speak too loudly. I have to be well-behaved. But overall, it was fun, and a good but different experience. Anyway, I went to Hollywood not just to make it big and develop my film career. I went there to also introduce my music to the Americans. So that they will notice me."
In a separate interview, Chou said that he had fun working on
The Green Hornet, but that the Hollywood-style production
tried his patience:
"In Asia, we get through a movie very quickly. We get the script, we get working and it's done. In Hollywood, they have rehearsals that go on for half a month before they begin shooting and shooting can go on for months."
The Green Hornet was adapted for the screen by Rogen and his frequent collaborator, Evan Goldberg, and also stars Cameron Diaz, Christoph Waltz, Edward Furlong and Edward James Olmos.
The Green Hornet is scheduled to open December 22, 2010.