Wednesday, October 28

• Seth Rogen Updates The Green Hornet

  At a recent press junket for the TV movie Monsters Vs. Aliens: Mutant Pumpkins From Outer Space, Seth Rogen spoke about The Green Hornet, which he is currently shooting and co-wrote with Evan Goldberg (Superbad). Rogen told MovieWeb that it is a relief to finally be working on the oft-troubled movie.

  It is [a relief]. An enormous one; constantly. But we still have to make it awesome. So the true relief isn't there yet.

  With Stephen Chow dropping out as director and co-star, the release being pushed back five months, and Nicolas Cage also quitting the project, The Green Hornet has had it's share of troubles before it even started production. At one point, Rogen joked that The Green Hornet was never going to be made but would be promoted "for the next 10 years." Now that Rogen and director Michel Gondry are finally working on the movie, Rogen doesn't feel that the pressure's off.

  I will blame Gondry if it sucks though. No, I'm just joking. No we are all in it, you know. I take a huge amount of the pressure. I understand that. I understand that. I understand that it's my face on it, you know, when it literally comes out even if, you know, even if it sucks for another reason, people will blame me and that's why I have to be so involved to try to make sure that it doesn't suck. But honestly a lot of your work is done before now. It's hiring the right people and making sure all the elements are in place. And then, you know, trusting them to do what you hired them to do. But I'm there all the time so I can make sure everything is going well. There's a lot of pressure. I understand that. I've been talking about this movie for years and if it sucks then no one will be more disappointed than me, believe me.

  Rogen also revealed a new addition to the cast: Edward Furlong. "Edward Furlong is in the movie, yes," said Rogen. With his career a long way from his debut in T2, Furlong likely won't quit the project. Rogen would not reveal what role Furlong will be playing.

  
  
  Next Showing: The Green Hornet opens December 17, 2010

  Posted 10/28/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Edward Furlong | Michel Gondry | Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Monday, October 12

• Heavy Metal Band Anvil Gets Cameo in Green Hornet

  It seems Seth Rogen and Michel Gondry are Anvil fans. The LA Times writes that the heavy metal band, which achieved its peak popularity in the '80s, will get a cameo in The Green Hornet. The newest adaptation based on the comic-book hero is being directed by Gondry (Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) and stars Rogen, who also helped draft the script.

  Apparently, Anvil will make an appearance in a rock club as themselves. They'll play some songs and then ... explode? Well, that's what's written. We'll have to wait and see what that means.

  The band was the focus of a recent critically acclaimed documentary directed by Sacha Gervasi. A tragicomic then-and-now look at faded stardom, Anvil! The Story of Anvil is often times cited as a real-life counterpart to This Is Spinal Tap. The movie won an Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature at the LA Film Festival. You can see the trailer below.

  
  
  

  The Story of Anvil - Trailer

  Documentary about the once-famous heavy metal band

  Posted 10/12/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Michel Gondry | Sacha Gervasi | Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet | Anvil! The Story of Anvil

Wednesday, October 7

• Failure of Zack and Miri Changed Keven Smith's Habits ... But Not How You Might Expect

  Considering Kevin Smith's dearth of stoner comedies, it may surprise you that he recently admitted to the Huffington Post that pot smoking wasn't a past time he regularly enjoyed. He decided to change his pot smoking ways after Zack and Miri Make a Porno bombed at the box office, though. Smith says he took the movie's failure hard.

  I was depressed, man. I wanted that movie to do so much better. I'm sitting there thinking "That's it, that's it, I'm gone, I'm out. The movie didn't do well and I killed Seth Rogen's career! This dude was on a roll until he got in with the likes of me. I'm a career killer! Judd [Apatow]'s going to be pissed, the whole Internet's going to be pissed because they all like Seth, and the only reason they like me anymore is because I was involved with Seth! And now I f**kin' ruined that."

  It was Rogen that Smith claims introduced him to his new herbal lifestyle, a development that Smith told the New York Post has been a positive choice for a career he felt was slumping. His next project, A Couple of Dicks, is a buddy cop comedy starring Bruce Willis and Tracey Morgan. It marks the first movie Smith has directed but didn't write.

  I was like "If I write a movie right now it's going to be about a filmmaker who made a movie that enough people didn't go see and it's really sad." You know, I'm not gonna write that. So this Couple Of Dicks script fell on my desk and I was like "Wow, if I had written a buddy cop movie this is exactly what it would be like."

  Think Lethal Weapon and Beverly Hills Cop. It's totally fun and very warm but let's be honest, it's not a movie that has a searing message at its center. It's pretty much the movie you imagine in your head but like 40% funnier.

  After Dicks, Smith will move onto a movie about another love in his life, hockey. Hit Somebody, inspired by the Warren Zevon song of the same name, will follow a man who wants to play hockey but is only good at beating people up. It sounds a lot like Happy Gilmore, but Smith says the movie will not be a comedy.

  It's not like my normal s**t. Some people heard of it and were like "Oh, you're gonna do a Slapshot" and I'm like "No." I mean it's set in that era [The 70's] but I'm going for something a little else, a little different on this one.

  A Couple of Dicks opens February 26, 2010. Hit Somebody has no release date currently scheduled, though Smith recently Tweeted that Wil Wheaton will be joining the cast.

  
  

  Posted 10/07/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Kevin Smith | Wil Wheaton | Seth Rogen | Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Wednesday, September 30

• Bomb Scare on Set of Green Hornet

  It seems the production of Seth Rogen's Green Hornet is destined to run into snags at every turn.

  TMZ.com reports that production was brought to a screeching halt when someone spotted a metal object on the set. The crew took no chances and contacted authorities, who safely detonated the unidentified material with a robot.

  This comes just three weeks after TMZ posted this video of the Hornet's vehicle, "Black Beauty," colliding with a police car. It was never confirmed whether the collision was unintentional, although it certainly appeared to be an accident. Add that to the numerous delays in pre-production, during which it wasn't even clear whether the movie would see the light of day, and Rogen must be wondering if his project is marked for disaster.

  Despite all the setbacks, the release date for the movie is still set at December 17, 2010.

  
  

  Posted 09/30/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Wednesday, September 9

• Nicolas Cage Will Not Star in Green Hornet

  

  It's a Nicolas Cage news spree! Just a week ago Cage jumped on-board for Patrick Lussier's revenge flick, Drive Angry. And just yesterday, he joined another revenge movie — Roger Donaldson's Hungry Rabbit Jumps.

  Now, The Hollywood Reporter writes that Cage has dropped out of the upcoming adaptation of The Green Hornet, starring Seth Rogen and directed by Michel Gondry. A few days ago, Sony announced that the movie would go forward shortly and that Cage was in negotiations to portray the villain. Apparently, the negotiations failed.

  So just one week into production, The Green Hornet hits another snag. There was no announcement regarding a replacement for Cage, although we can only hope the issue gets resolved sooner rather than later.

  
  

  Posted 09/09/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Michel Gondry | Nicolas Cage | Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Sunday, September 6

• The Ups and Downs of The Green Hornet

  With all of the inconsistent news coming out about Seth Rogen's live-action The Green Hornet adaptation, it seems madmen are running Sony's PR department. In August, Rogen joked that he was "never gonna make" the movie, only promote it. This seemed merely flippant at the time, but only a few days later the film's release was pushed back, giving credence to his statement.

  Things appeared to be turning around when Sony released an official statement listing cast additions that included Jay Chou, Cameron Diaz, Edward James Olmos, Tom Wilkinson, and Nicolas Cage. Then, Disney announced it would release Tron Legacy in time to compete with The Green Hornet's release, stirring up rumors that Rogen's hero picture might get an even later release.

  Almost as if in response to the rumors and speculation, the last couple days have seen a plethora of "leaked" pictures from the set of The Green Hornet, including shots Chou as Kato, and on- and off-camera shots of Diaz with Rogen. All of the photos appear to have been taken guerilla-style, but it's also possible that Sony is allowing the pictures to get out to help quiet some of the negative rumors about the production.

  
  
  Next Showing: The Green Hornet is scheduled to open July 9, 2010
  

  The Green Hornet - Interview

  Seth Rogen "On the movie"

  Posted 09/06/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Cameron Diaz | Seth Rogen | Jay Chou | The Green Hornet

Thursday, September 3

• Sony Confirms Green Hornet Production and Casting Decisions

  

  There are plenty of reasons for fans to be excited about the upcoming adaptation of The Green Hornet. For one, it's being helmed by Michel Gondry, who lent his visual panache to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep. So we can expect an eye-opener. Secondly, Seth Rogen has invested himself fully in the project: He will not only executive produce and write the script, but also star (in the title role, no less). But unfortunately, the big news as of late has been the movie's unstable release date. After being pushed back several times, the pic is now tentatively scheduled for a December 2010 release, much to the chagrin of rabid fans.

  Not to worry, though, because Rogen, Gondry, and company are moving forward anyway. Screen Rant reports that Sony released an official statement saying that the movie is a go. We can thus assume that production will begin shortly, and we will undoubtedly see oodles of production photos, stills, maybe even the odd interview or two.

  Sony also commented on the movie's cast, possibly to dispel any ongoing rumors:

  In addition to Rogen, the film also stars Taiwanese actor-pop star JayChou as Kato, Cameron Diaz (Charlie's Angels, What Happens in Vegas), Edward James Olmos (Battlestar Galactica), David Harbour (Revolutionary Road), and Tom Wilkinson (Valkyrie). Nicolas Cage is also in negotiations to appear in the film.

  So, it appears Nicolas Cage is indeed still in the running to play the criminal mastermind Mr. X. We'll keep you updated as we hear more.

  
  

  Posted 09/03/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Cameron Diaz | Michel Gondry | Nicolas Cage | Edward James Olmos | David Harbour | Tom Wilkinson | Seth Rogen | Jay Chou | The Green Hornet

Sunday, August 30

• More Green Hornet Movie Trouble?

  

  Only days ago, actor Seth Rogen joked that the The Green Hornet movie would "never" get made and that he would simply "promote it for the next 10 years." It seemed like a tongue-in-cheek comment at the time, but now it seems that Rogen might have been revealing more than he was letting on.

  Sony Pictures originally announced that The Green Hornet would be released June 25, 2010, but that date was pushed back to July 9, 2010, so that it wouldn't compete with a movie by Rogen's friend and Funny People co-star Adam Sandler. Now it appears The Green Hornet has been pushed back five months more to December 17, 2010, completely knocking it out of the summer movie season. There has been no official verification or explanation of this news, but it doesn't bode well for a film that has been in various stages of development for almost two decades.

  
  
  

  Reelz Clip

  Seth Rogen talks about the movie.

  Posted 08/30/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Friday, August 28

• Seth Rogen Jokes He Will Promote The Green Hornet Movie, Not Actually Make It

  If one film property has been stuck in a quagmire, it's The Green Hornet. A live-action film version of the classic pulp character has been rumored to be in development since the early '90s. It seemed like the movie was finally going to come together when it was announced in 2004 that Kevin Smith was working on a screenplay that he planned to direct, with Jake Gyllenhaal in the title role and Jet Li backing him up as Kato.

  After Smith's project fell apart, Sony Pictures announced on June 4, 2008, that, through Columbia Pictures, it was developing a feature film with funnyman Seth Rogen stepping in to wear the green fedora. Hong Kong superstar Stephen Chow was announced as the director of the project and was expected to also play Kato, but he dropped out due to creative differences. Recently, some other cast members have been added, including Nicolas Cage and Cameron Diaz. Most recently, Edward James Olmos announced at the Chicago Comic-Con that he will be appearing in the film.

  However, if you listen to Rogen, The Green Hornet might never get made. While promoting his latest film, Funny People, Rogen said:

  I've decided we're never gonna make [The Green Hornet]. We're just going to promote it for the next 10 years. It's really hard to make a big movie ... especially in this economy.

  
  
  Next Showing: The Green Hornet is scheduled to open July 9, 2010
  

  The Green Hornet - Interview

  Seth Rogen "On the movie"

  Posted 08/28/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Tuesday, August 18

• James McAvoy to Star with Seth Rogen in a Comedy About Cancer

  

  Variety reports that James McAvoy has signed on to star opposite Seth Rogen in a yet-to-be-titled comedy based on the book I'm With Cancer by Will Reiser. We'll hazard a guess, though, and say that there's a 50+% chance it'll be named I'm With Cancer — you'll never guess how we came up with it.

  McAvoy will play a 25-year-old who discovers he has cancer and must work to overcome it over a period of several years. The story is based on Reiser's own struggle with cancer in his mid-20s, and he has already written a screenplay adaptation of the novel.

  This will be McAvoy's first role since Wanted last summer. He also starred with Forest Whitaker in The Last King of Scotland and with Keira Knightley in Atonement.

  
  

  Posted 08/18/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: James McAvoy | Seth Rogen

Monday, August 10

• Edward James Olmos Joins The Green Hornet

  

  The Green Hornet cast just expanded by casting Jay Chou as Kato, and now Edward James Olmos announced at the Chicago Comic-Con he will be joining the cast as well.

  I'm on my way to do The Green Hornet. It'll be a lot of fun with Seth [Rogen], Nicolas Cage, and Cameron Diaz.

  Cage will be playing the villain, but what role Olmos will play is unknown at this time. However, his involvement should bring a rousing cheer from the fanboy community.

  The Green Hornet is the comic book and TV show adaptation that follows newspaper publisher and crime fighter Britt Reid and his martial arts expert sidekick, Kato. The movie will open two weeks later than planned on July 9, 2010. Michel Gondry will direct from Rogen's and writing partner Evan Goldberg's script.

  
  

  Posted 08/10/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Edward James Olmos | Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

• The Green Hornet Finally Casts Its Kato

  Confirmation has come in via Columbia Pictures that Taiwanese actor Jay Chou has been cast as Kato in Seth Rogen's The Green Hornet. Stephen Chow was previously attached to play the role that was originated by Bruce Lee, but dropped out early in July. Chou had this to say:

  It's an overwhelming experience to take on a role made famous by Bruce Lee.... I won't try to be Bruce Lee's Kato — I will try to bring my own interpretation to the part.

  Along with Rogen, Chou joins Rogen Nicolas Cage and Cameron Diaz in the movie, which is slated for a July 9, 2010 release.

  
  

  Posted 08/10/2009 by Jim

  Related: Seth Rogen | Jay Chou | The Green Hornet | The Green Hornet

Wednesday, July 22

• Nicolas Cage and Cameron Diaz in Talks to Star in Green Hornet

  

  Variety reports that Nicolas Cage and Cameron Diaz are both in negotiations with Columbia Pictures to star in Michel Gondry's upcoming adaptation of The Green Hornet.

  The movie already has Seth Rogen on board in the title role. If cast, Cage would play the villain, most likely the gangster Mr. X, and Diaz would portray the love interest of the Hornet's alter ego, newspaper publisher Britt Reid.

  Rogen wrote the screenplay for the movie along with Evan Goldberg and the two are also executive producing. Production begins this fall, with a release scheduled for July 9, 2010.

  
  

  Posted 07/22/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Cameron Diaz | Michel Gondry | Nicolas Cage | Seth Rogen | Evan Goldberg | The Green Hornet

• Seth Rogen Talks About Funny People

  We're just ten days away from the release of Funny People, the third movie from writer-director Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, The 40 Year Old Virgin), and star Seth Rogen recently spoke with MTV Movies about working on the movie and creating some of the jokes.

  Well, we largely wrote our own material. We did invite other stand-up comics to jam with us, and we'd all sit around together and write jokes. Our co-producers Andrew Cohen and Brendan O'Brien would also help us write the jokes ... I'm trying to remember which jokes actually made it into the movie. I came up with the "farting on the airplane" joke. I have to take credit for that.

  The aforementioned joke makes light of the fact that you can fart on an airplane, because no one will know you did it.

  Rogen was also asked about his recent weight loss in preparation for his role in The Green Hornet. One joke in Funny People says that overweight people aren't as funny when they lose weight. So naturally, Rogen was asked if he now feels unfunny.

  Honestly, I think it's a hilarious joke in the movie — and it was great how the movie called attention to [my weight loss], but I personally don't feel that. I'm actually way more funny now, because I'm hungry. And if comedy comes from pain, then I should be way funnier now than I ever was.

  
  

  Posted 07/22/2009 by Rich Z

  Related: Judd Apatow | Seth Rogen | Funny People

Wednesday, July 15

• Stephen Chow Hustles Out of The Green Hornet, Cameron Diaz May Jump in at Full Throttle

  Stephen Chow's role in The Green Hornet has been slowly disintegrating over the past year. First, Chow was to direct and co-star, then just co-star, and now Chow is entirely removed from the project due to "scheduling conflicts."

  Columbia pictures called Chow's exit "a mutual and amicable decision by both sides to move on," with the studio already "out to cast a new Kato." Director Michel Gondry and star Seth Rogen won't be left entirely stranded, though, as Cameron Diaz is in negotiations to join the movie, possibly as Rogen's love interest.

  Production on The Green Hornet begins in September. Rogen and Evan Goldberg wrote the script, which is an adaptation loosely based on the advntures of the masked hero from radio, a 60's TV show, and comic books.

  
  
  Next Showing: The Green Hornet opens July 9, 2010.

  Posted 07/15/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Michel Gondry | Seth Rogen | Stephen Chow | The Green Hornet

Monday, July 6

• The Green Hornet Gets a New Release Date

  Considering how long The Green Hornet has been in development, two more weeks isn't that long to wait. Sony has announced that it is moving the comedic action movie from its June 25, 2010 opening to make room for Adam Sandler's Grown Ups. The Green Hornet will instead arrive July 9, 2010.

  Initially written and directed by Kevin Smith, who eventually left the project, Green Hornet is now a vehicle for Seth Rogen, who co-wrote the script with Superbad writing partner Evan Goldberg. Stephen Chow was then going to direct, but also dropped out, leaving directing duties to Michael Gondry. Chow may still be involved with the movie, though, possibly playing the Green Hornet's partner Kato. Whew.

  
  

  Posted 07/06/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Michel Gondry | Seth Rogen | Evan Goldberg | The Green Hornet

Monday, May 18

• Eminem to Appear in Funny People

  With his career on the resurgence, rapper Eminem told VIBE magazine that 8 Mile is not the end of his involvement with the movie business:

  Will I end up doing another movie again? Probably yeah. I just did a cameo a few months ago with Adam Sandler and Seth Rogen in a Judd Apatow produced film. It's called Funny People.I kinda do a little cameo in that which was fun by the way. And 8 Mile was not a fun movie to shoot.

  Eminem won't be the only musician to appear in Funny People, with Bruce Springsteen also making a cameo.

  Here's the synopsis of Funny People, according to IMDB:

  When seasoned comedian George Simmons (Sandler) learns of his terminal, inoperable health condition, his desire to form a genuine friendship cause him to take a relatively green performer under his wing as his opening act.

  
  
  

  Reelz Clip

  Adam Sandler & Seth Rogen Star - Releasing July 31, 2009

  Posted 05/18/2009 by Ryan

  Related: Adam Sandler | Bruce Springsteen | Eminem | Seth Rogen | 8 Mile | Funny People

Wednesday, April 8

• Anna Faris Stuns at Observe and Report Premiere

  The co-star of Seth Rogen's latest vehicle, Observe and Report, Anna Faris turned heads at last night's premiere in Los Angeles. An actress since the age of 9, Faris has appeared in more than a dozen feature films, including the four Scary Movie movies, and with two comedic performances alongside Ryan Reynolds in Waiting and Just Friends. Faris appeared in several episodes during the final season of Friends and she received wider recognition as an actress following her appearnce in Brokeback Mountain.

  Written and directed by Jody Hill, Observe and Report also stars Ray Liotta (Revolver) and features an appearance by up-and-coming comedic actor Danny McBride (Eastbound and Down). While superficially similar to Kevin James' latest project, Paul Blart: Mall Cop, Observe and Report has been described as a darker, more mature film, with Rogen commenting:

  They're totally different movies.

  Observe and Report synopsis courtesy of Warner Bros.:

  At the Forest Ridge Mall, Head of security Ronnie Barnhardt (SETH ROGEN) patrols his jurisdiction with an iron fist. The master of his domain, he combats skateboarders, shoplifters and the occasional unruly customer while dreaming of the day when he can swap his flashlight for a badge and a gun.

  Ronnie's delusions of grandeur are put to the test when the mall is struck by a flasher. Driven by his personal duty to protect and serve the mall and its patrons, Ronnie seizes the opportunity to showcase his underappreciated law enforcement talents on a grand scale, hoping his solution to the crime will earn him a coveted spot at the police academy and the heart of his elusive girl Brandi (ANNA FARIS), the hot makeup counter clerk who won't give him the time of day.

  But his single-minded pursuit of glory launches a turf war with the equally competitive Detective Harrison (RAY LIOTTA) of the Conway Police, and Ronnie is confronted with the challenge of not only catching the flasher, but getting him before the real cops do.

  
  
  Next Showing: Observe and Report opens Friday, April 10

  Posted 04/08/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Anna Faris | Ray Liotta | Danny McBride | Seth Rogen | Jody Hill | Tropic Thunder | Scary Movie | Just Friends | Waiting ... | Pineapple Express

Wednesday, April 1

• Seth Rogen Will Play Steve Rogers in Captain America Film

  In a recent interview with Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel, it was revealed that Seth Rogen (Pineapple Express, Observe and Report) would be playing the role of Steve Rogers, the Army reject who is turned into the "Star-Spangled Avenger" through the ingestion of a "Super Soldier Serum," in the upcoming live-action First Avenger: Captain America film.

  This is not the first time that Rogen's name has popped up in association with a superhero genre film. His name has been attached to the live-action Green Hornet project for years now, with production set to begin in June of this year.

  Said Maisel:

  Seth Rogen is today's 'everyman,' someone that we can all relate to. He has a strength of character only hinted at in his previous roles.

  Maisel explained that Rogen had been chosen to play the character of Steve Rogers before he becomes Captain America and that it had not yet been decided whether an altogether different actor would be playing the post-powered Steve Rogers or whether CGI techniques, such as those used on Brad Pitt in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, would be used to "beef up" the portly actor.

  Sony and Marvel Studios are coming on strong in 2011, with three superhero genre films slated for release. Last month, it was announced that Spider-Man 4 would be released on May 6th, with Thor following shortly thereafter on June 17th, and First Avenger: Captain America debuting July 22nd. These release dates resulted in the pushing back of The Avengers July 15, 2011, opening to May 4, 2012.

  Happy April Fool's Day!

  
  
  Next Showing: First Avenger: Captain America debuts July 22, 2011

  Posted 04/01/2009 by BrentJS

  Related: Seth Rogen | First Avenger: Captain America | The Green Hornet | Observe and Report | Pineapple Express

Thursday, March 26

• Seth Rogen Updates The Green Hornet

  Everybody's favorite fat guy, Seth Rogan is slimming down and getting serious about The Green Hornet -- his first comic book movie. And he's given an update on its progress to SuperheroHype.com.

  On the start date:

  Right now the end of June. That is our tentative start date.

  About Stephen Chow's involvement:

  He's kind of our mascot. (laughs) He may be Kato. I'm not 100% sure if that's the case, but it's a very likely possibility. I'm not sure. Honestly, we're kind of in the very early phases right now. We're just putting those elements in place so I'm being honest. I honestly don't know yet.

  On sticking to the The Green Hornet's origins:

  He's actually the Lone Ranger's grandnephew. The Lone Ranger is owned by Jerry Bruckheimer so that probably limits the amount of involvement we can actually have in that movie. We were inspired by the original. We kind of took what we thought was good and left what we didn't. Honestly, we didn't feel any real obligation living up to the original because the radio plays totally different than the TV show which is different than the comic book. There is no real set way.

  
  

  Posted 03/26/2009 by Jim

  Related: Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Wednesday, February 25

• Gondry's A Go On The Green Hornet

  Columbia has hired Michel Gondry to direct The Green Hornet, a big-screen version of the 1930s radio show and 1960s TV show. Seth Rogen, who wrote the script with Evan Goldberg, is set to star as the Green Hornet, and Stephen Chow will play his sidekick, Kato.

  Chow (Kung Fu Hustle) was originally set to direct the movie himself, but he had some "creative differences" with Columbia suits. Gondry apparently wowed studio execs with his vision for the film, and it will be interesting to see how the kooky French director tackles such commercial fare. Let's just hope everyone knows what they're getting into and it doesn't turn into another Where the Wild Things Are, if and when the studio doesn't get a super-commercial picture out of indie director.

  
  
  Next Showing: The Green Hornet opens June 25, 2010

  Posted 02/25/2009 by Hailey

  Related: Michel Gondry | Seth Rogen | Stephen Chow | Where the Wild Things Are | The Green Hornet

Friday, December 19

• Chow Dumps Directing The Green Hornet, but Will Still be Kato

  Kung Fu Hustle actor/director Stephen Chow has left the director's chair due to "creative differences." Now there's a new one!

  He had signed on in September to direct and star as Kato, the role originated in the TV series by Bruce Lee. Although, Variety says that he's not leaving the project altogether, and will still portray the side-kicking side-kick.

  Earlier comments from star Seth Rogen made it sound as though Chow was close to convincing him into making the picture more comedic -- something that comic book movie fans feared. Whether or not this was the catalyst behind his losing the helm, the article does not say.

  Written by Rogen and Evan Goldberg, the studio is now "hustling" to find a new director to keep on schedule -- planning to begin production in spring 2009.

  
  

  Posted 12/19/2008 by reelz

  Related: Seth Rogen | Evan Goldberg | The Green Hornet

Friday, November 14

• Seth Rogen is the New Janeane Garofalo

  Ten years ago, cute but chubby comedian Janeane Garofalo famously lost weight in an effort to get better roles, then spent countless interviews beating herself up for scarfing down Hollywood's twisted values so willingly. Now, it's cute but chubby comedian Seth Rogen, who has famously lost weight for his role as a superhero in The Green Hornet who's filled with low-cal self-loathing for his new skinnier self: "I feel okay. No, I actually feel a little worse about myself. I feel like I would make fun of me. Like if I were just a guy who saw me on TV I'd be like, 'What did Seth Rogen do? He lost weight. What a sell-out.' I feel lame talking about what I eat now. I'm the type of guy who talks about his diet. What is that about? That's just like the lamest thing ever, I think (laughter). I hate what it has turned me into."

  
  

  Posted 11/14/2008 by reelz

  Related: Janeane Garofalo | Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Tuesday, November 4

• Monsters vs. Aliens Trailer Pops Up Early

  The trailer for Dreamworks/Paramount's Monsters vs. Aliens doesn't officially release until Thursday, but it has popped up a few days early on numerous sites around the web. Many have already been taken down, but if you head over to movie-list quickly, you might still catch it before it's gone.

  The campy sci-fi animated flick looks pretty amusing, opening with a man going through a series of invasive scans before being admitted into a high security government war room. The scan locations include both elbows and even his bum.

  MVA pays homage to the sci-fi movies of the '50s and '60s, from aliens and mad scientists to The Blob and Loch Ness monster . The voice cast includes Reese Witherspoon, Seth Rogen, Will Arnett and Paul Rudd. It will release in late March 2009 in both 3-D IMAX and standard theaters.

  
  

  Posted 11/04/2008 by reelz

  Related: Reese Witherspoon | Seth Rogen | Monsters vs. Aliens

Friday, September 19

• Chow Joins The Green Hornet as Director, Sidekick

  Setting the stage for what could potentially result in any number of on-set feuds, Stephen Chow (Kung Fu Hustle, Shaolin Soccer) has signed on for double-duty on Seth Rogen's big-screen adaptation of The Green Hornet, agreeing to both direct the film and co-star as the title character's sidekick, Kato. Chow isn't the only person on the project wearing more than one hat; in addition to playing the lead role, Rogen is also the film's co-writer (along with Superbad buddy Evan Goldberg) and executive producer.

  Which raises questions about how conflicts on the set of The Green Hornet might be solved. What will happen when, say, Rogen arrives on set to find that the normally reserved Kato suddenly has more lines than his boss? Or when Chow objects to Rogen's many ad-libs referring to his sidekick by the impromptu nickname "Evan?"

  It should make for an interesting shoot indeed.

  
  
  Next Showing: The Green Hornet opens June 25, 2010.

  Posted 09/19/2008 by reelz

  Related: Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Tuesday, August 5

• Seth Rogen: Superhero

  Perhaps in an effort to show that he really is superhero material, a surprisingly well-groomed Seth Rogen long-jumped into a swimming pool on The Late Show last night. And since he didn't drown, didn't appear to break any bones, and remained airborne for at least three seconds, we feel confident that he will indeed make a convincing crimefighter in his upcoming role as the Green Hornet. At least if he, as the movie's co-writer, limits the action to mostly jumping in swimming pools. And keeps the pools shark-free.

  
  

  Posted 08/05/2008 by reelz

  Related: Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Saturday, July 26

• New Info on Green Hornet and The Wolf Man Footage Revealed at Comic-Con.

  

  Fresh from Comic-Con are precious few details surrounding Green Hornet, as provided by Seth Rogen.

  Also present at Comic-Con were Benicio Del Toro and co-star Emily Blunt, showing off new footage of the upcoming old-school thriller, The Wolf Man

  
  

  Posted 07/26/2008 by reelz

  Related: Benicio Del Toro | Emily Blunt | Seth Rogen | The Wolfman | The Green Hornet

Monday, June 30

• Seth Rogen, Mall Cop

  There are "independent" films -- those produced by the Weinsteins of the world and packed with A-list actors working for scale. Then there are independent films -- those financed with maxed-out credit cards and completed by sheer force of will.

  Jody Hill's comedy gem The Foot Fist Way belongs decidedly in the latter category, and while the film didn't necessarily shatter any box office records in its brief theatrical release, it did manage to net for its Concord, North Carolina-bred writer/director an array of prominent Hollywood admirers, chief among them the Talladega Nights and Step Brothers superduo of Will Ferrell and Adam McKay.

  For his first studio release, Observe and Report, Hill managed to nab none other than emerging comedy heavyweight Seth Rogen, star of Knocked Up, Superbad and the upcoming Pineapple Express, to play the lead as a delusional, overzealous mall cop on the trail of an elusive streaker.

  With visions of a potential McKay/Ferrell-esque partnership dancing in my head, I traveled to Observe and Report's Albuquerque, New Mexico set on an oppressively hot Tuesday a few weeks ago to get a glimpse of the comedy gold that a collaboration between Rogen and Hill might yield. And I got that -- but I got more. A lot more. 

  Come back soon for a comprehensive writeup of my Observe and Report set visit, featuring in-depth interviews with Rogen, Hill, producer Donald De Line (who happens to be developing a little flick called Green Lantern), and co-stars Ray Liotta and Michael Pena.

  More importantly, I'll furnish a detailed recap of my very own acting debut in the film -- in a short yet memorable cameo as an alternative-lifestyled mall patron shopping for fashionable storage containers with my disheveled life partner.

  I'm pretty sure that's how Olivier got started.

  
  

  Posted 06/30/2008 by reelz

  Related: Seth Rogen | Jody Hill | Observe and Report

Wednesday, June 11

• Seth Rogen to Face the Apocalypse

  Seth Rogen and Knocked Up co-star Jay Baruchel are reuniting for more comic mayhem in a new action comedy entitled Jay and Seth vs the Apocalypse. The movie is based on a short by Seth Rogen and his writing partner Evan Goldberg (Superbad), who will be writing the script together.

  Jay and Seth vs. the Apocalypse should start shooting next year. You can check out the original short right here.
  

  Source: Variety.

  
  

  Posted 06/11/2008 by reelz

  Related: Jay Baruchel | Seth Rogen | Jay and Seth vs. the Apocalypse

Thursday, June 5

• Green Hornet to be $70-100 Million Action Flick, Says Rogen

  Seth Rogen took time out from shooting his new comedy Observe and Report (working title) on Tuesday to spill details aplenty regarding his forthcoming Green Hornet flick, which was recently given the green light by Sony. Rogen and Superbad/Pineapple Express writing partner Evan Goldberg turned in a first draft of the script about three weeks ago and are currently at work on a second.

  Rogen said his version of The Green Hornet won't be a parody, but "a very intense action movie" with comedic elements. "It's the quintessential story about a hero and his sidekick," he added, while emphatically assuring us that it won't be another Batman & Robin. Ideally, he sees the movie's budget in the $70 to $100 million range.

  The short-lived '60s Green Hornet TV series is known primarily for introducing American audiences to a young Bruce Lee, who played the Hornet's badass chauffer/sidekick Kato. As for his own Kato, Rogen is eyeing Kung Fu Hustle star Stephen Chow.

  The Green Hornet is currently slated for a June 2010 release.

  
  

  Posted 06/05/2008 by reelz

  Related: Seth Rogen | The Green Hornet

Thursday, December 13

• Apatow: Brad Pitt the inspiration for Pineapple Express 

  Does next summer's Seth Rogen/James Franco buddy flick Pineapple Express, dubbed a "reefer action comedy" by producer Judd Apatow, have the potential to rank among the greatest stoner flicks of all time? It's not an impossible feat, considering the "competition" consists of such timeless classics as Half Baked and Dude, Where's My Car?

  What can fans expect from the latest Rogen/Apatow collaboration? In an exclusive interview with ReelzChannel.com last week, the red-hot writer-director-producer revealed the inspiration for Pineapple Express: 

  "Years and years ago I watched True Romance and I thought Brad Pitt was so funny as a character who was on crack or meth, and it was only one scene," Apatow recalled. "And I thought, 'I wish this movie followed him out the door.' I thought it would be great to do one of those pot movies, but with the action of a Jerry Bruckheimer movie, that looked really good and was also filled with people who were stoned."

  Apatow describes the finished product as "this really demented movie that's in the school of Superbad, but also has an enormous amount of action and violence."

  Skeptical? Check out the hilarious, definitely R-rated clip from Pineapple Express over at JoBlo.com -- and believe.

  
  
  Next Showing: Pineapple Express is slated for an August 8, 2008 release

  Posted 12/13/2007 by reelz

  Related: Judd Apatow | James Franco | Seth Rogen | Pineapple Express

Sunday, November 18

• Movie news: Seth Rogen, Katherine Heigl & Kristen Stewart

  Seth Rogen is the newest member to join Kevin Smith's fold. The star of Knocked Up and Superbad has been cast as the lead in Smith's upcoming comedy, Zack & Miri Make a Porno, opposite The 40-Year-Old Virgin costar Elizabeth Banks, as two friends who make a porn to alleviate debt and discover they have feelings for each other.

  Rogen's Knocked Up costar Katherine Heigl also has a deal going this week. Heigl has signed to star in The Ugly Truth, a romantic comedy about a morning show producer who is tested by her chauvinistic correspondent's theories on love. Robert Luketic (Legally Blond, Monster-in-Law) will direct.

  And finally Kristen Stewart will star in Twilight, a thriller/romance adapted from Stephanie Meyer's novel about a young girl's relationship with a mysterious classmate when she moves to a small town. Catherine Hardwicke (The Nativity Story) will direct.

  Source: Variety. 

  
  

  Posted 11/18/2007 by reelz

  Related: Kevin Smith | Catherine Hardwicke | Robert Luketic | Seth Rogen | Kristen Stewart | Katherine Heigl | The Ugly Truth | Twilight | Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Tuesday, July 24

• Knocked Up boosts business in an unlikely area

  Anyone who has seen Knocked Up knows that Seth Rogen and is band of slacker buddies' dream of building a website with images of Hollywood nude scenes is ruined when that they've been beaten to the punch by Mr.Skin.com.

  What you may not realize is how much Mr. Skin's website benefitted from its mention in the movie.  Mr.Skin.com experienced a 35% increase in new traffic during June (the month that Knocked Up hit theaters). That's a total of 2.9 million unique visitors.

  Not that the site wasn't doing well already--Mr.Skin grossed $5.3 million in 2006. But it looks like tickling Judd Apatow's funnybone is beneficial in more ways than one.

  Source: The New York Times

  
  

  Posted 07/24/2007 by reelz

  Related: Seth Rogen | Knocked Up

Thursday, July 19

• Seth Rogen going Green

  Knocked Up star Seth Rogen has signed on with Columbia Pictures to write and "likely" star in a big-screen adaptation of The Green Hornet, The Los Angeles Times reports.

  If and when Rogen's version of The Green Hornet makes it to the big screen, it will be quite an accomplishment for the Judd Apatow protege. Hollywood's been trying to get a Hornet film made for years without any success, despite the apparently insatiable consumer demand for comic book-related properties. Most recently, Clerks director Kevin Smith was attached to write and direct for Miramax, but the project went nowhere and Smith eventually moved on. 

  The Green Hornet began as a radio show in the '30s, chronicling the adventures of Britt Reid, a wealthy newspaper publisher by day and costumed crime-fighter at night. The character eventually branched out to other media, including film, television and comic books, with varying degrees of success. The short-lived '60s TV series is notable for introducing American audiences to a young Bruce Lee, who played the Hornet's badass sidekick Kato.

  Columbia is said to be hoping for a 2009 release for The Green Hornet.

  
  

  Posted 07/19/2007 by reelz

  Related: Kevin Smith | Seth Rogen | Knocked Up

Thursday, May 24

• Seth Rogen talks Superbad

  At a recent press junket for Knocked Up, its star, Seth Rogen gave a little taste of what he's got in store with his next movie, the long-awaited Superbad.

  "I think it just kind of was born out of a desire to see teen characters that are a lot like what [co-writer Evan Goldberg and I] were like when we were in high school," said Rogen.

  He and Goldberg started writing the comedy, about two high school social rejects who go to a graduation party and impress their crushes, when they were just 14.

  "We were teenagers in Vancouver. There was no real implication that it would ever get made into anything, it was just to amuse ourselves," the self-deprecating actor explained. "Unfortunately, really filthy filthy jokes is what amuses us, so that's what we wrote."

  Rogen says Superbad is a return to movies like Fast Times at Ridgemont High, because it shows things like, in the MPAA's words "pervasive crude and sexual content, strong language, drinking, some drug use and a fantasy/comic violent image - all involving teens."

  Sounds awesome.

  
  
  Next Showing: Superbad hits theaters August 17, 2007.
  

  Knocked Up trailer

  Starring Seth Rogen

  Posted 05/24/2007 by reelz

  Related: Seth Rogen | Evan Goldberg | Knocked Up | Superbad

Saturday, May 19

• Get Knocked Up online

  To get fans amped up for their upcoming summer blockbuster Knocked Up (aka Judd Apatow's follow up to The 40-Year-Old Virgin), our friends at Universal have put together quite a fancy website.

  The Knocked Up website has all sorts of features for fans who just can't wait for the movie to reach full term, including The Edit Bay (additional movie clips, deleted scenes, Apatow's Director's Video Diary, etc.), Freebies (a free ticket to Knocked Up for those who buy the all-new unrated Double Your Pleasure edition of The 40-Year-Old Virgin), and more.

  My favorite? Easily the Knocked Up Baby-Maker. You just upload pix of you and whomever you want and it will whip you up a potential future baby. It's very easy. I took a stab at it with a picture of my husband and myself, and suffice it to say, I will be filing for divorce in the morning.

  You can visit the Knocked Up website at KnockedUpMovie.com.

  
  
  Next Showing: Knocked Up is due in theaters June 1, 2007.
  

  Knocked Up trailer

  From the director of The 40 Year Old Virgin.

  Posted 05/19/2007 by reelz

  Related: Judd Apatow | Seth Rogen | Katherine Heigl | Knocked Up