Hornet Put On Hold

There has been a lot of moving and shaking in the film industry this week. One story that managed to sneak under the radar was an update about the upcoming Green Hornet movie, set to release in December of this year. Apparently the powers-that-be over at Sony have decided Seth Rogen playing the Green Hornet is a bad idea. No? Really? I told you guys that when you cast him!!!

I love Rogen. I really do. I am a fan of Rogen. I was excited when he was one of the heads of the project as he is a big Green Hornet fan. But, and this is a big “but,” I never once saw how in the world he was going to play the title character. I think it was doomed from the beginning.

Another problem was the choice of director. Michel Gondry is a very artistic, wonderful, passionate director. Again, I love his work. I think he does things in film that need to be done artistically. However, and this is a big “however,” I didn’t understand how in the world he was going to make a film that had wide appeal for Green Hornet fans. His most famous movie to date is Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind. Yes, it was a great movie. I own it. But that doesn’t make him a great director for a comic book film.

Take some time to picture these two things working together in the same movie. Picture Rogen’s Jew-fro inside a picture that looks like Eternal Sunshine. Take a moment to really let that sink in. I’ll wait.

Now, take that same image you have in your head right now and ask yourself, “Who the hell at Sony thought this was a good idea from the start?” This is exactly how I’m feeling right about now.

Sony isn’t happy with the final product at all. This week somebody at Sony called the final product “a disaster.” Their main complaint is that it is too campy and Rogen doesn’t look the part. Really? I don’t believe it. You mean Rogen looks like ass trying to fight Mr. Big and Mr. X? How many more sarcastic quips do I need to make here?

People complain all the time that Hollywood is out of touch with audience members. Granted, Hollywood has been on a roll lately with some kick ass comic book movies, but that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t think rationally BEFORE they go ahead with a project. I couldn’t find anybody that thought Rogen and Gondry was a good pairing for this movie. I found one who thought they were a good pairing for ANY movie.

This is a case where two completely opposite talents don’t mix well. I respect the hell out of Rogen and I will look forward to the next Gondry project, but, unless I see something that says they have gone back to the drawing board with this film, I will not be seeing The Green Hornet. Well, unless it’s a it’s-so-bad-it’s-good kind of movie. Then I might sit back for the sheer mockery.