Chow, once attached to both play the Kato to Seth Rogen’s Green Hornet as well as direct the film itself, has offically severed himself from the production. Here’s an offical-type statement from Sony:

“There was a mutual and amicable decision by both sides to move on. We are out now to cast a new Kato and remain fully committed to Michel Gondry’s exciting vision for the film, which will begin production this September.”

Now, am I bummed? Yes, I think Chow was a genius choice. But, hey, what can you do? I still have faith in this project; Rogen and Evan Goldberg have yet to write a bad screenplay and Michel Gondry directing a summer action movie just makes me giddy. The film is now in “casting call” mode to find the new Kato in the next…two months. Yikes, this is gonna be one for the books.  Who do I think would do a good job as Kato? Well, call me crazy, something about Disturbia’s and Aaron Yoo strikes me as very Katoish.

Set to star Chow and Seth Rogen as the title the character, the film is now scrambling to line up another director. Chow who previously directed and starred in Kung Fu Hustle and Shaolin Soccer will only be starring in this one.

The Character began on the radio during the 1930’s but is best known from the 1960’s TV series. The film version has taken a while to get off the ground, I remember when Kevin Smith was attached to this.

(Variety)

The film adaptation of The Green Hornet, about a masked crimefighter, detective, and martial arts expert that originated as a radio program in the 1930s, has been moving full speed ahead ever since Pineapple Express and Superbad writers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg were announced as the film’s writers, with Rogen set to star.

A few months ago, Rogen expressed interest in having actor/director Stephen Chow (Kung Fu Hustle, Shaolin Soccer) star as Kato, Green Hornet’s trusted sidekick and friend, a role which was played most famously by Bruce Lee in the 60s television series.

Stephen Chow, quite seperately, also expressed interest in the role.

This left everyone wondering: if they both want to do it, and do it together, then why is it taking so long to get everyone signed on?

The answer? Because it apparently takes longer to sign someone as both a co-star AND the director.

Chow is set to helm Columbia Pictures’ The Green Hornet, making it his American directorial debut.

“Stephen was always my and Evan’s first choice for director and to play Kato. We just hope that he never finds out we’re not the Wachowski Brothers,” says Rogen, who has reportedly slimmed down considerably for the role of the masked vigilante.

“I’m excited to be taking on ‘The Green Hornet’ — obviously I’ve been a huge fan of the show since I was a kid,” says Chow. “The idea of stepping into Bruce Lee’s shoes as Kato is both humbling and thrilling, and to get the chance to direct the project as my American movie debut is simply a dream come true.”

The Green Hornet hits theaters everywhere June 25, 2010