The Green Hornet gets a new Kato

Looks like Kwon Sang-woo didn't get the part like earlier reports suggested he might. Instead Taiwanese actor Jay Chou will replace Stephen Chow to play Kato.

Chou is a classically trained singer-songwriter, and later made his way into acting in 2005 and has starred in a total of four films. He has also directed on film and over a dozen music videos. You might remember him as Prince Jai in Zhang Yimou's Curse of the Golden Flower.

Director Michel Gondry said of Chou:

"Jay is incredibly unique and charming and fights like a wild dog! When I filmed him next to Seth, they had such great chemistry, and I knew the movie will be great." [Deadline Hollywood via The Playlist]

Chou said:

“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. Of course, it’s a dream role, and I’m looking forward to the challenge.” [Deadline Hollywood via The Playlist]

Like I said before I only care about this film because of Kato, so it's a relief they've found a replacement for Stephen Chow.

Who is the new Kato?

The only reason I care about the upcoming Green Hornet movie is because of the Green Hornet's sidekick, Kato. I could care less about Seth Rogen. If he turns out to great I'll eat my words. Anyway, Stephen Chow had originally been cast as Kato, but dropped out a few weeks ago. Now, according to The Playlist some Asian news outlets have announced that Korean actor Kwon Sang-woo is in talks to step in and take the part.

Admittedly I've never seen him in anything, but Kwon has done martial arts in movies before (Volcano High, Once Upon a Time in High School), and he had a good audition for the role. If Kwon is cast then "this would make the third Korean heartthrob, following Lee Byeong-Heon and his role in G.I. Joe and Rain in Ninja Assassin, to take a stab at Hollywood this year." [Twitch]

I was pretty disappointed when Stephen Chow dropped out because he was the only draw for me. Sorry, even though I can sometimes be a Seth Rogen apologist, he does actually annoy me from time to time, and I don't like any films Michel Gondry has directed (this includes Eternal Sunshine). There, I said it. Now though, there isn't any time for disappointment. The Green Hornet is set for a July 2010 release so they better cast Kato like yesterday.