10 Promising Films Ruined By Changing The Director
9. Green Hornet
The Green Hornet was probably famously known as a TV crime-fighter played by Van Williams, whose sidekick, Kato, was portrayed by the legendary Bruce Lee. It was the martial artists big break in the west that led to his star taking off. The character of the Green Hornet has a history that goes back further, originating as a radio serial in the 1930s. This film had been in development hell since the early 90s, until Miramax managed to get the rights and hired writer/director (and superhero fanboy) Kevin Smith to helm the project. Smith had approached Jake Gyllenhaal to play the role and would have introduced a female Kato (no doubt inspired by Ron Fortiers run on the Green Hornet comics in 1989). Unfortunately, it didnt pan out. Sony then managed to get the rights, looked at the success of adaptations that remained true to the source material, and apparently decided, nah, lets just hire Seth Rogen and turn it into a slacker comedy. Michel Gondry was chosen as the director, because when you want to make a movie about masked vigilantes, you apparently hire a director known for movies like Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep. The film was terrible and deserved the walloping it received at the box office. Its also notable for being a role that Nicolas Cage, who has never met a bad role he didnt like, turned down. But if you are interested in seeing what Smith would have done, he published it as a Green Hornet comic for Dynamite Entertainment.
Percival Constantine is the author of several novels and short stories, including the Vanguard superhero series, and regularly writes and comments on movies, comics, and other pop culture. More information can be found at his website, PercivalConstantine.com
