Stephen Chow drops out of THE GREEN HORNET?

Another huge story hit Variety last week which you probably won't have missed. Stephen Chow has dropped the directing duties on THE GREEN HORNET and is maybe having second thoughts about actually co-starring in the movie as Kato, the loyal sidekick to Seth Rogen's Green Hornet. I don't know for sure but I would speculate it's a creative problem between the freedom Chow has been used to working in Asia compared to the Hollywood restrictions of Columbia and probably a conflict over what he wants and what SUPERBAD writers Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogen want. Chow told The Associated Press...

"If I direct 'The Green Hornet,' the superhero comedy will have to be delayed for two years," Chow said. "The timing might not be right for a superhero comedy in two years. And I want to make a movie based on an original idea."

Can't really see Columbia Pictures waiting on this project for Chow. Even though he has shown terrific acting and directing chops with SHAOLIN SOCCER, CJ7 and KUNG FU HUSTLE, I can't help but feel that Rogen is their star and having spent the past few months slimming down for the role and getting into the shape of his life, it has to be now or it's not going to happen. The movie is due out June 25th 2010 and to fulfill that, they will need to find a director and possible new co-star soon.