Seth Rogen is wearing a lot of hats for his upcoming action movie, Columbia Pictures’ “The Green Hornet.” In addition to donning the mask of the popular radio serial hero and ‘60s TV star, Britt Reid, he’s co-writer and producer of the July 2010 summer film. A physically fit Rogen took some time to talk with TheWrap about his long-gestating project.
You look great.
Thanks. I have clearly been exercising, I have lost about 700 pounds.
Has it been easy getting into shape?
I hate it. It’s been a nightmare for me, and the movie has been delayed around four months -- which means I have to do it longer than expected.
So, why “The Green Hornet”? It's such a different role for you.
I have always been a huge comic-book fan and superhero fan, and as soon as we heard they looking for a writer, I just thought I could have a very interesting take on it. It’s really about a hero and a sidekick, which is really hard to write a movie about.
How closely does the new film follow the original story?
We explore the relationships a little more. We have kind of re-imagined how the Hornet comes into being, but I think it follows the general plot of the TV series.
Did you pay to the fanboys?
We listened. And we studied the source material so we could just make educated decisions about what to keep and what to change. We wanted to make sure we knew what we were doing -- and know what they would be pissed off about. If you’re a big fan of the original material, then you will be very pleased. But we also have a mandate that if you’ve never seen the original in any way shape or form, then you would like this movie. We knew that is how it would have to be.
Will it be campy?
No, we are not going for campy in any way shape or form. We want the relationships to have some comedy in them, like a lot of the great actions movies have. But as far as how we play with the action and the villains, we want it to be completely the best action movie out there.
What about rumors that Nicolas Cage and Cameron Diaz will star?
I can confirm that both of them may be in the movie. We are in talks with both of them, and it could very well happen.
How did Cage get involved?
We just start with which actors we are really big fans of, and he’s on that list. We were talking and we were like, "He's awesome" -- I mean, he plays so many different characters. It isn’t 100 percent going to happen, but it seems like a possibility.
Do you have a Kato yet?
No, I don’t.
