Taiwan’s Jay Chou Cast As Kato In ‘Green Hornet’

After an exhaustive search, Sony Pictures announced that Taiwanese star Jay Chou has been cast in the coveted role of Kato in the Columbia Pictures’ new Green Hornet movie, slated for a summer 2010 release.

Taiwanese singer and actor Jay Chou will play the icon role of Kato, the sidekick to the Green Hornet, that made Bruce Lee a household name.

“It’s an overwhelming experience to take on a role made famous by Bruce Lee,” Chou said in a statement.

“I won’t try to be Bruce Lee’s Kato — I will try to bring my own interpretation to the part,” he said.

Born in Taiwan, Chou is a popular singer in Asia who shot to fame with his 2000 album “Jay.” He plays piano and cello, and blends American and Asian music styles. He has also made his mark in recent years as an actor and director. His acting debut in 2005’s “Initial D,” won him Best Newcomer Actor at the Golden Horse Awards, Asian’s version of the Oscars. Last year, Chou stared in “Kung Fu Dunk” as a martial artist who takes to basketball and flies to the hoop.

“The Green Hornet” according to Rogen will stay true to its 1966-67 television roots, in which the title character masked his crime fighting behind a public identity as a newspaper publisher.

Source: Retuers