August 8 2009: Jay Chou As Kato
Filed under Asian-ness & Media
This entry will possibly not be of any interest to anyone who’s unfamiliar with the Chinese entertainment industry, and who has no interest in the type of movies that Seth Rogen makes, but: Jay Chou has been cast as Kato in the remake of the Green Hornet.
Now, this film has been in the works for months now – it was first announced that Stephen Chow (this man is a genius in the Hong Kong movie industry, my childhood was spent ROFLing to his films, and I still delight in them now) would both star as Kato, and direct the film too. I was absolutely ecstatic when I heard the news – Stephen Chow crossing over to Hollywood, and working with Seth Rogen who I adore equally? Fantastic! Now with Stephen entirely unattached to the project, this announcement of Jay as Kato is equally as exciting, especially considering how disappointed I was to miss his Sydney concert early last month. It means that since Jay is crossing to Hollywood, there’s every chance that in his promotion obligations for The Green Hornet’s release next year, he’ll return to Australia, and I can see him there. There’s a silver lining!
Plus, considering that the role of Kato in the remake is rumoured to be written as more of a equal crime-fighting partner, as the real brains behind the operation rather than a silent partner to the comic Green Hornet, Jay’s role is bound to be as prominent and prestigious as Seth Rogen’s. It could do a lot in improving the depiction of Asians in mainstream Western media and removing the Asian geek, bad accented Asian, Asian mail order bride, etc. stereotypes.
Heck, the release of the movie next year might even encourage me to change the layout on the Jay Chou fanlisting.
7 Responses to “Jay Chou As Kato”
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Sounds awesome! How lucky for you. I confess i’ve never heard a single Jay song though =/
Carmen on August 8 2009 #
It’s great that Jay Chou has gotten such a role in mainstream Western media as it could possibly have a serious impact but… he’s not really the most terrific actor :/
Sandy on August 8 2009 #
I personally prefer Asian artists to stick to Asian stuff because of the idea that they need to change for the west. So my view would be just as long as he doesn’t start to sell himself short like Utada Hikaru and BoA have done. That said, neither of them really got anywhere.
Charlie on August 9 2009 #
Aw, I do like Stephen Chow. Kung Fu Hustle ranks pretty highly amongst my favourites. However, I’m unfamiliar with Jay Chou. My Asian films tend to be either gory/horror/action or animated (I suck). Recommendations?
Lilian on August 9 2009 #
i grew up watching stephen chow’s too.
but why jay chou over stephen chow? i never think jay chou is good in acting. he’s somehow emotionless and stiff in movie.
undeniably, his music is good.
annant on August 9 2009 #
I haven’t seen any of Jay’s recent movies, but from his past works (Initial D, Curse of the Golden Flower) I don’t think he’s that good of an actor. And…..maybe I’m hoping they’ll dub his voice, because he is going to be the bad accented Asian….
kat on August 9 2009 #
[...] Chow. I was reading Amanda’s entry which brought back fond memories of laughing my ass off through my childhood to Stephen [...]
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