AceShowbiz -

The speculation about Stephen Chow taking the role of Kato in "The Green Hornet" has been confirmed. On Friday, September 19, Columbia Pictures have let out a press release announcing that the 46-year-old has been tapped to take the role once made famous by legendary Bruce Lee. What makes it even more interesting, the man behind hit action comedy "Kung Fu Hustle" has also joined the project as the helmer.

About his joining in the project, Chow commented, "I'm excited to be taking on The Green Hornet - obviously, I've been a huge fan of the show since I was a kid. The idea of stepping into Bruce Lee's shoes as Kato is both humbling and thrilling, and to get the chance to direct the project as my American movie debut is simply a dream come true. I'm grateful to my friends at Sony, who have shown so much faith in me for so many years. I'm looking forward to working with Seth [Rogen], Evan [Goldberg], Neal [Moritz], and the team at Sony, and I'm eager to get started."

Comedian Seth Rogen who serves as the co-writer and co-executive producer for the film as well as the star revealed that Chow has been the team's first choice as the Hornet's sidekick as well as the man behind the project's lens. "Stephen was always my and Evan's first choice for director and to play Kato," he confessed, adding further, "We just hope that he never finds out we're not the Wachowski Brothers."

An adaptation of WXYZ's radio show created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, "Hornet" centers on Britt Reid, a newspaper publisher by day and masked vigilante known as "Green Hornet" by night, and his adventures in fighting crimes. Slated for June 25, 2010 release, the flick is also penned by Rogen's writing partner in "Knocked Up", "Superbad" and "Pineapple Express", Evan Goldberg, and produced by Neal H. Moritz.