Sony/Columbia Pictures has announced that Stephen Chow will both direct and co-star in "The Green Hornet," the new film adaptation of the series that will star Seth Rogen in the lead role. Rogen has co-written the script with partner Evan Goldberg. The studio will release the picture June 25, 2010.

Says Chow, "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, Evan, Neal, and the team at Sony, and I'm eager to get started."

The Green Hornet" started as a radio serial in 1936 and was turned into a comic book and TV show in the 1960s. It featured the adventures of Brit Reid, a multimillionaire publisher who fights crime as well along with his partner Kato. Kevin Smith was once attached to write and direct the film with Jake Gyllenhaal the rumored lead for the project. Other Internet rumors had Jet Li playing Kato and even George Clooney circling the lead role at one point as well.