Kevin Smith is bringing the Green Hornet back.

The filmmaker will team up with producer WildBrain to develop a new animated series about the hero.

“It’s an honor to escort the legendary Green Hornet and Kato into their very own animated series for the first time in the rich history of these iconic pop culture characters! We’ll be telling a tale of two Hornets – past and future – that spans generations. I can’t believe WildBrain gave me this job. And I can’t thank them enough for the opportunity to extend my childhood a little longer,” said Smith.

As Smith outlined, the new series will follow a reimagined Green Hornet and Kato – the son and daughter of the originals. They will carry on the legacy to protect Century City in the modern era. Smith also said the series would draw inspiration from shows like Batman: The Animated Series.

Updating the series also includes updating the dynamic between the leads. Stephanie Betts, EVP of Content and Current Series at WildBrain, discussed this change.

“We’re thrilled to embark on a new animated Green Hornet series with Kevin, who has set up an incredibly rich world with a cast of amazing characters – especially Kato, who is no longer just a sidekick, but is now a strong female partner to the Green Hornet,” said Betts.

WildBrain has a long-standing history of producing successful animation. The studio’s credits include Peanuts, Teletubbies, and Inspector Gadget. Combined with Smith’s passion for superheroes, the future of the Green Hornet looks promising.

“With his ingenious talent and passion for superheroes and classic franchises, Kevin is the perfect creator to update the Green Hornet. We’re excited to share the new Green Hornet and Kato with audiences worldwide,” said Betts.

Green Hornet over the years

Seth Rogen and Jay Chou in The Green Hornet (2011)

The character actually dates back to the 1930s. It originated as a radio series by George W. Trendle. The series followed Britt Reid, newspaper publisher by day and crime fighter by night. The Green Hornet took on injustice with his sidekick Kato and super-car Black Beauty.

Then in 1966, The Green Hornet live-action TV series debuted. The show only lasted a season, but it left behind an unexpected legacy. It introduced martial artist Bruce Lee to North American audiences. (Lee played Kato in the show.)

A longtime fan of the hero, Smith actually started a screenplay for a feature film back in 2004. Ultimately, Miramax never moved forward with Smith’s project. However, Smith did end up adapting his screenplay into a comic book series. These were published by Dynamite Entertainment in 2010.

Finally, a different film, written by and starring Seth Rogen, released in 2011.

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Source: Deadline