Those boys at CHUD are swell. Earlier today I got an email from a CHUD writer - thanks Dave! - steering me to the website of a short French fan film titled Le Frelon Vert. Which translates - as I'm sure you all know - to The Green Hornet.
While Hollywood spins its wheel trying to get their version off the ground this French production has done one mighty fine job of capturing the feel of all things Hornet. The office set in the back half honestly isn't so hot, but until that point they just nail the fusion of noir, martial arts and b-grade masked hero sensibilities, thanks to both a healthy dose of visual flair and the physical presence of Manu Lanzi as the Hornet and Patrick Vo as Kato. And though you don't know it, if you're reading this site there's a fighting chance you've seen both of these guys in action before. Lanzi did stunt work in Banlieue 13, Kiss of the Dragon, The Transporter and Brotherhood of the Wolf while Vo had a role in Danny The Dog / Unleashed. Both are pretty impressive with Lanzi working largely as a brawler while Vo goes for blazing fast, precision strikes. These boys got skills.
My advice to Hollywood? Hire these guys. They get it.
Le Frelon Vert Website
Le Frelon Vert Complete Film (in English, downloadable Quicktime)
For some reason I never watched the old Green Hornet. THIS FAN FILM ROCKED!!!
That rocked pretty hard, I must say. I'd love to see more, especially with the cliffhanger ending.
And I'm glad they used the theme in the end credits!
Awesome short flick. It reminds me of another short film produced directed and starring a Batman fan to which I think was titled Batman vs Predator. It always amazes me how these unknown fans produce these highly enjoyable and well produced short films that seem to outdo the most inflated hollywood budget pictures based on the same characters. The same can be said for the Star Wars animated films Clones Wars Pt.1 & 2 that were meant to be a fill in story between Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith. The animated shorts outdid the two major films by leaps and bounds. Hollywood needs to start to listen to the little guys with these huge ideas, 'nuff said.
-----