Columbia to Release Green Hornet

(CUT AND PASTED DIRECTLY FROM www.variety.com, check 'em out)

Studio options rights to legendary hero
By DAVE MCNARY

Columbia Pictures has optioned rights to "The Green Hornet," and set up the project with Neal H. Moritz and his Original Film banner.

Project's based on the crime-fighting character created by Fran Striker and George Trendle for a radio serial that launched in 1936 with millionaire publisher Brit Reid moonlighting as a masked crime fighter. "The Green Hornet" has had several incarnations, including the live-action TV series that starred Van Williams and introduced Bruce Lee to U.S. auds in 1966.

Previously, "The Green Hornet" has been in development at Universal and Miramax. Moritz obtained the film rights and optioned them to Sony, where he's based.

Moritz recently produced "Gridiron Gang," "Fast and Furious: Tokyo Drift" and "Click" and his upcoming pics include "Vantage Point," "Evan Almighty," "I Am Legend" and "Maid of Honor."