Asian pop star Jay Chou will team up with Seth Rogen to fight crime in Columbia Pictures' new film version of "The Green Hornet," to be directed by Michel Gondry.

Chou snapped up the role of Kato, the Green Hornet's sidekick, after Stephen Chow walked away from the part last month.

Born Chou Chieh-Lun in Taiwan in 1979, Chou began playing the piano at age 4. He broke into the music business in 1998 when a friend sang one of his compositions on a TV talent contest, accompanied by Chou on piano. Alfa Music launched his career, first as a songwriter and then as a singer. His debut album "Jay," combining Eastern and Western musical traditions, was released in 2000.

Chou moved into acting with a starring role in 2005's "Initial D," a comedy-action hit in China. In 2006, he starred opposite Chow Yun-Fat and Gong Li in Zhang Yimou's "The Curse of the Golden Flower." Since then, he starred in "Kung Fu Dunk," and made his directorial debut and starred in "Secret." He will next be seen in the Chinese film "Ci Ling" and in Yuen Woo-Ping's "True Legend."

Gondry's screen incarnation of "The Green Hornet" will use a screenplay written by Rogen & Evan Goldberg, based upon "The Green Hornet" radio series created by George W. Trendle. It will be produced by Neal H. Moritz and is slated for release summer 2010.

"Jay is incredibly unique and charming and fights like a wild dog! When I filmed him next to Seth, they had such great chemistry," Gondry said.

"It's an overwhelming experience to take on a role made famous by Bruce Lee. I won't try to be Bruce Lee's Kato -- I will try to bring my own interpretation to the part," Chou promised.

(CRI/Agencies August 10, 2009)