'Green Hornet' buzzes to Columbia Pictures

HOLLYWOOD, March 22 (UPI) -- "The Green Hornet," which tracks the exploits of a millionaire publisher and his crime-fighting alter ego, has been picked up by Hollywood's Columbia Pictures.

Columbia Pictures, gearing up for the May 4 debut of "Spider-Man 3," optioned rights to the property, with Neal H. Moritz and his Original Film banner named to produce the adaptation of the adventures Brit Ried, Variety said. "The Green Hornet" started as a radio serial in 1936, morphing into a comic book, movie and television series by the 1960s.

Moritz said he's been a fan of "The Green Hornet" since seeing the '60s live-action TV series that starred Van Williams and Bruce Lee and he's been trying to get the rights for years.

He said he expects to get the project out to writers in the next few weeks.