Kevin Smith developing new Green Hornet animated series about next-gen hero, Kato's daughter

Kevin Smith is turning green...with justice! The Tusk director has been tapped to develop an animated Green Hornet series alongside WildBrain, owner of the Peanuts franchise. Set in modern day Century City, the project will be more family-oriented, centering around the son of the original Green Hornet and the daughter of the original hero's right-hand man, Kato.

"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," the filmmaker said in a statement to Deadline. "We’ll be telling a tale of two Hornets – past and future – that spans generations and draws inspiration from a lifetime spent watching classic cartoons and amazing animation like Batman: The Animated Series, Heavy Metal, and Super Friends. 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."

"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," added Stephanie Betts, EVP Content and Current Series at WildBrain. "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."

Credit: Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images

Smith previously wrote a Green Hornet comic book for Dynamite Entertainment a decade ago. It was based on an unused screenplay he had penned for Miramax in the early 2000s. The hero's modern blockbuster debut arrived in 2011 by way of Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, and Michel Gondry. Dynamite launched a new Hornet comic last month.

Earlier this year, Amasia Entertainment landed the screen rights to the IP, which can trace its roots back to the radio dramas of the 1930s. Created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, the Green Hornet is secretly Britt Reid — wealthy newspaper publisher by day and crime-fighter by night. With the help of their high-tech car known as "Black Beauty," Reid and Kato strike fear into the hearts of wrongdoers. In addition to spawning numerous comics, toys, and film serials, the character also enjoyed a 1960s-era TV show that starred Bruce Lee as Kato.