WildBrain has partnered with American filmmaker, screenwriter and actor Kevin Smith to develop an animated series of pulp hero The Green Hornet.

Based on the classic franchise – which originated as a radio series in the 1930s, following fictional newspaper owner and publisher Britt Reid and his sidekick Kato – the updated version will be set in contemporary times for a family audience, tracking the grown son of the Green Hornet and the original Kato’s daughter. The animated series is also expected to feature classic elements from the franchise, such as the duo’s high-tech car the Black Beauty.

“It’s an honour 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!” said the Clerks writer/director (pictured) in a statement, noting that the project will tell the tale of two Hornets, drawing “inspiration from a lifetime spent watching classic cartoons and amazing animation like Batman: The Animated Series, Heavy Metal, and Super Friends.”

The Comic Book Men executive producer has penned numerous Green Hornet and Kato comics for Dynamite Entertainment in the past. Notably, over the years, The Green Hornet franchise has spanned numerous comic series, toy lines, a live-action TV series and films (including a US$227-million grossing comedy in 2011 written by Canadians Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg, and starring Rogen).

“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. 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,” said WildBrain EVP, content and current series Stephanie Betts.

The Green Hornet, Kato and Black Beauty are trademarks of The Green Hornet, Inc., which is represented by David Grace of Loeb & Loeb LLP.