In an interesting move, Warner Bros. has given the much sought-after role of The Green Lantern to Ryan Reynolds.
The former sit-com star who has been slowly but surely making a name for himself on the big-screen in a variety of comedy, action and romance films has apparently won from Bradley Cooper (The Hangover) and Justin Timberlake (Superbowl half-time entertainment).
While Reynolds, still just 32 and with his charisma and pretty impressive physique (yeah, I can admit it), has all the attributes to make one of DC Comics’ elite superheroes work, he only recently brought Deadpool to life in X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and was planning to again.
Deadpool, one from the stable of DC Comics’ arch rival Marvel, was to get his own stand-alone feature film – a spin-off from a spin-off – after proving to be a standout performer in the recent Hugh Jackman vehicle. No word on what is going to happen to that picture now, but one could assume if does get up and running there will be someone else in the lead.
Also, before Deadpool, Reynolds’ name had long been linked to a possible Flash big-screen movie adaptation, which did seem an ideal fit for the cheeky (or is that cheesy?) Reynolds, who has similar characteristics to Barry Allen, the Flash’s alterego. But, like Deadpool, that particular film seems to have been well and truly put on the studio backburner.
Regardless of Reynolds’ inclusion, which, the more I think about it, is a reasonably good move as well as intriguing, The Green Lantern, with his interesting story and his incredible capabilities, certainly has a lot more appeal than most superheroes, particularly The Flash, and deserves his first appearance in feature film form.
It is expected the movie will focus on the most well-known of Green Lanterns (and there’s been a few), the second, Hal Jordan, the test pilot who is drafted into the Green Corps, a type of intergalactic police force. After coming to the aid of a dying alien Abin Sur, who has crashed on Earth, Jordan is given his power ring – and his place in the Corps.
With a view to releasing the film late 2010 or midway through 2011 (probably more the latter), on the back of the success Warner and DC’s other top-flight hero Batman, finding someone to play Jordan/Green Lantern has been a long process. At least the last year.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, “Reynolds and his camp entered negotiations for the part Friday, after the studio held two rounds of screen tests, along with actors Bradley Cooper and Jared Leto. Justin Timberlake also did a screen test”.
THR went to say, “One reason for the long search was (producer Donald) De Line, (director Martin) Campbell and the studio each had a different favorite among the finalists, making it difficult to come to a consensus. ”
Plenty of other names have come and gone with regards to who will ultimately pull on the black and green tights, including Ryan Gosling (Lars and The Real Girl), Josh Hartnett (30 Days of Night), David Borneaz (Angel) and Nathan Fillion (Serenity).
Recently there was also growing speculation Chris Pine (Star Trek) might get the job or even Sam Worthington (Terminator Salvation), both of whom are very much in demand at the moment when it comes to action/sci-fi.
While Jack Black was said to be keen to make the role his and create a comedy similar to Jim Carrey’s The Mask. Reynolds appears a good choice when you take that into consideration.
Reynolds will become the first make actor to take on superhero parts in both DC and Marvel and follow in the foosteps of Halle Berry, who was Storm in X-Men (Marvel) and Catwoman in Catwoman (DC). He should have better sucess. I can see him and the Green Lantern delivering in the same way as Robert Downey Jnr and Ironman.
SOURCE:
The Hollywood Reporter
