Green Lantern

Saying that the latest epic superhero movie is going to be in 3D is like saying the Pope is Catholic, that bears defecate in wooded areas and that Batman will triumph against Spider-Man in a one-on-one bout of fisticuffs. It's inevitable, everyone knows it's going to happen and the bigger news will soon be what isn't in 3D.

Martin Campbell's Green Lantern, which begins filming later this month for a 2011 release, is the latest movie to join this cinematic revolution...or fad, if you're an old fashioned git like me. /Film reports that it's not clear whether the film will be converted in post or if they'll be able to film with 3D cameras, but it's happening. Since I've had a mixed relationship with 3D movies (if I'm going to pay more for your silly glasses, I expect a bright and crystal clear image, thank you very much) I won't say I'm terribly excited for this news.

But...If they pull it off, a crazy space-adventure and superhero action epic like Green Lantern would be a perfect fit for an extra dimension.

Warner Bros. is banking big on this 3D business/nonsense. The two part Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows will be in 3D, as will Zach Snyder's upcoming action-fantasy, Sucker Punch. Pretty soon, they'll be shaking our seats and spraying smells at us. You know, to complete the immersion. I bet Hal Jordan smells like strawberries. And his power ring smells like burnt hair.

Way of the future, folks. Way of the future.

Man, remember back in the day, when David Goyer was going to do The Flash and Ryan Reynolds was going to star? Those were the days, man. Those were the days. Now Goyer is off doing The Man of Steel and Reynolds is the Green Lantern. What happened? This world is crazy.

The Flash has had one of "those" histories. About four announced directors, countless scripts and a helluva lot of "we're ready to move forward." According to IESB, Warner Brothers is ready to move forward yet again, this time with Greg Berlanti at the helm.

If that name makes you scratch your head and go "Who?", you're not alone. His IMDB page is a lot of television I never watched and never will watch...except for the writing credit for The Green Lantern. Apparently, Berlanti was almost going to direct that one, but lost out at the last second to Martin Campbell. Hard work means big rewards and WB was apparently impressed enough with his early work to hand him the keys to The Flash.

I could sit here and go "BLAH BLAH Why is a writer for Eli Stone and Brothers and Sisters going to direct The Flash BLAH BLAH," but the truth is, everyone has to get a start somewhere. Berlanti could be a visionary in the making. This could be his dream project. This could be something special, we just don't know it yet because his name has yet to gain significance. I'm also not a big enough fan of The Flash as a character to get too upset about any of this.

But yeah, a writer for Eli Stone and Brothers and Sisters is going to direct The Flash? BLAH BLAH.

I'm starting a grassroots movement right now for Seann William Scott as Green Lantern in the (hopefully) inevitable sequel to the upcoming Green Lantern live-action film. No, I'm not recommending that Seann William Scott take over the Ryan Reynolds role as Hal Jordan, the most recognizable of the Green Lanterns. Scott is perfect for another member of the Green Lantern Corps, namely loud-mouth brawler Guy Gardner.

Gardner was selected to be the Green Lantern of Sector 2814 (Earth's sector) by alien Abin Sur's power ring, but Sur's ship was on a crash course and he needed to find someone closer to the crash site. Because of that, Abin Sur selected Hal Jordan over Gardner. Not long after, Jordan was made aware of Guy Gardner's existence, and extended an offer to the somewhat obnoxious hothead to take on the mantle of Green Lantern.

Back in the 90's when I would spitball Green Lantern casting with my friends, there were two actors that were right for the part, in completely different ways. David Caruso would've been a great fit as Guy Gardner. He's full of tough guy swagger and sports a brusque, unapproachable persona to go with his naturally red hair. Denis Leary was my favorite dream choice for the role, though. It's a shame Leary is too old for the part. He could've captured Gardner's hilarious abrasiveness perfectly, the Green Lantern we hate to love. He can also play tough, while staying funny.

Last week's leaked Green Lantern concept art literally blew my socks off, which was especially remarkable seeing as how I was wearing shoes at the time. Ouch. Now, io9 has two new images they're presenting as legit leaked art from the 2011 Martin Campbell science-fiction superhero film.

Represented in these images are designs for the Guardians and Green Lantern's mentor-turned-nemesis Sinestro (an unfortunate name if his parents ever wanted him to grow up to be anything but evil). The Guardians are the otherworldly beings responsible for the Green Lantern Corps - the intergalactic police force which recruits Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) in the film. They're represented as arrogant and judgmental in the comics, but they're also responsible for who gets a power ring (the outlet for Green Lantern's power) and who doesn't. Sinestro is their star Lantern, until he gets power hungry and turns on the Corps. Mark Strong is said to be taking on the role of Sinestro in the film.

Thanks to Devin at Chud for bringing this new art to my attention. You can see the Sinestro mock-up after the jump.

I'm not one to get really hyped up for films before their release, preferring to keep a level-head lest I build up my expectations to the point where I am let down more often than I am satisfied. With that said, when it comes to these leaked Green Lantern design pics, there's only one thing I can say: OOOMMMMGGGGOMG!!!1111!!!!!!!!!111OMGGGGGG!

Ahem.

Yes, I will be a total drooling idiot by the time Summer 2011 gets here, in anticipation of Martin Campbell's live-action adaptation of one of the coolest superheroes ever created, DC's Green Lantern. What we have in these leaked alien character designs are the potential movie versions of Abin Sur, the dying ring-bearer who bestows his power ring to Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds in the film), as well as Green Lantern Corps members Tomar Re and, below the jump, trainer Kilowog.

Remember when we reported that Jackie Earle Haley was being considered for the role of Sinestro in the upcoming Green Lantern and that he was the one and only actor the studio wanted? Um, yeah. About that...

Turns out that was just a load of rumor with a topping of lies because director Martin Campbell hasn't heard anything about that. In fact, he let MTV know the truth: Mark Strong is currently in negotiations to play the role and Haley has never been considered. Or, in the man's own words, beginning with his thoughts on Strong: "He's not only a wonderful actor, but he looks like Sinestro...If you look up old pictures of Sinestro, he's very like him. The Jackie Earle Haley thing, somebody told me about it this morning; I had never heard it before in my life."

There. Done. Debunked.

Although I was definitely interested in seeing Haley in the role, Strong may actually be a better choice. In addition to being a captivating performer, Strong is a truly menacing physical presence, the kind of guy whose stare alone can make you fall on your knees and beg for mercy. Not to mention, as Campbell says, his resemblance to the source character is uncanny.

Strong has been carving out a niche in the geeky movie market recently, with roles in Sherlock Holmes, Kick-Ass and the currently filming John Carter of Mars, so this feels like a natural step forward for the man. Green Lantern starts filming in March.

Yesterday, when I wrote about Peter Sarsgaard joining the cast of the upcoming Green Lantern, I pondered "What of Sinestro?" Question answered. Drew over at Hit Fix says he's in the script. He also says that the studio only wants one guy for the role: Jackie Earle Haley.

Ah, another chapter in the tale of Mr. Haley, whose recent Hollywood comeback truly feels like the stuff of legends. From child star, to absolute nobody, to surprise Oscar-nominee for Little Children, to landing iconic roles like Rorschach in Watchmen and Freddy Krueger in the upcoming A Nightmare on Elm Street remake, Haley has justified his comeback with a slew of incredible performances, proving that this guy is the real deal. This is a career resurgence damn well earned.

Now, Haley as Sinestro is not a sure thing yet. It looks like the studio wants him and only him in the role, but nothing has been signed. However, seeing that Haley has previously embraced the superhero genre with open arms and unbridled enthusiasm, I'd be surprised if he didn't take the role. Drew also notes that this would certainly be a two or three picture deal, since Sinestro is an ally in this film and won't go bad until the sequel.

As superhero movie fan and Jackie Earle Haley cheerleader, color me excited. My limited knowledge of the character keeps me from saying anything definitive, but I love the thought of Haley playing an interstellar supervillain.

Green Lantern will be directed by Martin Campbell and begins shooting in New Orleans this March.

A few days back, we heard the news of Green Lantern's love interest. Now, we've got his nemesis.

It looks like Peter Sarsgaard has joined Martin Campbell's comic book extravaganza, playing "...Dr. Hector Hammond, the pathologist son of a senator who is seen as a disappointment in his father's eyes. He becomes infused with psychic powers when he discovers a meteor." And of course, with psychic powers comes great irresponsibility and we'll surely be treated to a great deal of very expensive action and adventure as Hammond clashes with interstellar policeman/superhero, Hal Jordan, AKA, The Green Lantern (Ryan Reynolds).

This is exciting news. Ever since the great, tragically overlooked Shattered Glass, I've kept my eye on Sarsgaard. He's not just a good actor, he's a great actor, someone who truly vanishes into his characters and constantly steals films away from his more famous co-stars. The thought of the soft-spoken and intense Sarsgaard going head to head with the brash and charming Ryan Reynolds in a superhero epic gets me giddy in all of the right ways.

Of course, now we get to ponder "What of Sinestro, the most famous of Green Lantern's limited Rogue's Gallery?" Any truth to the rumors that he'll be a good guy in the first film before going turncoat in the sequel? Who knows. In the meantime, let's rejoice in the Sarsgaard.

(Via Heat Vision Blog)

With filming only a few months away, it looks like Martin Campbell's Green Lantern movie has finally found its leading lady: one Blake Lively.

Who?

I don't know. Looks like she's the star of The CW's Gossip Girl, but I wouldn't know that since I only like good television.

Am I being mean? I guess I'm being mean. Ms. Lively is certainly easy on the eyes and for all I know, she can actually act. Considering that she beat out some pretty stiff competition like Jennifer Garner and Keri Russell for the part, she better be able to act. She'll be portraying Carol Ferris, the woman who hires Hal Jordan for her father's aerospace company and presumably falls in love with him, all the while not knowing his secret life as a superhero. My little friend Wikipedia tells me that in the comics she eventually becomes a supervillain called Star Sapphire. Sequel, perhaps?

After the bravura Casino Royale, Martin Campbell has the benefit of the doubt on every choice he makes. Green Lantern will be cowering at the sight of yellow come summer 2011.

(Via The Hollywood Reporter)

There's been a lot of noise from DC Comics and their parent company Warner Brothers ever since Marvel became their own studio and hit a box office home run with Iron Man. Let's separate rumor from reality and break down what's actually happening at the studio...

Definitely Happening

Green Lantern - Starts shooting in 2010 from director Martin Campbell (Casino Royale) with Ryan Reynolds as the cosmic ring-bearer Hal Jordan.

Jonah Hex - Josh Brolin stars as the title character in this horror/western from director Jimmy Heyward, set for wide release June 2010.

Lobo - This is slated to be Guy Ritchie's next film, hot off of Sherlock Holmes. The movie will be a PG-13 action-comedy, which has some of the more bloodthirsty Lobo purists in a tizzy.

Batman - While no formal announcement has been made about a new Batman sequel (allowing internet rumor mongering and fan speculation to run wild), this movie will happen, just as sure as there's a setting sun.