Movies

The Green Lantern has DC Comics and Ryan Reynolds Going Green

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The internet is buzzing with more and more information about DC Comics next superhero film endeavor Green Lantern.

Although the film is not scheduled for release until next summer, anticipation is already building as the movie’s details are slowly revealed.

The film stars Ryan Reynolds (X-Men Origins: WolverineThe Proposal) as Hal Jordan, the first human to join the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic police force chosen by the Guardians of the Universe to use superpowered rings to protect balance and peace in the universe. Jordan, a gifted, yet cocky test pilot, enters the force proving his talents and willpower valuable in the fight to stop their enemy Parallax.

Expect to see several other familiar faces alongside Reynolds in this big screen adaptation of the popular DC Comics franchise as Blake Lively (Gossip Girl) joins as Carol Ferris, Jordan’s fellow pilot and love interest; Mark Strong (Sherlock Holmes) plays Green Lantern Corps mentor, Sinestro; and Peter Sarsgaard (An Education) appears as scientist Dr. Hector Hammond.

Entertainment Weekly unleashed the first look at Reynolds in full Green Lantern garb on their special Comic Con 2010 preview issue on July 23rd. The mostly computer generated costume features detailed muscle structure glowing with the same energetic light emanating from the Lanterns’ signature power ring. Earlier doubts have been squashed as the cover reveals the boundless abilities of both the CG apparel and costume designer Ngila Dickson, who won an Academy Award for her work on The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.

Some earlier apprehension towards director Martin Campbell’s choice of Reynolds as the title character was also soothed at this past weekend’s Comic Con panel for the film as he recited the famed Green Lantern oath per request of a young fan of the comic. Fans of superhero films and comics alike have raised concern over casting Reynolds as the Green Lantern since he portrayed Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverines and is selected to suit-up as the Marvel mutant in his own spin-off film currently in development, not to mention him having appeared in Blade: Trinity and his upcoming participation in the Dark Horse comic book-turned-film R.I.P.D.

Reynolds is leaving his mark all over the world of comics and films, and rightfully so as his respect and commitment to each character is apparent through his interviews and appearances. The speculation and scrutiny is not completely uncalled for, however, seeing as the Green Lantern already has an established fan base to satisfy in addition to a wider audience.

The vast influence and value of the fans is apparent as the Green Lantern madness spreads to the video game industry as well. Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in partnership with DC Entertainment announced on July 23, 2010 that they will introduce Green Lantern: Rise of the Manhunters, an action-adventure game inspired by the film that allows players to experience the power of the Green Lantern ring as they fight to restore balance in the universe. The game, which is set to be released in Summer 2011 like the movie, will be available on Xbox 360®, PlayStation® 3, Wii™ and Nintendo DS™.

With the excitement and interest in the Green Lantern film building so early on, the bar may be being set too high. Past cinematic manifestations of comic book or graphic novel favorites have let down many otherwise loyal fans. The hype surrounding DC Comic’s latest project is almost reminiscent of their previous Zach Snyder-directed adaptation of Alan Moore’s Watchmen in 2009. While Watchmen met considerable box office success, many believe it failed to truly capture the magnificence the original piece offered. Even Moore apparently told EW in an interview that he refused to see the film as he believed certain elements of his comic book would not successfully translate to other forms. One can only hope this will not be the case with Campbell’s Green Lantern.

Photos courtesy of sandooches and Gage Skidmore via flickr.

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