Jack Black as GL? Why god...WHY?!

[Saint]

he's had like what, 40 years now? He's settled into his role as a b-level superhero, best used as A supporting character in a team-up book. Again, I like Green Lantern. Hell, I thought the "New Frontier" series that Darwyn Cooke did was more like "A Green Lantern story co-starring the Justice League" and I loved the hell out of that. But again, the concept that works with me, because of my history with comics, might not be percieved as being able to work with newcomers to his story.

Again, his revolving door of main characters as Green Lantern, and the 40+ year history of not being able to crack the top echelon of superheroes is a heavy strike against the character when executives are looking at how to make a movie about him. He ends up looking VERY malleable and easy to re-shape.

There's no guarantee it'd HAVE to be a "zany comedy" just because Jack Black is in it.

And, remember, when we talked to him, he was like, punch-drunk off 2 hours sleep and on his last phone interview of the day. It's not entirely impossible that he was just talking out of his ass to f**k with a couple radio *****ebags who were asking him questions about some real old stuff.

But the answer DID sound honest, though. So I'm gonna take him at his word.

I think the fanbase argument is irrelevant. Daredevil and Ghost Rider are no more popular than Green Lantern--Ghost Rider much less so, actually--and yet they have been afforded serious, faithful films (mistakes made in Daredevil not withstanding). I think the route to go with GL should be obvious to anyone. I think as a sci-fi epic is has much more money-making potential than as a goddamn comedy with Jack Black.

Most important of all, who cares what studios want? Of course, realistically we're stuck with what they want either way, but we don't have to accept it just because it makes sense to them. Jack Black as GL is moronic no matter how you slice it. Sure, if this comedy route makes money they'll make more comic book films, but they'll make more stupid comedies. If I choice between a disgusting, offensive, raping of Green Lantern and no Green Lantern at all, I'll take the latter.

 

[supermanager]

has anyone bothered to perhaps think that maybe jack black might actually work out and get ripped for the role of green lantern,

i mean its not too far fetched for jack black to trim down and have a six pack,

i think it might work

 

[Lestat74]

There are only 5 DC Super Heroes that could feasibly have the popularity to warrant their own films: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash AND Green Lantern. True, Robin, Nightwing, Supergirl, Batgirl etc. are also iconic, but they are spin-off characters and would be better used in Batman or Superman sequels. Those 5 are DC's Icons, and been the only characters to headline their own solo books almost consistently for some 65 years now ( minus a few years off in the 50's for Flash and GL ) Characters like Green Arrow, Martian Manhunter, and even Hawkman have always had a hard time holding on to their own titles, and frankly I think they work better as supporting cast members. Flash and Wonder Woman seem to be in good hands, if they do GL right, They have the opportunity for a live action Justice League Movie, which would make ( and no doubt cost ) a fortune. It's a possibility that Warners is no doubt aware of, so I doubt they are gonna go the silly spoof route with GL for that reason. Plus, wasn't the uproar of the first Jack Black as GL rumor so huge that they had to make a public retraction in the pages of Entertainment Weekly? They know what the fans think. And while many may percieve GL as second tier, he is at least somewhat well known...not more than a few weeks go by that I don't see someone wearing a GL shirt or Hoodie on the street. He's become kind of iconic, even to non comics people.

 

[Spider - Man]

Just as ignorant as all you clowns getting up an arms, without even entertaining the thought of a successful humorous take on the Green Lantern character.


He has a fan base. Not at the level of the big dogs.

PJ wouldn't do a different style with LOTR, because it has a serious following, in MASS numbers. It's a piece of literary history, that has reached many people. Green Lantern and his mythos is less known than even Dick Tracy. Who is there to offend? Just the followers of the comic. And they can keep reading that for a serious take on the character.

First of all, I'm not getting up in arms, just taken aback by the ignorance of your comments as I stated. And once again you make insulting comments to anyone who is a fan of GL. LOTR has a "serious" following? Meaning GL doesn't? "Who is there to offend? JUST the followers of the comic". Again, such a stupid remark from you.

Just for the record, I am neither a fan of LOTR OR the Green Lantern. I AM a fan of comics in general. THEY are my literary history. And I think that each character deserves respect. A comedy GL movie would NOT respect the character.

I'm just curious who YOUR fictional hero is, Whack? Let's see if the prospect of a comedy version of that character played by someone who makes a living being a buffoon would please you!

Edit: I responded to your post before I read further and realized you had been banned for your attitude. I have to say, there is room for evryone's opinion, but when you can't respect others' fondness for a character just because you don't share it or you can't support your opinion without name calling, you should probably go where there others of a like mind. It seems you aren't a GL fan so why would you even want to comment on these boards anyway? Just to be confrontational.

When I was in school, if 2 people had a difference of opinion that escalated to this point, our coach would put us on the wrestling mat or the boxing ring to settle it. Shame we can't do that here!

 

[Hunter Rider]

Sorry, Hunter Rider, didn't mean to ignore you.

To answer your question, I wouldn't mind one or two supporting characters providing some comic relief in a GL film (like the droids do in Star Wars), but I wouldn't want to see Jack Black play any part in it - I'm just not a fan of his.

I see,well that's understandable then,personally i wouldn't mind him as light relief GL support to the main
I wonder which GL they would start with if they made it serious

BTW Whack,clear your PM's so i can send you your avvy

 

[dnno1]

First of all, I'm not getting up in arms, just taken aback by the ignorance of your comments as I stated. And once again you make insulting comments to anyone who is a fan of GL. LOTR has a "serious" following? Meaning GL doesn't? "Who is there to offend? JUST the followers of the comic". Again, such a stupid remark from you.

Just for the record, I am neither a fan of LOTR OR the Green Lantern. I AM a fan of comics in general. THEY are my literary history. And I think that each character deserves respect. A comedy GL movie would NOT respect the character.

I'm just curious who YOUR fictional hero is, Whack? Let's see if the prospect of a comedy version of that character played by someone who makes a living being a buffoon would please you!

Edit: I responded to your post before I read further and realized you had been banned for your attitude. I have to say, there is room for evryone's opinion, but when you can't respect others' fondness for a character just because you don't share it or you can't support your opinion without name calling, you should probably go where there others of a like mind. It seems you aren't a GL fan so why would you even want to comment on these boards anyway? Just to be confrontational.

When I was in school, if 2 people had a difference of opinion that escalated to this point, our coach would put us on the wrestling mat or the boxing ring to settle it. Shame we can't do that here!

Hey don't even try to go there. Green Lantern can not compare with LOTR. Tolkien is taught in college literature courses troughout the US. I can't say the same for Green Lantern although I can see the potential to capture Sci-Fi/Fantacy fanatics with a space based story arch involving the GL corps. Let's not harp on the fact that Jack Black being in the film necessitates that it is going to be a comedy. Once again, like I have said before, there has been not director announced and there is no script written so it is really uncertain what the film will be like (if it even goes forwar to production).

 

[Fatboy Roberts]

I think the fanbase argument is irrelevant.

You can think that. But it IS relevant. Your examples of Ghost Rider and Daredevil are pretty good--but again, their concepts aren't as outlandish to work around. Ghost Rider is possessed. That's easy. Exorcist, The Crow--there's a history there with the audience. That ghostly aspect is just common enough that you don't really have to alter the character and can get him up onscreen rather faithfully and still have it be somewhat palatable for newcomers. Same with Daredevil: He's just blind. The superpower he has is gained rather simply, and is really easy to understand.

Again, not at all the same as Green Lantern, who have weird egg-head shaped aliens with thin mustaches passing down a giant train lantern from the 20's that glows green and fuels a ring that turns you into an intergalactic cop that can make your every imagination real. It SOUNDS like a high-concept comedy. It just does.

Sure, if this comedy route makes money they'll make more comic book films, but they'll make more stupid comedies.

That's pretty presumptive, right there. And as far as "who cares what the studios think" well, YOU SHOULD. It helps get a better handle on how these things work and what to expect. Know your enemy and all that, right?

 

[C. Lee]

Where were you guys when the Catwoman threads were poping up? I have seen worse from the Catwoman Haturz league and you want to put a guy like Wack Arnolds on propation because he doesn't share the same opinion as you? What kind of mods are you guys anyway?

Neither Me or Morg were moderators during the "Catwoman" days.....so how exactly are we to be held accountable for actions taken or not taken then?

It's not about having the same opinion or not....it's about calling people names...being told to stop it by a mod....continuing to call people names....being told to stop by a second mod....and yet still continuing to call people names.

 

[GL's Light]

Again, not at all the same as Green Lantern, who have weird egg-head shaped aliens with thin mustaches passing down a giant train lantern from the 20's that glows green and fuels a ring that turns you into an intergalactic cop that can make your every imagination real. It SOUNDS like a high-concept comedy. It just does.

"A hotshot test pilot is recruited into an intergalactic police force" sounds like the basis for a cool space saga to me, rather than a comedy. Of course the film adaptation would have to change some things so that it would work as a live action film - for instance, I'd make the GL uniforms look more like cop uniforms rather than superhero spandex costumes.

GL should be Men in Black meets Star Wars (although with less comedy than Men in Black) - it doesn't have to be grim and gritty, it can have a fair amount of comic relief, but the concept is too good to throw away as a knockabout Mask-style comedy.

 

[dnno1]

Neither Me or Morg were moderators during the "Catwoman" days.....so how exactly are we to be held accountable for actions taken or not taken then?

It's not about having the same opinion or not....it's about calling people names...being told to stop it by a mod....continuing to call people names....being told to stop by a second mod....and yet still continuing to call people names.

Let me PM you .

 

[The Batman]

i find it funny that dnno didnt respond to my post about GL ten coming out in march and being the number 8 comic of the month....

 

[C. Lee]

Let me PM you .

Anyone can PM me at anytime. That's what I'm here for.

 

[GL's Light]

As for this talk about superhero comedies being more accessible to general audiences, and therefore more likely to be box office hits, it just doesn't match up to the reality of box office returns.

The Mask was a smash hit twelve years ago, but since then superhero comedies have shown very little box office potential. Mystery Men and Son of the Mask were expensive flops. They kept the budget for Sky High low, so it turned a profit, but it didn't gross much money by the standards of the superhero genre. Serious, faithful comic book adaptations have delivered much better returns than comedic ones.

 

[dnno1]

What about "The Incredibles"? That was a hit. Although it wasn't considered a comedy, "Fantastic Four" did have its moments and it was a hit as well. We will have to see next month if "My Super Ex-Girlfriend" makes the cut. I don't think you can necessarily say that a comic book filme has to be serious or dark to be successful.

 

[Fatboy Roberts]

but the concept is too good to throw away as a knockabout Mask-style comedy

Again, here's the thing: Jack Black doesn't necessarily equal "Knockabout Mask-style comedy" we're ASSUMING, but there's nothing that says that's DEFINITELY how the thing is gonna be. Black has more range than that. Again, I brought up "The Last Starfighter" earlier as probably a more valid comparison point. Having Jack Black in that sort of role, with that flavor of movie (again, maybe cross pollinated with MIB) would fit, I think. It'd be more tailored towards the humorous side, yeah, but people are expecting The Pest starring John Leguizamo here, and that's just going overboard in the opposite direction.

 

[Mrh7448]

I think it's a mistake to make it a comedy, they'll lose the entire fan base that's been built around the comics. Yes it can have comedic elements but should not be an all out comedy.

Yes Jack Black can do dramatic roles, but do you really see him as GL? He'd have to trim down quite a bit to fit that spandex suit.

It's been shown that dramatic superhero franchises work and that more than one can exist, so why would they change it now. Oh, there's no room for anymore serious superhero franchises we better make this a comedy. That just doesn't add up.

 

[GL's Light]

If they hire Jack Black for a Green Lantern film it will be a slapstick Mask-style comedy. That's an assumption, but it's an assumption with a 99% likelihood of being correct. That's Hollywood, baby.

Yes, The Incredibles was a hit, but it was an animated original, not a live action adaptation. Different beasts entirely, in my opinion. I think the box office returns for My Super Ex-Girlfriend, and for Zoom, for that matter, will further confirm that live action superhero comedies don't have much box office upside.

And I don't think every superhero film has to be dark, gritty and ultra-serious. A light adventure film with some comedy relief is just fine for some properties, and could work for GL - but a knockabout comedy GL isn't the way to go.

 

[The Batman]

And i cant believe...some of you are still trying to justify this....

Cause i know most of you would whine and complain if a new batman movie were done in the Adam West style....I know you guys would scream bloddy murder if wonder woman were done "Super Ex Girlfriend" style and done like the lynda carter show....so why is it GL, one of the most respected Dc heroes, can be screwed over while batman and wonder woman can be untouchable?

 

[ShadowBoxing]

I think if they have a chance to do a JLA movie, the push will be to keep the BIG 7 serious. I doubt DC will go allong with this.

 

[Hunter Rider]

If ppl got into the Matrix i think they could get into GL without it being comedic

 

[ToddIsDead]

And i cant believe...some of you are still trying to justify this....

Cause i know most of you would whine and complain if a new batman movie were done in the Adam West style....I know you guys would scream bloddy murder if wonder woman were done "Super Ex Girlfriend" style and done like the lynda carter show....so why is it GL, one of the most respected Dc heroes, can be screwed over while batman and wonder woman can be untouchable?

It seems that a lot of the people trying to argue that it's a good idea don't realize that GL is one of DC's most respected heroes. He has been around for 60 years and been appearing in books consistantly for almost that whole time. He's in the top five tier, alongside Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Flash. Why do you think those five are in almost every incarnation of the Justice League? Because they're the publisher's most popular characters. All very respected with sixty years worth of history.

 

[ShadowBoxing]

Those radio guys put a lot of words in his mouth regarding GL. All he said was a script was written (which we knew) and that he "would still be up for it". He did not say WB/DC was still up for it. There is no way anyone is this monumentally stupid to "sully" GL's name like this....actually I bet JLU helped GL a lot in terms of getting a serious adaptation.

 

[JackBauer]

dumbest f***in idea they could have come up with.

I know I'm kind of late on this, but I just had to vent.

 

[Fatboy Roberts]

Oh, there's no room for anymore serious superhero franchises we better make this a comedy.

Again, you're way oversimplifying and stacking the deck here. It could be funny, but you can be funny and not Jim Carrey. And there's no saying that there's "no room for serious superhero franchises" as a mode of reasoning. The character is just sorta goofy. He's GREEN LANTERN. Look at it objectively and see why the people on the hook for 50 or 60 million dollars to make this thing would try and figure out what row to hoe in order to return all the investment.

Again, Green Lantern doesn't sell that many comics, and Green Lantern isn't all that well known as a character outside of being one of Superman's sidekicks on Justice League. The concept of the character is cool but it's not GRABBY on a wide scale. The character swaps, the sales, the presence in the public mind--that all reinforces that. I mean, you guys sorta have to sub-compartmentalize by saying he's 5th most important superhero on the DC side. Well, moviegoers don't really give a crap what comics company the superheroes come from, yunno? Ranking 5th in DC isn't carrying a lot of weight there.

Its' grabbed you, and that's cool. I like it as well, I do. But if he's been proven, in the comics, to never get all THAT large, and the sales numbers back that up, and the presence isn't overwhelming, studios are going to look at the hooks available to them to see how best to get a return on their investment.

And again, don't misunderstand me as an ADVOCATE for these people. I'm just trying to show WHY the concept of Jack Black as the Green Lantern has fit to WB.

The profile, the prestige--I'm sorry, but for general audiences, it's just not there for Green Lantern. That's pretty much accepted. I think it sucks too, I like the character, but that's just how it is.

Those radio guys put a lot of words in his mouth regarding GL.

Wait what? No we didn't. We asked what was up with the Green Lantern project (and spoke about it in the PAST TENSE) and he answered in the PRESENT TENSE. We asked him to clarify if that meant he was still on the hook for the role and he said yeah. He said there's a project, there's a script, he hasn't read it, but he hopes it's good. We didn't put that in his mouth.

 

[dnno1]

If they hire Jack Black for a Green Lantern film it will be a slapstick Mask-style comedy. That's an assumption, but it's an assumption with a 99% likelihood of being correct. That's Hollywood, baby.

Yes, The Incredibles was a hit, but it was an animated original, not a live action adaptation. Different beasts entirely, in my opinion. I think the box office returns for My Super Ex-Girlfriend, and for Zoom, for that matter, will further confirm that live action superhero comedies don't have much box office upside.

And I don't think every superhero film has to be dark, gritty and ultra-serious. A light adventure film with some comedy relief is just fine for some properties, and could work for GL - but a knockabout comedy GL isn't the way to go.

So we won't be seeing Green Loontern again anytime soon eh?

Green Loontern