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

Fatboy Roberts said:
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.
No offense to you guys, but you did. You "begged the question", in other words you goated the entire conversation. I'm not trying to pin on you some evil "radio" taboo, however going back and listening to it a third time, yeah you did. However I am making sense of the interview, like I would examine any interview. I am not sure how you feel about Howard Stern, however when Fez made his big announcement about his herum of women it was much the same thing.
 
?? I still don't get it. We didn't goat a conversation, or uh..I'm thinking you mean goaded him into saying it, not trying to be a smartass, but just trying to make sense of that.

Anyway, no, we didn't. We expected him to tell us WHY that project fell apart (which we thought it had) and if you listen to how Cort asked the question, he obviously thought a) it was dead and b) Jack was going to lay into it himself. instead, we were surprised when he answered a) in the positive and b) in the PRESENT TENSE.

How else are we supposed to ask the follow-up when we realize he's speaking about NOW and not 3 years ago or whatever? So then I ask "wait, so you're saying you're still attached to this?" (I don't remember the exact wording right now) but it was a straight ahead question, we weren't trying to lead him to an answer or put words in his mouth, because that suggests we had an answer in mind when we started the questioning that we were trying to lead him to--and we were JUST as surprised as you guys when he said what he did.
 
Now wait a minute. Lets stop arguing and start asking questions. It seems like we have the person that interviewed Jack Black right here. So Fatboy, what inspired you to even interview Mr. Black. Was it the 2004 Aint it Cool News Article that was published on ther web or were you doing it as a prank? Can you get in touch with Black again to see if there are any other developements with the film?
 
dnno1 said:
So we won't be seeing Green Loontern again anytime soon eh?

680117433

Green Loontern
Green Loontern can pop up anytime he wants in WB cartoons. Doesn't have any significance in regards to a live action GL film.
 
We weren't really INSPIRED more like he was doing press for Nacho Libre and we wanted in on it. We're bigger Tenacious D fans on the show than we are anticipating Nacho Libre, but when we were told we could get him on the phone for a couple minutes, we jumped on it. To tell the truth, if Cort hadn't asked about Green Lantern, I would have totally forgotten the project existed. Our main goal was to get some details on the new Tenacious D film. The Green Lantern news was a total "wha-huh?" to us, we had no clue that was still anything.

We weren't doing anything as a prank, I think it just popped into Cort's head and so he asked about it.

We probably can't get back in touch with him because the interview was set up, as they usually are, through publicity departments--it was a Paramount thing, not a Jack Black thing. Sometimes we do luck out and get direct lines to celebrities and such, there's a couple interviews on our site where that happens--but even then, we're reluctant to just kick down the door and cold call them to ask about random things. :)
 
GL's Light said:
Green Loontern can pop up anytime he wants in WB cartoons. Doesn't have any significance in regards to a live action GL film.

In actuality. I think that Daffy should be considered an honorary Lantern just because he was in that episode. I really didn't get to see it but I think it is a great concept. If they could have characters like C'hip and G'nort as a part of the Green Lantern mythos, why not Green Loontern? Could you imagine a cameo apperance by (Daffy) Duck Dodgers as Green Loontern in the film in a lineup or something like that?

680117433

Green Loontern
 
Fatboy Roberts said:
We weren't really INSPIRED more like he was doing press for Nacho Libre and we wanted in on it. We're bigger Tenacious D fans on the show than we are anticipating Nacho Libre, but when we were told we could get him on the phone for a couple minutes, we jumped on it. To tell the truth, if Cort hadn't asked about Green Lantern, I would have totally forgotten the project existed. Our main goal was to get some details on the new Tenacious D film. The Green Lantern news was a total "wha-huh?" to us, we had no clue that was still anything.

We weren't doing anything as a prank, I think it just popped into Cort's head and so he asked about it.

We probably can't get back in touch with him because the interview was set up, as they usually are, through publicity departments--it was a Paramount thing, not a Jack Black thing. Sometimes we do luck out and get direct lines to celebrities and such, there's a couple interviews on our site where that happens--but even then, we're reluctant to just kick down the door and cold call them to ask about random things. :)
What about talking to the WB studios and seeing what you can squeeze out of them? You could probably use the interview with Black as leverage to try and get a confirmation.
 
Fatboy Roberts said:
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.
So does a story about intergalactic wizards wielding laser swords with effeminate droid sidekicks--oh wait, that's Star Wars.

That's pretty presumptive, right there.
No more so than assuming Green Lantern is naturally inclined towards comedy. Tell me, what part of my statement doesn't make sense? If a superhero comedy makes WB money, they'll make more superhero comedies.

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?
To what end? They'll do what they want regardless of what I know or think.
 
To what end?

To gain perspective and understanding? I mean, if that's the attitude, then why even pay attention or care, for that matter?

And again, nice with the Star Wars comparison, but that speaks a lot to the mythological elements that Lucas was tapping into at the time. Plus the universe, for all it's fantastical elements, was seriously grounded. It's hard to ground the Green Lantern in any way, really. That grounding and mythological strength (plus it's special effects breakthroughs) is what allowed for the movie to fold in the fantastical with ease. Green Lantern isn't as easily swallowed down, which is a fact again backed up by his profile in the public consciousness at large. Which is not high.

I mean, I brought up a bunch of other points besides that one, too, but all I'm getting is "What's the point in looking at it from another point of view" and "you're just as presumptive as I am."

Look, I'd prefer something other than Jack Black as Green Lantern, too. I've pretty much said as much throughout these posts. I'm not DEFENDING their move, but I can see why they'd take the tack they're taking, and I can ALSO see how the movie would be entertaining and could STILL work even with this new spin on the character.

I can also see how it'd suck, but you guys have that one covered so I don't need to pile on there in order to get the point heard, yunno? ;)
 
Fatboy Roberts said:
To gain perspective and understanding? I mean, if that's the attitude, then why even pay attention or care, for that matter?

And again, nice with the Star Wars comparison, but that speaks a lot to the mythological elements that Lucas was tapping into at the time. Plus the universe, for all it's fantastical elements, was seriously grounded. It's hard to ground the Green Lantern in any way, really. That grounding and mythological strength (plus it's special effects breakthroughs) is what allowed for the movie to fold in the fantastical with ease. Green Lantern isn't as easily swallowed down, which is a fact again backed up by his profile in the public consciousness at large. Which is not high.
That's bull. Star Wars was unheard of before it came out, and it is no where near as grounded as GL. Green Lantern at it's heart is about second chances (there is your grounding right there) and is no more unrealistic than "the force" or "the fellowship" in fact it's even more primal than both since it's a weapon (not and state of mind) and a military (not a randomly selected group of people). Green Lantern is a man who lost his father in a military test plane accident, who became an alcoholic because of it and alienated himself from his friends. Thats something people can relate to a lot easier than force wielding Jedi. He gets power, and has to choose between using it for good or his own personal ends. Also that power test his internal strength. I must have missed that part how that is not grounded.
 
Fatboy Roberts said:
To gain perspective and understanding? I mean, if that's the attitude, then why even pay attention or care, for that matter?
Again, to what end? If they're going to rape Green Lantern, it's going to suck whether I understand why they did it or not.

And again, nice with the Star Wars comparison, but that speaks a lot to the mythological elements that Lucas was tapping into at the time. Plus the universe, for all it's fantastical elements, was seriously grounded.
Kind of like Green Lantern?

It's hard to ground the Green Lantern in any way, really.
Then how have writers been doing it for forty years? I don't comprehend how intergalactic wizards and quirky droids is any easier to ground than an intergalactic police force with an agent on earth.

That grounding and mythological strength (plus it's special effects breakthroughs) is what allowed for the movie to fold in the fantastical with ease. Green Lantern isn't as easily swallowed down, which is a fact again backed up by his profile in the public consciousness at large. Which is not high.

I mean, I brought up a bunch of other points besides that one, too, but all I'm getting is "What's the point in looking at it from another point of view" and "you're just as presumptive as I am."

That's right: I have no intention of looking at it from another point of view. Ever. That's not sarcasm. Green Lantern is not a comedy. If WB wants to make a superhero comedy, they can damn well use Plastic Man, because that's what plastic man is about. I will never, under ANY circumstances, support a mockery being made of a property like this. Tim Burton making Superman a brooding goth played by a blading middle-aged man was stupid, and so is making Green Lantern a fat comedian.

If you're going to adapt something, ACTUALLY ADAPT IT. When you just take the name and tack it on to something else, you get Catwoman. I don't care what the studio wants, what makes them money, and I surely don't care about the general populace. All i care about is sitting in a theatre and watching something that isn't Green Lantern In Name Only.

Look, I'd prefer something other than Jack Black as Green Lantern, too. I've pretty much said as much throughout these posts. I'm not DEFENDING their move, but I can see why they'd take the tack they're taking, and I can ALSO see how the movie would be entertaining and could STILL work even with this new spin on the character.
So you ARE defending it. It doesn't matter if it's entertaining if it's NOT GREEN LANTERN. And if it's a comedy starring Jack Black, no, that is not Green Lantern. That is their original product with the Green Lantern name stapled to the front.

If they want to produce a stupid fluff movie about a fat comedic superhero, then they can think up their own fuc*ing ideas. They shouldn't use Green Lantern unless they actuall intend to USE GREEN LANTERN.
 
whoa, biz, mind if I interject before you return?

well maybe jack black won't be fat and comedic. well just have to wait and see.
 
Wesyeed said:
whoa, biz, mind if I interject before you return?

well maybe jack black won't be fat and comedic. well just have to wait and see.
If he is not, then there are better actors (and one who actually wants the part of Jon Stewart named Corey Renyolds) out there to cast as Hal, Jon or Kyle.
 
Jack Black as Green Lantern would be the worst cast decision ever in the long sad history of bad casting decisions.
 
I read this today and thought that they are truly setting themselves up for disappointment BIG time!

I think that they should use a black guy to play GL like in the JLA cartoon. It would be cool to see and would definitely be good to see a black superhero on his own.
 
blade much?

j/k that's what I like about the gl, anybody or thing can be one even me, I believe.

I see what you're saying shadow. I like black and wouldn't mind if he was the man with the green ring to rule them all but maybe people who actually read the comics won't... who knows...
 
Star Wars was unheard of before it came out, and it is no where near as grounded as GL.

Sure it is. Equally if not more so (and I'd think you'd find more arguments behind "more so" as a matter of fact) Again, where Star Wars is Mythical, GL just ends up feeling sorta weird.

I don't comprehend how intergalactic wizards and quirky droids is any easier to ground than an intergalactic police force with an agent on earth.

Well, 12 billion dollars worth of other consumers have comprehended that just fine.

C'mon man. Comparing Green Lantern to Star Wars just sorta shows your tunnelvision on this. If you're not even going to TRY to see it from the other side, then there's no point really, is there. It's not like I can't see it from your side, but I can see it from there, and knowing that, I can better try to see how it STILL might be good.

This isn't a war. It's a movie. Drawing sides makes no sense to me.

The raw fact is that he's had 40 years to break out of b-level status. He hasn't. He doesn't capture much but a small portion of the possible audience. It's happened before--I love Firefly to death, but both the series AND the show tanked hard. People didn't dig it all that much. I did, and I loved it to death, but this comic has PROVEN, over 40 years, to be more Firefly and less Star Wars, since we keep using the "Space wizards" comparison. With that much hanging around it, Studios are going to look at it as a means to make money, and if Green Lantern can't even break out in the COMICS, they're going to expect him to break out in the films?

I'm telling you, that's how they're looking at it. It is what it is.
 
Newsarama is reporting that Corey Reynolds wants a chance at playing Green Lantern.

COREY REYNOLDS: GREEN LANTERN TO BE?
Corey.jpg
by Steve Fritz

If you were to ask Corey Reynolds, he’s having the time of his life.

Not even 30, he’s worked his way from regional theatre to Broadway and now to a key supporting role in TNT’s The Closer. Of course, this begs one highly important question for the actor who plays Sgt. David Gabriel.

Marvel or DC?

“I have my favorites on both sides, but my heart is with DC,” he replies, “because DC has the Green Lantern. Green Lantern is my favorite comic book hero.”

That begs a second critical question. So is your favorite Lantern? Hal? Guy? Kyle? Who?

“Now Hal Jordan is the ultimate Green Lantern,” Reynolds admits, “but my favorite is John Stewart. I believe that it really is about time for a black, traditional, All-American hero and Stewart represents that.

“He’s gone through everything from being paralyzed to being healed, to being placed in charge of it all, to patrolling 2814. He’s gone through everything. But when you look at his back story as far as where he comes from., how he grew up, that he’s an architect by trade, I think it’s very interesting to think that someone like him was given the ability to just about anything they want with their mind. I also think it’s interesting that he has such a creative mind to begin with. I love the whole idea that the combination of will and determination being the link to his abilities. So I think he would be a really interesting character to bring to the screen, and I’m working hard to make it happen.”

You read that right. Reynolds is currently hard at work on obtaining the rights to DC’s Green Lantern franchise. Ambitious, even for an actor who’s only truly starting to get his first true taste of national exposure. Then again, we’re also talking about one huge comic book fan here; one who is actually working for a subsidiary of Warner Bros. Stranger things have happened in Hollywood, and some have even worked out.

From the amount of thought Reynolds has put into John Stewart, he just might pull it off.

“I’d rather not discuss the business aspect as they are still very up in the air, but ultimately yes, it would be Warner Bros. I would be working with,” says Reynolds. “After all, they own the comic. Also, with the success of Batman Begins and the anticipated success of Superman Returns, there’s talk.”

There’s still one major question though, and that is what direction would Reynolds take this particular Emerald Knight? As he acknowledged, Stewart’s been through more than his share of changes since he was introduced. Also, there’s the matter of how he’s been redefined again through Bruce Timm and crew’s Justice League series.

“Story-wise the direction I’m going is more true to the comic,” says Reynolds. “What I think is interesting about this way is normally a lot of heroes are just born that way or are born knowing they have a path to travel. John always felt there was a purpose to his life, he just didn’t know what capacity it would be in. Then, all of a sudden, he is handed this tremendous gift and not everyone is prepared for that.

“I’d love for it to be a series. I think I would need about three films to tell the story that I’d want to. I’d like to use the first film to paint the picture of what he is as a man. I’d also challenge the viewer to what they would be like if they were given the same responsibility. How would they handle it? Hopefully that would be the bridge between all the versions of him.

“I think the interesting thing about bringing the big guy to the screen is finding the balance between those who see him the way Bruce Timm and Phil LaMarr made him, and the version in the comics,” says Reynolds. “If that isn’t enough, one also when doing a movie one also has to make him interesting to people who have never read the comics or seen the cartoon, especially as he doesn’t get as much hype as many other characters at DC. He’s not just what the younger kids have seen, this big brooding character from the cartoons.”

Reynolds also has a very strong idea what kind of movie his Green Lantern would be.

“Visually, I think the film could be stunning,” he said. “Bryan Singer would be the director I would salivate to have. When he worked on the X-Men movies he created this incredibly organic world that made you believe the characters that were in there. He really captured that series the way I think the fans would have wanted it to be.”

As for other Lanterns making an appearance, Stewart admits there he has to be a bit of a realist. “I think that’s something we will see happen. Some of them will be on screen while others will only be alluded to. I have to be careful to not step on other potential franchises. If possible, in the second film I want to throw a reference in to the League as a whole, and John joining.”

In the meantime, he appears to be having the time of his life playing Sgt. Gabriel.

“It has its plusses and minuses,” says Reynolds. “On the plus side I’m allowed to make mistakes. After all, it’s my first experience not only with a TV series, but with the camera altogether. Before The Closer my entire experience has been in live performance. So I’m going from stage to screen. The good news is everyone has their role both on the screen and in the family. I’m in the position that I can ask questions and not look silly.”

“Gabriel is the youngest of the characters, but he got there because he deserved to. After all, his rank is sergeant and all the characters know he’s on the accelerated path. He was also brought in because he’s one of the few who understand Kyra’s character as a person. He also knows she’s the best person he can have to mentor him and help him along on the path that’s been made for him. It’s very big sister/ little brother.

“Another thing about Gabriel, along with John Stewart for that matter,” Reynolds continues, “is both have an innate sense of seeing right from wrong. He also is compelled to insure that justice prevails. Last year was about establishing the relationships inside the squad. This season it will be about the squad going up against the LAPD as a whole. I think the viewers will really enjoy it.”

And working on a Warner Bros./Turner-produced show has its perks. For instance, Reynolds apparently has all the Justice League DVDs in his trailer for his viewing pleasure…including the unreleased stuff.

And as an admittedly huge comic book fan, the steady income of a successful TV actor has been doing wonders for the personal collection.

“I do a lot of my shopping through the Internet and especially eBay for things that are hard to find,” says Reynolds. “I recently found a mint condition 1984 Hall of Justice headquarters on there. The collection of action figures has exploded now that I have the resources to pamper myself with. I probably have a total of 600 to 700 action figures in my collection. The comic book collection itself was lost in my move from the East Coast to LA, where a lot of my good stuff got destroyed. I’ve recouped as much of it as I could but one thing I’m proud to say I have is a lithograph of John Stewart signed by Bruce Timm.”

Lord knows what will happen to that collection if the Warners does give this man the green light on the Lantern project. Then again, it probably couldn’t be in better hands.

http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73962
 
Fatboy Roberts said:
...and if Green Lantern can't even break out in the COMICS, they're going to expect him to break out in the films?
Green Lantern is a top 10 selling comic book right now. I think that qualifies as breaking out in the COMICS.

This argument about comics that aren't famous to the general public being somehow unworthy of faithful film adaptations just doesn't hold water. Any number of B-list, and even C-list, comics properties have been made into successful films, and they were successful because the filmmakers tapped into what made the comics cool in the first place. The point isn't that every comic has a pre-sold audience of millions, almost none of them do, the point is that comics have great stories, and great concepts, that can be made into films that are both creatively and commercially successful.

I'm telling you, that's how they're looking at it. It is what it is.
And there's an argument to be made that they're wrong to look at it that way. Not just creatively, but commercially as well.

The upper box office range of Jack Black comedy vehicles is, so far, $ 130-140 million worldwide. That's great if your budget is low, not great at all if you've pumped a lot of money into a comedy heavy on FX, as a GL comedy would be. The box office returns for live action superhero comedies have been relatively low, and Black's box office track record doesn't suggest that he'd change that (we'll see if Nacho Libre can break through to a higher box office level than his past comedy vehicles). If they make GL as a comedy they could easily have another Mystery Men on their hands.
 
Fatboy Roberts said:
Well, 12 billion dollars worth of other consumers have comprehended that just fine.

C'mon man. Comparing Green Lantern to Star Wars just sorta shows your tunnelvision on this.
The difference is this: Star Wars was made, Green Lantern has not been. That's the only difference.

If you're not even going to TRY to see it from the other side, then there's no point really, is there. It's not like I can't see it from your side, but I can see it from there, and knowing that, I can better try to see how it STILL might be good.
It doesn't matter how good a film they make if it's not a good Green Lantern film.

This isn't a war. It's a movie. Drawing sides makes no sense to me.
It makes perfect sense: there is a right and wrong way to do a comic book adaptation. When you decide to throw the spirit of the character out the window, that is the wrong way. It doesn't matter if you still make a good film, your film stills fails as an adaptation.

It has been proven time and time again in movies like Steel, Catwoman, Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, and so on.

The raw fact is that he's had 40 years to break out of b-level status. He hasn't.
You may want to look up his sales lately. Green Lantern sells in the top ten, which in a season if Crises, Civil Wars, and 52s is no small feat.

He doesn't capture much but a small portion of the possible audience. It's happened before--I love Firefly to death, but both the series AND the show tanked hard. People didn't dig it all that much. I did, and I loved it to death, but this comic has PROVEN, over 40 years, to be more Firefly and less Star Wars, since we keep using the "Space wizards" comparison. With that much hanging around it, Studios are going to look at it as a means to make money, and if Green Lantern can't even break out in the COMICS, they're going to expect him to break out in the films?

How many times do I have to repeat that I understand why the studio would make it a comedy? I JUST. DON'T. CARE. If they don't think doing a faithful version will make money, THEN THEY SHOULDN'T DO IT AT ALL. They can go do their Jack Black superhero comedy WITHOUT raping Green Lantern.
 
Batman said:
Newsarama is reporting that Corey Reynolds wants a chance at playing Green Lantern.



http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73962

If this is true that the whole Jack Black thing may just be a hoax. The article is saying that Reynolds not only wants to play Green Lantern, but he wants to buy the rights to the film. He would even love to have Bryan Singer as the director. It is begining to sound more and more like Black is just pimping Green Lantern to get publicity for his upcoming film "Nacho Libre". That's too bad though.
 
I like both Jack Black and Green Lantern, but mixing them is like Ice Cream and Mustard together. Just doesn't work. If Jack really is using GL to publicise "Nacho" thats really sad. I can't blame him for answering a question though.
 
corey'd make a good replacement for winston in a ghostbusters returns movie. He's a tv actor? Oh, that's alright I suppose...
 
Batman said:
Newsarama is reporting that Corey Reynolds wants a chance at playing Green Lantern.



http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?t=73962

As much as I dont want John Stewart to be the GL in the first film, if he was then that guy totally deserves to play him. He seems to be a huge fan of the comics which I completely respect.

Personally, i'd love a series of films, starting with Hal Jordan, than introducing others as they go along. I'd love to eventually see a film with all 4 main Earth Green Lanterns, although I doubt that would happen.
 

Users who are viewing this thread

Back
Top
monitoring_string = "afb8e5d7348ab9e99f73cba908f10802"