Official Green Lantern Casting and Discussion Thread

[Webhead2006]

i would totally be down with jensen for barry or hal i think he could be good for either.

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

I disagree he's more suited to Hal then Barry IMO.

Jensen's comedy style fits Flash like a glove. It's really what JA excels at the most.


I want someone with a more mature and sterner look and delivery for Hal.

Check out Hal Jordan in Mortal Kombat vs DCU. That's spot-on on how they should do Hal.

 

[Savage]

It's actually pretty funny picturing Ackles with Hal's hair but I can see it working. He'd be good as either Hal or Barry, really. The man's a good actor stuck on tv and crappy teen scream flicks. Waste of talent (with the exception of Supernatural. Lucky for him that show is actually written well).

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

Yeah.

But regardless, he's still a TV actor.

This film is more than likely going to have a film actor in the lead as Hal.

 

[Webhead2006]

yea maybe jensen can get lucky and find the right roles once supernatual is over that will make him a breakout actor. From what i heard kripke the creator of supernatural is only looking to do possibly one more season.

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

They're planning to start filming next year, so the casting would begin in a few months.

Jensen isn't likely to launch a movie career before then, he's beyond unlikely.

 

[Dark Knight]

I hope they go with Hartnett, Duhamel or Franco!

 

[ZIPBAGS]

I hope they go with Hartnett, Duhamel or Franco!

As a fan of Hal Jordan since 1979. I would go with Duhamel.

 

[Keyser Soze]

I dunno who I want for Hal now. Ryan Gosling was such a brilliant, inspired choice, I just can't think of someone I'd be as excited about taking the part now that he's reportedly turned it down.

 

[cerealkiller182]

I dont see Gosling as inspired at all. Hes just a good actor. Theres nothing that really gravitates casting of Hal to Gosling other than his reputation as a good actor (which I think is much stronger internally than externally)

 

[Double Down]

^ Exactly.

 

[Keyser Soze]

I dont see Gosling as inspired at all. Hes just a good actor. Theres nothing that really gravitates casting of Hal to Gosling other than his reputation as a good actor (which I think is much stronger internally than externally)

I think casting someone as Hal Jordan because they're a great actor is as good a reason as any, if not THE best reason. I was very excited by the casting of Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, that sold me on a movie and a hero I was largely indifferent to before that. Why? Because Robert Downey Jr has black hair like Tony Stark in the comics? No, because he's a great actor.

Similarly, when people were throwing faeces at their computer screens because Heath Ledger wasn't hook-nosed, banana-chinned or generally CrispinGloverish enough to be a match for comics Joker, I kept an open mind, even though it was unconventional casting. Why? Because Heath Ledger was a great actor. And the fact that they were looking for a great actor to play this role told me they wanted to treat the material with respect.

And it's the same with Green Lantern. Hal Jordan is 27 in the script, so we're looking at someone in that age range. And when WB reportedly approach first Ryan Gosling, then Casey Affleck, it tells me they're going for the very best actors in that age range. They're not going to cast some lesser actor just because he has a square-jaw and brown hair and parts his hair the way Hal does and fanboys can put up a picture of him next to a picture of Alex Ross' Hal and cream themselves over the likeness. They're looking for a scenario like Robert Downey Jr with Iron Man where the talented, respected lead actor draws in the strong ensemble, attracts a wider audience (I'd have gone to see a film with the cast of Incredible Hulk or Iron Man on the strength of the cast alone, even if it wasn't a comic book movie) and ultimately makes the role their own.

 

[Franklin Richards]

I can buy a 37 year old guy all made up for the "origin" scenes and then looking 30 something for the rest of the flick. Acting ranges are wide at those ages.

Nathan Fillion could make this movie an instant product. And good to boot.


:gl: :gl: :gl:

 

[cerealkiller182]

I think casting someone as Hal Jordan because they're a great actor is as good a reason as any, if not THE best reason. I was very excited by the casting of Robert Downey Jr as Iron Man, that sold me on a movie and a hero I was largely indifferent to before that. Why? Because Robert Downey Jr has black hair like Tony Stark in the comics? No, because he's a great actor.

Robert Downey Jr is a witty, fast talking celebrity with a history of bad habits.

Theres a lot of people that can be considered GREAT actors. That doesnt make them right for every role, or an INSPIRED decision.

Similarly, when people were throwing faeces at their computer screens because Heath Ledger wasn't hook-nosed, banana-chinned or generally CrispinGloverish enough to be a match for comics Joker, I kept an open mind, even though it was unconventional casting. Why? Because Heath Ledger was a great actor. And the fact that they were looking for a great actor to play this role told me they wanted to treat the material with respect.

Its been noted time and time again that Ledger has portrayed different aspects of Joker as individual characters, as well as showed really great range in general. Gosling has played pretty much ONLY introverted characters and Jordan is very much an extrovert.

And it's the same with Green Lantern. Hal Jordan is 27 in the script, so we're looking at someone in that age range. And when WB reportedly approach first Ryan Gosling, then Casey Affleck, it tells me they're going for the very best actors in that age range. They're not going to cast some lesser actor just because he has a square-jaw and brown hair and parts his hair the way Hal does and fanboys can put up a picture of him next to a picture of Alex Ross' Hal and cream themselves over the likeness. They're looking for a scenario like Robert Downey Jr with Iron Man where the talented, respected lead actor draws in the strong ensemble, attracts a wider audience (I'd have gone to see a film with the cast of Incredible Hulk or Iron Man on the strength of the cast alone, even if it wasn't a comic book movie) and ultimately makes the role their own.

Casting someone good is always great, but that still doesnt make Gosling right for the role. More specifically, it doesnt make him inspired when you are gunning for the best in the age range without regard of what they could actually bring to the character other than being highly acclaimed almost exclusively by film critics and film buffs, not the general audience.

You seem to think this has something to do with looks. It doesnt. Gosling has created a successful film career based on his portrayal of introverted, cerebral characters, characters the complete polar opposite of Hal. This isnt playing to his strengths, its playing to his name like its a brand.

 

[Kevin Smith]

I know...

Spoiler

I just read Rogues Revenge #3 where Captain Cold and the rest of them are basically told, by Libra, that The Flash they all first battled is returning, and Cold knows the score on that...I know that Wally is going to get a new costume and identity post Flash Rebirth so he will be around

Spoiler

Yeah, dude, isn't it great? I can't wait! The shots of Barry at the end of that ish were awesome. Yeah, they'll all be around, which is great. There's gonna be a new Flash #1 next year as well. I can't wait.

^ Is gonna be all kids of awesome.

now, back to this thread's topic..... t:

 

[Kevin Smith]

I was under the impression that they had retconned out some of Barry's more ridiculous speeds so that Wally, at his fastest, was faster than Barry. Do you know if that's accurate or not?

Unfortunately, there's no definite answer to that at the moment, so I'd say it's semi-accurate. I know there was a time when they had retconned a few things, altho they never made Barry only able to run at the speed of sound, I think during Waid's run he may have made Wally a little faster than Barry, but that's all been changed. Who knows what's canon anymore with all this retconning, right? All I know is this: In the current comics which are apparently combined with some of the silver age stuff, Wally is able to move near the speed of light, faster than the speed of sound but not faster than the speed of thought. In several silver age comics Barry was shown as going several times faster than the speed of light with minimum strain (faster than the speed of thought), and in Crisis he went even faster, so if all the above is in fact in continuity, then Barry is faster than Wally. In the Final Crisis books, Barry, Wally, and Jay were running thru time at their top speeds, Barry is in the front, Wally is trailing behind him in the middle, and Jay, trailing behing Wally, eventually had to stop because of his knees (poor Jay). So at the moment Barry is probably the fastest Flash. I'm sure all of this will be explained in Rebirth. Hope that helped a little...

 

[Kevin Smith]

And personally I think that the Flash in the Flash movie should be Barry Allen. It would seem weird to have a Green Lantern movie with Hal, a Batman movie with Bruce, a Captain Marvel movie with Billy, and a Flash movie with Wally.

Totally agreed.

Also Barry will be the star of the Flash reboot and is starting to get more exposure just like Hal is beginning with the Batman and Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe.

That is also true (Barry was the Flash on both The Batman and the DCU VS MK game) but there are other, more important reasons as to why Barry should get the first movie than just "he's the current Flash" (I'm sure you probably know that tho).

 

[Kevin Smith]

He doesnt really. He's better suited for Barry Allen.

Agreed. Ackles would make a decent Barry, he's not that great a choice for Hal tho.

 

[Saint]

Unfortunately, there's no definite answer to that at the moment, so I'd say it's semi-accurate. I know there was a time when they had retconned a few things, altho they never made Barry only able to run at the speed of sound, I think during Waid's run he may have made Wally a little faster than Barry, but that's all been changed. Who knows what's canon anymore with all this retconning, right? All I know is this: In the current comics which are apparently combined with some of the silver age stuff, Wally is able to move near the speed of light, faster than the speed of sound but not faster than the speed of thought. In several silver age comics Barry was shown as going several times faster than the speed of light with minimum strain (faster than the speed of thought), and in Crisis he went even faster, so if all the above is in fact in continuity, then Barry is faster than Wally. In the Final Crisis books, Barry, Wally, and Jay were running thru time at their top speeds, Barry is in the front, Wally is trailing behind him in the middle, and Jay, trailing behing Wally, eventually had to stop because of his knees (poor Jay). So at the moment Barry is probably the fastest Flash. I'm sure all of this will be explained in Rebirth. Hope that helped a little...

Just for clarification: Wally's top speed is actually over the speed of light, but performing at that level is dangerous and can result in trapping him in the speed force. This is what happened when he fought Cobalt Blue at the end of Chain Lightning. Then there was that fight with Zoom where they had very nearly come to a stop in the timestream (though, admittedly, this was with the added power of Jesse Quick fueling Wally).

 

[Kevin Smith]

Jensen's comedy style fits Flash like a glove. It's really what JA excels at the most.


I want someone with a more mature and sterner look and delivery for Hal.

Check out Hal Jordan in Mortal Kombat vs DCU. That's spot-on on how they should do Hal.

I totally agree with you. Jensen would definitely be a better Barry than Hal.

Hal (and Barry) was great in the DCU VS MK game. The suit was cool. Can't say the same for what they did to The Flash's suit in the game - why in the hell did they have to give Barry big gay armbands??? And gloves???? The Flash suit is really perfect the way it is, they actually made it less cool.

 

[Kevin Smith]

Just for clarification: Wally's top speed is actually over the speed of light, but performing at that level is dangerous and can result in trapping him in the speed force. This is what happened when he fought Cobalt Blue at the end of Chain Lightning.

Yeah, dude, but in a recent issue of The Flash where he fought Grodd (pre the current storyarc in which Wally is losing his powers) he remarked that he was able to move near the speed of light but was incapable of moving at the speed of thought, and I may be mistaken but I believe that the Cobalt Blue character has been retconned (God, I really hope so) out of current continuity.

Man, I ****ing hate Cobalt Blue and can't stand Mark Waid for not pitching that idea. Probably Waid's worst idea ever.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Robert Downey Jr is a witty, fast talking celebrity with a history of bad habits.

Theres a lot of people that can be considered GREAT actors. That doesnt make them right for every role, or an INSPIRED decision.

Its been noted time and time again that Ledger has portrayed different aspects of Joker as individual characters, as well as showed really great range in general. Gosling has played pretty much ONLY introverted characters and Jordan is very much an extrovert.

Casting someone good is always great, but that still doesnt make Gosling right for the role. More specifically, it doesnt make him inspired when you are gunning for the best in the age range without regard of what they could actually bring to the character other than being highly acclaimed almost exclusively by film critics and film buffs, not the general audience.

You seem to think this has something to do with looks. It doesnt. Gosling has created a successful film career based on his portrayal of introverted, cerebral characters, characters the complete polar opposite of Hal. This isnt playing to his strengths, its playing to his name like its a brand.

You seem to be operating under the belief that people can only play a character if they've played carbon copies of said characters before. But that's not the case. Just because Ryan Gosling hasn't played a charismatic, dashing ace pilot before doesn't mean he can't. You may not be willing to accept it, but Gosling has shown diversity in his choice of roles.

You say he only plays quiet, introverted characters, and yes, his role in Lars and the Real Girls fits into that category. But then you have his alpha-male attorney in Fracture, or his old-school romantic lead in The Notebook, or his twisted, frightening Jewish neo-Nazi in The Believer, or his deeply flawed but dedicated schoolteacher in Half-Nelson, a role he was deservingly Oscar-nominated for. He's an actor who, as a film fan, I would have been excited to see associated with the Green Lantern film. Which, I'm guessing, was WB's intention.

However, this argument is largely pointless. After all, Gosling apparently turned the role down.

 

[Brian Braddock]

I totally agree with you. Jensen would definitely be a better Barry than Hal.

Hal (and Barry) was great in the DCU VS MK game. The suit was cool. Can't say the same for what they did to The Flash's suit in the game - why in the hell did they have to give Barry big gay armbands??? And gloves???? The Flash suit is really perfect the way it is, they actually made it less cool.

Agreed.

Barry looked like he took his styling cues from the f***ing Ultimate Warrior.

 

[Kevin Smith]

As a fan of Hal Jordan since 1979. I would go with Duhamel.

Definitely Duhamel over Franco, that's for sure. Franco has already been a part of a major comic franchise, he's a good actor, but I don't see him as Hal. Franco as Hal is as stupid as the morons who want Aaron Eckhart to play Captain America when he's already played Two Face.

I'd be fine with Duhamel as Hal.

 

[Kevin Smith]

Agreed.

Barry looked like he took his styling cues from the f***ing Ultimate Warrior.

LMAO!!! Exactly!