The Official Marc Guggenheim & Script Discussion Thread (Spoilers)

[ALKAL]

Hi!

Can someone PM me the link to the script?

Thank you!

 

[Octoberist]

Well, I finally read it.

And I liked it. There are some great scenes, some ruined would-be great scenes, and some eye-rolling inducing ones.

I'm with the majority of you who have actually read it...I don't like the tone in the first act much at all. It IS Iron Man. A DC/WB version of Favreau's Iron Man. Hal Jordan feels like a toned down version of Tony Stark, withouth the money and power, at least in the first act. He even has Stark's same character arc.

Berlanti wants us to think he's "cool"...So his introduction is the aftermath of him banging a yoga instructor, then being chased by her "Huge Motherf***ing Boyfriend"...Running late to a test flight at Ferris Aircraft. Comedy gold!

Carol Ferris is OK. She's the most normal person in the script, I guess. There's not much to her character, but at least she's not irritating or anything. I wish her history with Hal had been explored a bit more.

"Pieface" is the comic relief. He ruins what is to me a pivotal scene in the movie, and is basically a huge fanboy. Some of you guys say he's comparable to Anthony Anderson's character in Transformers....And I somewhat agree. But he's a toned down version of that. As long as the actor does not play him as an overexcited geek I don't think anyone should care much...He does have a couple of funny lines/moments.

Hector Hammond is OK. If there is one thing this script is missing, that would be a strong antagonist. Next to Legion, who is basically just a metaphor-ish monster thing, he's the main baddie in the movie. He does some fun things with his powers, but he seems a bit of a standard villain. Kind of like Stane in Iron Man, withouth the added presence of a Jeff Bridges. Of course, this depends on who they cast, although based on Hammond's powers, he should be more fun to follow around that Stane was. And his first confrontation with GL after the death of Senator Hammond I really dug.

There is one scene that irritated me a bit, and that is Hal Jordan's discovery of Abin Sur, and the passing of the ring. This moment is completely iconic to me, but, to break the tension, I guess, Berlanti feels the need to intercut to TOM KALMAKU, in full geek mode, boasting about how he just beat a level in Halo 3, killing the moment with an unnecesary pop reference. I wouldn't care much if that scene was placed somewhere else, but in this pivotal moment in Hal's life, it felt out of place.

By the time we get around the second act, the tone of the script gets a bit more serious, mainly because Jordan does not have the time to be a cool irresponsible jerk anymore, and goes visiting Oa, and the Corps. These scenes are described as HUGE and BEAUTIFUL, and I'm sure they will be.

I think Green Lantern's reveal back on Earth, at the air show, lacked a bit of punch. Mainly because we have already seen Hal in costume, not to mention a gazillion other GL's, doing impressive feats. The scene is still cool, with GL having to stop flying jets from crashing down on unexpecting crowds, who go wild at the sight of GL, turning him into an instant sensation. The whole sequence reminded me of the plane sequence in "Superman Returns" ... If we had already seen Superman flying around with plenty of other Supermen.

I guess that's the main difference, that will set this movie apart from other superhero pics produced so far. The main hero is not unique in any way, shape or form. Well, except for tha fact that he's human. And the personality thing, even if I don't like that particular personality that much...But Hal is much more likeable once he becomes GL. They'll have to cast an actor with a great deal of charisma, or who can play this "cocky fun pilot" Jordan. I don't know if Jordan has ever been written like this, but oh well. After reading this script, I can't imagine Gosling in the role. His solemn face does not match with the character that's on the page. This Hal Jordan seems to be more...Yes, Josh Duhamel like. You win, people.

Anyway, from here on the script goes full into the standard superhero movie antics. GL stops a few crimes, saves some people, the media wonders about him, etc.

He also has a nice moment with Carol, where he basically creates of replica of Paris for her on Ferris Aircraft.

Now, conerning the action...There's some pretty big effects laden sequences in this script. The movie reads expen$$$ive. The aformentioned fight with Hammond, the fight with Legion on Oa and the depleting of the Central Battery, GL's intro, all offer some pretty good eye candy, the likes of which he haven't exactly seen before. The movie will be a bonafide effects extravaganza, as it should be. But this isn't too hard to get right. You would have to be a real idiot not to get the potential of a GL movie, but Berlanti and Co definitely deliver on the action front.

They also get props for the *ahem* rescue of Carol Ferris in the last act, and the last action sequence. Hal has to "prove" himself as a worthwhile hero to Carol, someone she can finally count on, and so on. It's a nice sequence where the two end up plummeting to their deaths after escaping a Hammond controlled F-16. Hal's ring is conveniently out of power, of course, so he can't save themselves. As they fall, they finally kiss and if played well, it should be a really nice moment in the film. I really dug it, but then again, I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff

Oh, I forgot. Sinestro is written fairly seriously. Integrity intact. He's a strong leader, and a proper GL, but conflicts with the Guardinas, as expected. So, the writers get props for not messing him up

All the GL Corps you would expect from a GL movie make appearances.

We come to the end of the film, Hammond has been put away, Legion has been defeated, and GL decides to go back and actually undergo training under Sinestro's guidance. I gotta say, the ending lacks a bit of a punch. Hal's last line falls kind of flat, like there's something missing, or as if he said the wrong thing in response to Sinestro. There are no great lines in the overall script that I can recall.

Final Thoughts: It's an entertaining, fun script. Maybe too much "fun" in parts, which kind of turned me off. I've always imagined Green Lantern to be a fairly serious superhero, not devoid of humor, but a bit more serious than this. As you can see on my avatar, I don't have a problem with Iron Man, or Iron Man's tone. But I don't really want that for GL.

So...If the final product is somewhat like this, I won't complain too much...I guess they better get really likable actors for this movie, as that's the only way I'll feel comfortable with the first act..

Also, don't expect anything revolutionary from this one. The script is Super-Hero 101, with a few exceptions, like the existence of the Corps undermining Hal's uniqueness. But nevertheless, it's a solid enough draft for the first movie in an intended franchise, so it gets a 7 from me, and here's hoping for a much superior final product...Or sequel.

This is the most spot-on review that I've read...ever.

It's not a bad script. But it NEEDS revisions. I'm surprised that Latino Review or IESB didn't notice the Iron Man similarities, though it's all consequential.

The first act needs a major overhaul. The 'Sabre' jet, and the 'coffin corner' is too Iron Man like (and even too Ang Lee 'Hulk'). The sleeping with the yoga instructor bit is too sitcomy, while yeah, I agree that the iconic moment when Hal gets the ring gets ruined by Tom.

However, the script does get better by ACt II and III. So hopefully, the writers can clean it up by spring.

Again, I agree, it's a fun script but I don't know where it stands when it comes to the likes of Iron Man, Spider-Man or Batman. I felt like the writers need to take the script seriously. By all means, I don't want an ultra serious dark movie; I feel like that they can do better at fleshing out the details.

 

[I Am The Knight]

This is the most spot-on review that I've read...ever.

It's not a bad script. But it NEEDS revisions. I'm surprised that Latino Review or IESB didn't notice the Iron Man similarities, though it's all consequential.

The first act needs a major overhaul. The 'Sabre' jet, and the 'coffin corner' is too Iron Man like (and even too Ang Lee 'Hulk'). The sleeping with the yoga instructor bit is too sitcomy, while yeah, I agree that the iconic moment when Hal gets the ring gets ruined by Tom.

However, the script does get better by ACt II and III. So hopefully, the writers can clean it up by spring.

Again, I agree, it's a fun script but I don't know where it stands when it comes to the likes of Iron Man, Spider-Man or Batman. I felt like the writers need to take the script seriously. By all means, I don't want an ultra serious dark movie; I feel like that they can do better at fleshing out the details.

Thanks, and agreed. Hopefully the latest drafts address this

 

[Webhead2006]

Yea i hope with the new drafts they have done they have fixed things up. As for the script i finally started reading it today. I only got to page 19 so far. Sounds good so far.

 

[GreenLantern1]

I need to read this! Someone please PM me the script. Ill send you Jonah Hex and Green Arrow in return if you want.

 

[solidsnake86]

double post

 

[solidsnake86]

I finished reading it and I think its an amazing start. Just a few things though, this is going to be an expensive movie if they keep all of those scenes in there. There are so many scenes with the fighter jets and flying that its impossible to imagine it costing less than Superman Returns. I really believe the newer drafts will have to cut a lot of the action scenes out of the film unless they get really creative or WB opens there wallet. Its absolutely necessary they hire an amazing effects company because I think at the end of the day that will make or break this film. If they clean up some things here and there it has the potential to be really big.

 

[Webhead2006]

yea things have/will probaly had to get changed or edited slighly for budget reasons.

 

[Spade]

EDIT: I didn't press the Reply button twice...

 

[Spade]

It's not too shabby. Overall, I'd give it an 8 out of 10. It reads awkwardly quite a few times, and- more importantly- this is a story that doesn't need Hector Hammond. He plays a limited role at best, and his origin doesn't make sense. Still, fairly good for a story inspired by a Green Lantern origin story that I didn't like. Hopefully, even though the second draft will most likely use Hector Hammond, it'll be polished in all the right places.

 

[Katsuro]

I finished reading it and I think its an amazing start. Just a few things though, this is going to be an expensive movie if they keep all of those scenes in there. There are so many scenes with the fighter jets and flying that its impossible to imagine it costing less than Superman Returns. I really believe the newer drafts will have to cut a lot of the action scenes out of the film unless they get really creative or WB opens there wallet. Its absolutely necessary they hire an amazing effects company because I think at the end of the day that will make or break this film. If they clean up some things here and there it has the potential to be really big.

I actually think people are overestimating how much this movie is going to cost. Sure, there's a ton of effects, but almost all of it is nothing but green light. Depending on how they make the constructs look, they probably wont have to worry about things like texture, and definatley not color, which i'm sure take up a great deal of time.

Of course, I have absolutely no knowledge of the special effects industry, so i'm only guessing. But it sounds to me like making a big glowing green fist is a lot easier and cheaper then animating Superman's cape every time he flies (which apparently was a very daunting task for the effects team, and the sole reason he doesn't have the yellow s-shield on his cape).

 

[Webhead2006]

maybe they can drop hammond from later drafts and leave him for second film along with sinestro.

 

[Spade]

My problem isn't with the script being overstuffed. It's that Legion has a definite reason for being, whereas Hammond is just...there. He gets his powers in a very vague way, finds himself conveniently close enough to Hal's affairs to become a rival, and then he's throwing stuff around. None of it is steeped enough in the lore, so I don't see why he had to be in the script for a first film. I'd rather they gave Legion a personality.

 

[The Major]

I finished reading it and I think its an amazing start. Just a few things though, this is going to be an expensive movie if they keep all of those scenes in there. There are so many scenes with the fighter jets and flying that its impossible to imagine it costing less than Superman Returns. I really believe the newer drafts will have to cut a lot of the action scenes out of the film unless they get really creative or WB opens there wallet. Its absolutely necessary they hire an amazing effects company because I think at the end of the day that will make or break this film. If they clean up some things here and there it has the potential to be really big.

The Serenity special effects crew could do it.

Special Effects

• K.N.B. Effects Group (special effects makeup)
• Pacific Title (opticals)
• Zoic Studios (visual effects)
• Rhythm and Hues (visual effects) (as Rhythm & Hues Studios)
• Illusion Arts (special visual effects)
• Perpetual Motion Pictures (visual effects)
• Grant McCune Design (miniature sequences)

 

[Banshee]

Hey I'm a bit late to the fold, could someone PM me the script? Thanks in advance.

 

[Webhead2006]

Yea like i said maybe in one of the later drafts they could see hammond isnt working out that well and could drop him from the film. Or just not turn him into a villain.

 

[ALKAL]

Could someone PM me the script please?????? Please??

Thanks in advanced!!

 

[StorminNorman]

Well, I finally read it.

And I liked it. There are some great scenes, some ruined would-be great scenes, and some eye-rolling inducing ones.

I'm with the majority of you who have actually read it...I don't like the tone in the first act much at all. It IS Iron Man. A DC/WB version of Favreau's Iron Man. Hal Jordan feels like a toned down version of Tony Stark, withouth the money and power, at least in the first act. He even has Stark's same character arc.

Berlanti wants us to think he's "cool"...So his introduction is the aftermath of him banging a yoga instructor, then being chased by her "Huge Motherf***ing Boyfriend"...Running late to a test flight at Ferris Aircraft. Comedy gold!

Carol Ferris is OK. She's the most normal person in the script, I guess. There's not much to her character, but at least she's not irritating or anything. I wish her history with Hal had been explored a bit more.

"Pieface" is the comic relief. He ruins what is to me a pivotal scene in the movie, and is basically a huge fanboy. Some of you guys say he's comparable to Anthony Anderson's character in Transformers....And I somewhat agree. But he's a toned down version of that. As long as the actor does not play him as an overexcited geek I don't think anyone should care much...He does have a couple of funny lines/moments.

Hector Hammond is OK. If there is one thing this script is missing, that would be a strong antagonist. Next to Legion, who is basically just a metaphor-ish monster thing, he's the main baddie in the movie. He does some fun things with his powers, but he seems a bit of a standard villain. Kind of like Stane in Iron Man, withouth the added presence of a Jeff Bridges. Of course, this depends on who they cast, although based on Hammond's powers, he should be more fun to follow around that Stane was. And his first confrontation with GL after the death of Senator Hammond I really dug.

There is one scene that irritated me a bit, and that is Hal Jordan's discovery of Abin Sur, and the passing of the ring. This moment is completely iconic to me, but, to break the tension, I guess, Berlanti feels the need to intercut to TOM KALMAKU, in full geek mode, boasting about how he just beat a level in Halo 3, killing the moment with an unnecesary pop reference. I wouldn't care much if that scene was placed somewhere else, but in this pivotal moment in Hal's life, it felt out of place.

By the time we get around the second act, the tone of the script gets a bit more serious, mainly because Jordan does not have the time to be a cool irresponsible jerk anymore, and goes visiting Oa, and the Corps. These scenes are described as HUGE and BEAUTIFUL, and I'm sure they will be.

I think Green Lantern's reveal back on Earth, at the air show, lacked a bit of punch. Mainly because we have already seen Hal in costume, not to mention a gazillion other GL's, doing impressive feats. The scene is still cool, with GL having to stop flying jets from crashing down on unexpecting crowds, who go wild at the sight of GL, turning him into an instant sensation. The whole sequence reminded me of the plane sequence in "Superman Returns" ... If we had already seen Superman flying around with plenty of other Supermen.

I guess that's the main difference, that will set this movie apart from other superhero pics produced so far. The main hero is not unique in any way, shape or form. Well, except for tha fact that he's human. And the personality thing, even if I don't like that particular personality that much...But Hal is much more likeable once he becomes GL. They'll have to cast an actor with a great deal of charisma, or who can play this "cocky fun pilot" Jordan. I don't know if Jordan has ever been written like this, but oh well. After reading this script, I can't imagine Gosling in the role. His solemn face does not match with the character that's on the page. This Hal Jordan seems to be more...Yes, Josh Duhamel like. You win, people.

Anyway, from here on the script goes full into the standard superhero movie antics. GL stops a few crimes, saves some people, the media wonders about him, etc.

He also has a nice moment with Carol, where he basically creates of replica of Paris for her on Ferris Aircraft.

Now, conerning the action...There's some pretty big effects laden sequences in this script. The movie reads expen$$$ive. The aformentioned fight with Hammond, the fight with Legion on Oa and the depleting of the Central Battery, GL's intro, all offer some pretty good eye candy, the likes of which he haven't exactly seen before. The movie will be a bonafide effects extravaganza, as it should be. But this isn't too hard to get right. You would have to be a real idiot not to get the potential of a GL movie, but Berlanti and Co definitely deliver on the action front.

They also get props for the *ahem* rescue of Carol Ferris in the last act, and the last action sequence. Hal has to "prove" himself as a worthwhile hero to Carol, someone she can finally count on, and so on. It's a nice sequence where the two end up plummeting to their deaths after escaping a Hammond controlled F-16. Hal's ring is conveniently out of power, of course, so he can't save themselves. As they fall, they finally kiss and if played well, it should be a really nice moment in the film. I really dug it, but then again, I'm a sucker for that kind of stuff

Oh, I forgot. Sinestro is written fairly seriously. Integrity intact. He's a strong leader, and a proper GL, but conflicts with the Guardinas, as expected. So, the writers get props for not messing him up

All the GL Corps you would expect from a GL movie make appearances.

We come to the end of the film, Hammond has been put away, Legion has been defeated, and GL decides to go back and actually undergo training under Sinestro's guidance. I gotta say, the ending lacks a bit of a punch. Hal's last line falls kind of flat, like there's something missing, or as if he said the wrong thing in response to Sinestro. There are no great lines in the overall script that I can recall.

Final Thoughts: It's an entertaining, fun script. Maybe too much "fun" in parts, which kind of turned me off. I've always imagined Green Lantern to be a fairly serious superhero, not devoid of humor, but a bit more serious than this. As you can see on my avatar, I don't have a problem with Iron Man, or Iron Man's tone. But I don't really want that for GL.

So...If the final product is somewhat like this, I won't complain too much...I guess they better get really likable actors for this movie, as that's the only way I'll feel comfortable with the first act..

Also, don't expect anything revolutionary from this one. The script is Super-Hero 101, with a few exceptions, like the existence of the Corps undermining Hal's uniqueness. But nevertheless, it's a solid enough draft for the first movie in an intended franchise, so it gets a 7 from me, and here's hoping for a much superior final product...Or sequel.

:applause:

 

[Webhead2006]

I hope i read some more of the script today hopefully, as i said before the other day i read up to page 19 and it sounds promising so far. I liked the Guy cameo, and if they do keep that and the clark kent one, hopefully the expand the clark one a little bit because it was pretty pointless.

 

[Katsuro]

I actually had no real problems with Hector Hammond in the script. He wasn't the greatest comic book movie ever, but I thought it was an interesting character. The only thing i'd suggest would be to develop Legion a bit more, making Hammond the supporting villain, perhaps even having GL defeat Hammond first, then Legion at the end.

And, of course, i'd make Legion actually Legion, not Parralax with a dash of the Manhunters thrown in.

 

[bapi]

So I finally read that and my rating is 7.5 out of 10. First half is almost perfect but the second is like something what I saw/read like trillion times. The biggest problems are that the script is too much short so that relationship between Carol and Hal/GL doesnt work very well for me and mainly Hector Hammond totally sucks. He is so bad written that he reminds me Dr. Doom or Iron Monger. Hes not a greatest person on the world so when he has some super powers he must be a big bad villain? Oh, boy! And also that father/son subplot doesnt work for me. I read many scripts in last few months (TIH, Wolverine, Magneto, G.I. Joe, Wonder Woman etc.) and this one is very good, I must say but Act 3 and 4 needs some rewrites.

P.S. Ryan Gosling is absolutely perfect for this role!

 

[Spade]

I actually had no real problems with Hector Hammond in the script. He wasn't the greatest comic book movie ever, but I thought it was an interesting character. The only thing i'd suggest would be to develop Legion a bit more, making Hammond the supporting villain, perhaps even having GL defeat Hammond first, then Legion at the end.

It's not just that he isn't the greatest, which really wasn't an expectation I personally had. It's that there really isn't much to him besides some daddy issues. Other than that, his only purposes for existing are to become a giant head of a man and provide the atypical superhero movie "twist" of having the villain put the hero's girlfriend in peril. Yes, he's a part of the canon comics. But I don't see why he needs to be in this film if that's all he's going to do.

Still, if he has to be in it, I'd rather they rewrite it so the film ends with Legion's defeat and not the other way around.

And, of course, i'd make Legion actually Legion, not Parralax with a dash of the Manhunters thrown in.

Definitely agree. It's odd that they treat Legion like Parallax, then reference Parallax later on. It's going to be repetitious and awkward in the long run.

 

[The Guard]

The biggest problems are that the script is too much short so that relationship between Carol and Hal/GL doesnt work very well for me and mainly Hector Hammond totally sucks. He is so bad written that he reminds me Dr. Doom or Iron Monger. Hes not a greatest person on the world so when he has some super powers he must be a big bad villain? Oh, boy! And also that father/son subplot doesnt work for me.

It's not just that he isn't the greatest, which really wasn't an expectation I personally had. It's that there really isn't much to him besides some daddy issues. Other than that, his only purposes for existing are to become a giant head of a man and provide the atypical superhero movie "twist" of having the villain put the hero's girlfriend in peril. Yes, he's a part of the canon comics. But I don't see why he needs to be in this film if that's all he's going to do.

Agreed. The script could use 15-20 pages more, and Hammond's motivations are absurdly cliche, the "father/son" paralell between Hal/Hammond is forced as hell, and just not that interesting. Hammond has got about a high school level of drama to him. The script's biggest weakness is that both it's villains are apparently too weak as concepts to work alone. Even together, they're not that impressive, beyond the obvious visual potential.

I strongly believe that Sinestro is the way to go, even as a pseudo-villain. He would be a fantastic, Magneto-level villain, and a real threat to boot. But it might drive up the price of the movie, so...

 

[solidsnake86]

In secret origins they made hector carols boyfriend if I'm not mistaken, I havent read the whole thing cause I'm waiting for the trade but I could see that being one way to tie him in rather than him being random. I disagree with sinestro guard, because I think his situation closely parallels harvey dent's in batman who should have been in the first movie. I'm interested to see how many changes they are planning to make though because WB liked the script that I can't see them straying to far off from it.

 

[Octoberist]

I think the one flaw here is how Hector is so indirectly involved with Hal or Carol. He's just there because Legion isn't exactly a dialogue type of role. Even then, he feels likes a hurdle then a villian.