Cast your mind back to 2011, long before Warner’s DC Extended Universe began to coalesce, and you’ll likely recall the botched Green Lantern movie from Martin Campbell.
It’s arguably one of the biggest superhero flops of the past decade, having recouped only $219 million against a hefty budget of $200 million. And don’t get us started on the Rotten Tomatoes score. So, it’s a credit to Ryan Reynolds that the actor was able to bounce back in time for Deadpool, Tim Miller’s R-rated bonanza that effectively reinstated the Merc With a Mouth as one of the most popular comic book characters in the business.
As for Green Lantern, well, the less said about Campbell’s dud, the better. In fact, as part of EW’s ongoing Deadpool 2 coverage, Ryan Reynolds held his hands up to admit that he’s never actually seen the final cut. So, just like the rest of us, then?
I’ve got to be really careful how I answer this. Look, I’ve never seen the full final version of Green Lantern. I saw a very late stage rough cut of the film. Now, that isn’t to say that I didn’t want to see it because I didn’t like it. I have movies that have been received pretty well that I haven’t seen, and then I have movies that I have seen 100 times that people don’t like but I just like. The Green Lantern [joke in Deadpool] to me is just sort of, I don’t know, kind of fun. It’s me just taking the piss out of me, but it’s more Wade [Deadpool’s real name] though.
Looking to the future, and Warner Bros. is already plotting Hal Jordan’s next cosmic adventure in the form of Green Lantern Corps, a standalone pic that will presumably pair him with fellow Lantern, John Stewart. A 2020 release window is said to be on the cards and, last we reported, WB had set its sights on Tom Cruise, of all people.
Closer to home, Ryan Reynolds will return to our screens later this month thanks to Deadpool 2 – just don’t hold your breath for a Deadpool 3.