Ryan Reynolds, the charismatic lead of the “Deadpool” franchise, recently made headlines regarding his longstanding aversion to resurrecting his role as the Green Lantern. This revelation surfaced when James Gunn, the newly appointed head of DC Studios, whimsically inquired if Reynolds would consider donning the iconic power ring again. Despite the lighthearted nature of Gunn’s question, Reynolds’ reaction was one of outright dismissal. He candidly told Gunn, “Get the f— out of here!” making it clear that the idea of revisiting his role in the infamous 2011 film was not even remotely appealing.
A Film Remembered for All the Wrong Reasons
The 2011 “Green Lantern,” directed by Martin Campbell, is widely regarded as a critical and commercial failure. Holding a meager score of 25% on Rotten Tomatoes, the film grossed approximately $237 million globally, a poor return for a big-budget superhero movie. Reynolds’ hesitance to return can be attributed to both the film’s disastrous reception and the shadow it casts over his career thus far. The pressure of being associated with a film that fell short on numerous fronts could understandably lead an actor to distance himself from any potential revival of that role—a sentiment echoed in Reynolds’ comedic and increasingly candid portrayal of his own past work.
Interestingly, while the film may have been a flop in many respects, it eventually led to some personal success for Reynolds. During the production of “Green Lantern,” he met Blake Lively, who would later become his wife. This silver lining gives a nuanced perspective to his experience on the film, showcasing that not all disastrous professional endeavors end in complete regret. Despite this personal victory, it remains clear that Reynolds is not ready to embrace his past, and this refusal is emblematic of the broader industry sentiment towards projects that failed to resonate with audiences.
On a brighter note for DC aficionados, the Green Lantern universe is seemingly about to get a fresh start. HBO has issued a series order for “Lanterns,” a project that brings together acclaimed writers Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King. This new series will aim to revitalize the Green Lantern mythos in ways that the 2011 film failed to accomplish, providing the narrative depth and modern storytelling that fans crave. With Mundy at the helm and a promising team behind the script, this series could finally do justice to the Green Lantern lore.
Ryan Reynolds’ reluctance to reprise his role as the Green Lantern symbolizes a broader challenge faced by Hollywood when dealing with past blunders. While the charm and wit of Reynolds continue to win hearts in the realm of anti-heroes, the shadow of “Green Lantern” lingers, a looming reminder of the unpredictability of film ventures. For both Reynolds and DC, the future holds new opportunities that might steer the franchise in an entirely new direction, one where the missteps of the past do not define the paths ahead.