Despite being frequently ridiculed as one of the funniest flops in the superhero film category, even by Ryan Reynolds himself, the movie still stands tall. According to its director, Martin Campbell, there was potentially a move that Reynolds could have taken to rectify the film and enhance its standing.
Discussing with Campbell, he delved into the topic of Green Lantern and Reynolds’ frequent humor about the movie over time. He thinks that if Reynolds had written the script, the film adaptation of the titular comic book hero would have been more successful. “I truly wish he had penned the script; it would have been fantastic. But he constantly mocks it. And to be honest, his success in it was immense due to meeting Blake Lively” is what he stated.
Despite some public disapproval and the film’s failure, Campbell, the director, expressed that he had no grudges against Ryan Reynolds, found him amusing, and enjoyed working with both Reynolds and his wife, Blake Lively. He also added that they had a great time on set, and he appreciated working with them both, praising Lively’s performance as well. Reynolds, according to Campbell, has a good sense of humor.
Green Lantern Nearly Derailed Reynolds’ Superhero Ambitions
2011 saw the debut of Green Lantern, with Reynolds portraying Hal Jordan’s version of the title character. As the first human in the Green Lantern Corps, he was given a ring that bestowed superpowers to combat the evil Parallax (Clancy Brown). Unfortunately, Reynolds’ portrayal in Green Lantern didn’t bolster his prospects in the superhero genre. The film also starred Angela Bassett, Tim Robbins, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Taika Waititi, but it received a 25% critical rating and 45% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite its talented cast, Green Lantern flopped at the box office, earning only $237.2 million against a $200 million budget.
It’s fortunate for Reynolds that he managed to regain his role as Deadpool in 2016’s “Deadpool” and 2018’s “Deadpool 2,” both produced by 20th Century Fox. These films were not only financially successful, but also critically praised, accurately portraying the character known as the Merc With a Mouth. Later, Reynolds got the chance to introduce Wade Wilson into the Marvel Cinematic Universe via “Deadpool & Wolverine,” where he teamed up with Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. “Deadpool & Wolverine” was also well-received and holds the record for the highest-grossing R-rated movie ever, earning $1.338 billion globally.
Regarding Green Lantern, Reynolds may appear critical, but at the TIME 100 Summit in April, he revealed a deep affection for the film. He acknowledged that limited resources drive creativity and expressed that excessive funds and time can hinder creativity, ultimately destroying it.
Green Lantern is available to stream via HBO Max.
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2025-05-22 20:08