HOME TRAILERS RELEASE DATES PODCASTS REVIEWS POSTERS INTERVIEWS BOB $TENCIL NEWS FEEDS ABOUT APPS

LATEST NEWS

Producer Says Green Lantern Will Be More Like Iron Man

by Alex Billington
March 9, 2009
Source: ComingSoon

With production on a big screen Green Lantern movie supposedly starting in the next few months in order for it to make its December 17th, 2010 release date, DC Comics and Green Lantern fans are getting quite antsy. Producer Donald De Line showed up at a recent press event for I Love You, Man over the weekend, and was drilled about all things Green Lantern. The response that has been riling up fans the most was in regards to whether or not this would be like Iron Man instead of The Dark Knight. "I would say the tone absolutely wants to live in that kind of a world," De Line said. "So it's not dark in that regard."

While we already know that the story in this Green Lantern movie will focus on Hal Jordan, De Line reiterates again (via ComingSoon) exactly what they're trying to do with the character. "Our story is the Hal Jordan origin story, but creating the character of Hal Jordan that is a real character that will resonate with the fanbase is what we need to do. You have to make him credible and somebody to care about and tell a good story, and I think if we do that, we'll be okay." But is that really all that's necessary for a good Green Lantern movie? Of course not, and if you've read our script review, you know there's a lot more in there.

"It's going to be a series of big stakes and big action, but it absolutely has a sense of humor," De Line replied when asked about how much humor would be in Green Lantern. "I think people accept real life, even with really serious situations, with humor as part of that situation, as we experience in life, you have to have that. That's how people cope, so they've done it so well in these other movies. I think that people are absolutely ready. It doesn't have to fall on one side of the fence vs the other." So it seems like fans don't want to see an Iron Man-like version of Green Lantern, but De Line thinks their version will work well.

To be honest, I think it's way too early to be complaining about this. I'm going to wait to see who they cast as Hal Jordan and also wait to see what director Martin Campbell does with it, because I think the humor aspect is being blown way out of proportion. And I expect we'll see a badass Green Lantern movie in the end anyway, so why waste time complaining. What do you think? Will humor hurt this movie?

Explore tags: Discussion, Hype, Movie News

Tom W

I dont really know the story behind the green lantern but trying to make a movie like another one is a bad idea you should go in your own detection and make it your own
Ravster

Michael C Hall as Hal Jordan? It could work.
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

It's all just a reference guys... That headline was a bit misleading too, cause if you read the quotes, it'd make sense. It's not like Iron Man, that's just a reference in regards to a previously released film. As in like, will it be darker like TDK or lighter/comedic like IM - and he said more like Iron Man... That's all!
pj

If wayne bradey was in this movie i would consider it.
http://movies.iconocritic.com peloquin

DC characters (excluding Batman) are way too god-like to translate well to film. If the characters have no fault and ties to humanity than it makes it very hard to relate to them. Snyder did a great job in relating Dr. Manhatten though so it is possible, but I have my doubts with Green Lantern.
Mathieu

I think the best thing for the movie is for it to have its own identity and not to follow a trend. I'd say it's a welcome relief that someone recognises that life isn't all doom and gloom, and his point about humour as a coping mechanism is a valid one. Just because there is humour doesn't mean it's going to turn into a knockabout comedy. I have faith that Campbell strike the right balance.
zach

Humor always helps with superhero movies hence spiderman, iron man (hint hint very little happen in hulk last year)
RouletteSystemFree

mmm... "like other character..." all the heroes are unique.. why the movies has to be "like" another?
Black Dynamite

I agree with Alex that it's way too early to complain. I'll just wait to see who they cast as Hal Jordan and what story they come up with. I'd prefer it have a tone similar to Ironman, TDK, & Watchmen but let's just see what happens.
http://www.theaterhopper.com Tom Brazelton

This is the best news I've heard all day. I've always felt Iron Man and Green Lantern to be similar in tone. I think one should reflect the other. The both have sci-fi leanings. One is just more terrestrial than the other!
Christopher M

I sort of like the idea of keeping it somewhat humorous since it's an origin film...I think having a "fun" hero rather than dark one could be a decent contrast to Batman and the new vision for Superman... science fiction in general is a difficult exercise in film making..now add the fact it's a superhero movie as well they will need a solid actor in the role.. Michael C. Hall is a great choice he's not some flavor of the month actor that has been rumored lately...he's been consistent ever since his days in Six Feet Under
SHANEDAV

Not really excited for this yet. Maybe a tralier will change my mind............................ #5.... Wayne Brady rocks hell yeah
hawk

"Producer Says Green Lantern Will Be More Like Iron Man" is that because it'll actually work for Green Lantern or because the filmmakers are creatively bankrupt?
Joey Marione

Green Lantern was always an a-hole superhero anyway. Just look at the dorky picture above of the hero flashing his class ring and holding an actual green lantern. Who gives a shit? The alien back story is a bunch of horse shit too. For all of you with limited reading comprehension, Donald simply stated it would not be dark like TDK, but lighter like Iron Man. Probably even a very bad and corny ending finale like Iron Man where an unassuming hero like Pepper "blows the circuits" with some magical and easily accessible switch, causing an over-the-top, exaggerated CGI explosion that the entire Earth would see. Wow! What a great finale. We can be sure to expect some bullshit effects since Green Lantern is "magical.”
http://www.theaterhopper.com Tom Brazelton

Geeze, Joey. Who shit in your Corn Flakes this morning?
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

#10 - Here, here Tom, good to hear someone who actually LIKES this news!
filmkid

@ #6 peloquin dont try and copy Joss Whedon quotes his views dont mean nothing he wanted to do a live action movie of Wonder Woman and it did not work out. Green Lantern was always part of humanity before they got their powers. i.e. Hal Jordan is a test pilot, John Stewart is an architect and veteran U.S. Marine, Guy worked as a social welfare caseworker, Kyle Rayner is a freelance artist. if thats not part of humanity i dont know what is. theres nothing wrong with humor at all but dont make it stupid humor cause we dont want to see Green Lantern as a joke superhero. Iron Man like humor was not stupid humor the tone was great even TDK had humor too
http://www.bleepinggeek.com Pete the Geek

I think the greatest mistake they could ever make with this film is to make it anything at all like The Dark Knight. Green Lantern is not a dark story, it's not a gritty story. It's a light, humorous, and adventurous story. I think a lighter tone not only suits it, but is the only way to bring it across successfully. We all saw what a grittier, darker tone did for Superman in Superman Returns. Fail.
Chris H.

It should be an Iron Man-esque film. Hal Jordan as just as adventurous as Tony Stark. And as you saw Tony Stark "discover" what he could do with technology in a super suit... Hal Jordan will have to go through an interesting process of discovery to find out how much he can do with the ring. The Green Lantern Corp. should also prove very neat on film. However, I'm not really a fan of DC comics so I'm sure the more diehard fans will want something much different.
Pat Abs

I'm excited about this one. I personally would rather have the Kyle Rayner story but i know everyone loves Hal Jordan. (He already has 2 animated movies. Justice League: New Frontier was arguably a green lantern story and an original Green Lantern animated film coming this summer.) It feels like Hal Jordan is overdone. The big thing is that Green Lantern was chosen to do the job. He didn't just happen upon the ring...
filmkid

@ Pete the Geek Superman Returns did not fail cause of the dark tone it failed cause of bad script and no real action. the dark tone in Superman Returns was perfect it just failed cause of the bad script. Green Lantern will have a similar style of Iron Man but with Green Lantern it needs to have an mix of Dark and Light tone similar to Superman Returns but with an great story and action. well some of you guys forget this summer the new animated movie of Green lantern: First Flight coming out. this movie might show us how could an live action movie of the Green Lantern could turn out to be Green Lantern: First Flight - Behind the Scenes Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajjJ5CUxk-M
zetsu

a little bit of humor won't hurt it at all, but i don't want a fucking comedy green lantern that will ruin it.i like green lantern probably in my top five good guy charactors from dc.(superman,batman,the flash,red tornando.)so bring 17.12.10 i need this fucking movie to be good,we need more than just superman & batman films(please don't do a sequel to the watchmen it would ruin the first movie.)
THERBLIG

You know why is it that everyone wants these kinds of films to be compared to other films? then when the film comes out and you see it and its similar every one will start trash talking about how the director couldve taken it in another ldirection or up another notch. Yeah i liked The Dark Knight, I liked Iron Man but i dont want Green lantern to be like any of these films. I want them to reset the bar again by making this film kick ass. It doesnt have to be like any of the Super films that came before it but it shouldnt really religh on these other films to say ok this is what they did so lets do something along these lines. NO!!!! you need to say this is what they did , ok cool this is our end point, we dont want anything less than this so lets make sure anything we do this better and set that fucking bar waaaaaay up! We havent even begin to see what can be done yet with super hero films, until recent no one has taken them seriously, now everyone wants to start taking them seriously after this past summer. So let Green lantern fall in place and maybe just maybe we can say "see thats a film to compete with"
http://movies.iconocritic.com/ peloquin

First of all, I'm not copying Joss Whedon quotes, and my statement wasn't that insightful to have to be copied from somewhere anyways. Most people know that DC bases their comics in fantasy worlds with heroes that have a very small amount of weakness while Marvel was unique because they placed characters in real life cities and kept the plots primarily Earthbound so the readers could relate. Wasn't TGL based in space with a power that gave the ring wearer the ability to create anything he can think of? Doesn't sound like something that I can relate to and with his only weakness being taking off the ring it doesn't give him much vulnerability and therefore not much rising suspense during a battle sequence. I hope you understand my point, I love DC for what it is, but there are some huge differences between them and Marvel that translate to film in different ways and make for a tougher story to relate to.
http://movies.iconocritic.com/ peloquin

Also, I believe you meant to say "His views don't mean anything"
Tim "Cloverfield"

....in peloquin we trust. But GL was my fave rave back in the day. I have high hopes for him.
http://movies.iconocritic.com/ peloquin

I have high hopes as well so lets hope I'm wrong...
Jamie

I was never a real big fan of the Green Lantern, then a couple of years ago I read Hal Jordon's Origin story and really liked it. And now that they are making the film and have a really strong director in Martin Campbell (Casino Royale). The Lines are starting to sit on the horizon. Bring on Xmas 2010.
ezza

Keep the movie serious and dark! If you incorporate ditsy, corny, popcorn humor like they did in Spider-man 3, Fantastic 4, the 90's versions of Batman, then this movie is set for the box office trash can. Look at the success of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight for god sake! That is your benchmark! The darker the better, don't accommodate for kids who don't understand shit from clay. Another example of a disaster is Star Wars Return of the Jedi with the fury midgets running around with their plastic sunglasses for eyes. I remember as a kid it looked great, but as an adult I look at it and think, what was George Lucas thinking?! Oh yes that's right, he wanted to make money by selling plastic toys of the characters and therefore losing sight of what the movie should have been about. It totally and utterly ruined a movie that needed to be serious and dark. An adult remembers a great movie, a kid just remembers it for 5 minutes and then focuses on the next kids movie. Hollywood get the hint! SO IT IN A NUT SHELL KEEP THE GREEN LANTERN DARK AND SERIOUS! It will be a much bigger and better success (provided some moron doesn't write up a crap storyline).
http://www.greenteadietsecret.com/ ezza

Keep the movie serious and dark! If you incorporate ditsy, corny, popcorn humor like they did in Spider-man 3, Fantastic 4, the 90's versions of Batman, then this movie is set for the box office trash can. Look at the success of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight for god sake! That is your benchmark! The darker the better, don't accommodate for kids who don't understand shit from clay. Another example of a disaster is Star Wars Return of the Jedi with the fury midgets running around with their plastic sunglasses for eyes. I remember as a kid it looked great, but as an adult I look at it and think, what was George Lucas thinking?! Oh yes that's right, he wanted to make money by selling plastic toys of the characters and therefore losing sight of what the movie should have been about. It totally and utterly ruined a movie that needed to be serious and dark. An adult remembers a great movie, a kid just remembers it for 5 minutes and then focuses on the next kids movie. Hollywood get the hint! SO IT IN A NUT SHELL KEEP THE GREEN LANTERN DARK AND SERIOUS! It will be a much bigger and better success (provided some moron doesn't write up a crap storyline). OH! You're my new favorite blogger fyi
Moviegimp

As someone who religiously read Hal Jordan Green Lantern comics I hope that it's light hearted and and has some humor. Hal had one of the most powerful weapons in the universe yet never took it real serious. Not until way late in the run of the comic. Back in the beginning he was more about how cool it was to have the ring and fun things he could do with it. Please no darkness for Green Lantern. Not until the second or third film at least when they bring in Green Arrow and get to the drug story. If you don't know that one you should find out. One of the best stories in comics. Also if they introduce Green Arrow then they can spin him off to his own movie which is what I really want, era Long Bow Hunters.
http://www.youtube.com/snears Nick Sears

I think its the sense of LABELING it as another movie that's got everyone's panties in a bunch
THERBLIG

The lantern was never a dark comic, so why would they keep it dark and serious. Their villans were serious but the lanterns were not as serious, well most of them. But thats what made the lanterns fun that they had jokes and when it came down to it they could thrash like everyone else. I think if you kept this serious youll be going down the same road as SUPERMAN RETURNS and thats not a bad thing, but alot of people had so many mixed views. Singer said it was were 2 left off but in reality it was a reshoot of 1-2 and some of the adventures of superman cartoon. I still like it but he didnt really give us anything new. The lantern has to stand on its own, go above Batman and Ironman.
bart

is it just me, or is anyone else getting tired of seeing men in tights, tight tights....