In a candid and humorous moment, director James Gunn recently revealed that he asked Ryan Reynolds to reprise his role as the Green Lantern in the newly restructured DC Universe (DCU)—but Reynolds, known for his sharp wit, wasn’t having any of it. Gunn shared the details of their exchange during an appearance on the Happy Sad Confused Podcast, explaining that he jokingly reached out to Reynolds after taking charge of the DCU alongside Peter Safran.
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“I was one of the first people I talked to after getting the job,” Gunn said with a laugh. “I’m like, ‘You coming back [as Green Lantern]?’ He’s like, ‘Get the f*** out of here.’ I’m joking! I wasn’t really telling him to come back.”
Despite the playful exchange, it’s clear that Reynolds has no intention of donning the Green Lantern costume again, even though Gunn’s offer to revisit the role came with a tongue-in-cheek twist. The conversation also sheds light on the direction of the DCU under the new creative leadership, which is seeking to rebuild and reinvent the superhero universe in both film and television.
Ryan Reynolds and the Green Lantern Legacy
Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal of Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern, remains one of the more memorable moments in superhero film history—though not necessarily for the right reasons. In 2011, Reynolds starred in Green Lantern, a movie that was meant to launch the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). Directed by Martin Campbell, the film was both a critical and commercial flop, and its failure has been well-documented as one of the key factors in the shifting direction of the DCEU.
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The film attempted to introduce Hal Jordan, a test pilot who is chosen to be part of the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps. While Reynolds’ performance was generally praised, the film’s weak storyline, poor CGI, and lackluster direction were seen as major hindrances to its success. Initially intended to be the first film in a much larger DCEU, the sequel was quickly scrapped after the film’s failure at the box office, and Man of Steel took over as the de facto starting point for the DCEU.
Though Green Lantern did not perform as expected, Reynolds would go on to achieve superhero success in the Deadpool films. Playing the irreverent and wisecracking mercenary Wade Wilson, Reynolds brought a new energy to the comic book genre with Deadpool (2016) and Deadpool 2 (2018), both of which were major commercial and critical successes. With these films, Reynolds cemented his status as a beloved figure in superhero cinema, particularly with his hilarious and meta take on the character.
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It’s no surprise, then, that when Gunn was given the reins to reboot the DCU, he would reach out to Reynolds, who had since become one of Hollywood’s top comic actors. However, as Gunn’s anecdote makes clear, Reynolds wasn’t interested in revisiting his Green Lantern days.
The New Green Lantern: A Shift in Tone
While Reynolds may have definitively closed the door on his return to the Green Lantern role, the character is far from disappearing from the DC Universe. Under the new leadership of James Gunn and Peter Safran, the Green Lantern will take center stage in an upcoming television series titled Lanterns. The series, which is expected to be a major part of the newly envisioned DCU, will offer a completely fresh take on the Green Lantern mythos.
According to Gunn, Lanterns will be a “True Detective-style” series that focuses on two members of the Green Lantern Corps—Hal Jordan and John Stewart—investigating a murder on Earth that leads them to uncover much larger cosmic implications. Kyle Chandler will play Hal Jordan, with Aaron Pierre cast as the younger John Stewart. Both characters will be involved in a complex investigation that will link the seemingly small case to the broader universe of the DCU.
In contrast to the 2011 film’s focus on grandiose, space-faring adventures and the creation of the Green Lantern Corps, Lanterns will reportedly be much more grounded, taking a darker, more noir approach to the source material. The series will explore the two heroes as they investigate an Earth-bound murder with far-reaching consequences, combining both detective work and intergalactic heroism.
A Strong Shift for the DCU
The decision to focus on Lanterns as one of the major pillars of the new DCU marks a significant departure from previous attempts at Green Lantern adaptations. The critical failure of the 2011 film served as a cautionary tale for future Green Lantern projects, and Gunn has wisely opted for a more focused and less CGI-heavy approach with the upcoming series. Rather than focusing on the traditional superhero tropes associated with Green Lantern—such as the use of his power ring to create elaborate constructs—the series will delve deeper into the detective and investigative aspects of the characters’ personalities.
The casting of Chandler and Pierre also signals a departure from the more bombastic casting choices of the past. Chandler, known for his roles in Friday Night Lights and Bloodline, is expected to bring a grounded intensity to the role of Hal Jordan. Meanwhile, Aaron Pierre, who has starred in films such as The Underground Railroad and Old, will bring a fresh perspective to John Stewart, a character that has been beloved by fans for decades.
This fresh direction for the Green Lantern character is part of a larger effort by Gunn and Safran to bring a more cohesive and interconnected approach to the DC Universe. Their shared vision involves a focus on both new and familiar characters, combining bold reboots with new stories that push the boundaries of what superhero narratives can be.
The Future of the DC Universe
While Reynolds may not be making a return as Green Lantern, his legacy in superhero cinema remains intact. As Deadpool 3 gears up to bring Reynolds back into the Marvel fold, the actor continues to be a central figure in the comic book world. The success of the Deadpool films, coupled with his widespread popularity, means Reynolds will likely continue to be a huge presence in superhero cinema—just not as Green Lantern.
For the DC Universe, however, the Lanterns series marks the beginning of a new era, one where James Gunn’s vision for the franchise can truly take shape. As the series begins to unfold, fans will be eagerly awaiting to see how the two Green Lanterns will navigate the complexities of their investigation, as well as how they will fit into the broader DCU.
With Lanterns yet to receive an official release date, the excitement surrounding the project continues to build. The series is set to be the first major foray into the new DCU television landscape, and fans are watching closely to see how this new iteration of the Green Lantern Corps will capture the imagination of both longtime comic book readers and newer audiences alike.
As for Ryan Reynolds, his quick rejection of Gunn’s playful request proves that the actor is content with his current superhero persona—and perhaps glad to leave the Green Lantern legacy behind for good.
