EW: JACK BLACK NOT GREEN LANTERN

[MattBrady]

According to this week’s Entertainment Weekly, the rumors of actor Jack Black stepping in as an (admittedly paunchy) Green Lantern, were just that – rumors. “I took a meeting with someone who has the rights, but there’s no [Green Lantern] script,” Black told EW. “I’d be interested if there was a really good writer attached, but it’s far from a [done deal].”

Black’s comments seemingly justify DC Comics VP of Marketing and Sales Bob Wayne’s comments at San Diego when asked if the casting of Black was a reality: “I live in no fear of ever seeing that movie [referring to a Green Lantern film starring Black].” You see, he said he lived in no fear of it, because, as he saw it (apparently knowing that the Black casting was only a rumor) knew it wasn’t going to happen.

Wayne’s comments confused many (who thought that Wayne wanted to see the film with Black as Green Lantern, and wasn't afraid of his experience in the theater watching the hypothetical film), proving that sometimes marketing guys can be too clever for their own good.

The article in EW focuses mainly on DC adaptations headed toward the screen, and how comic fans seemingly have less and less to fear (Catwoman notwithstanding, apparently, though the article – in a magazine owned by DC parent company Time Warner suggests that the property was mishanded) thanks to DC film side of operations coming under control of Gregory Noveck, who was hired last December. Batman Begins screenwriter David S. Goyer is quoted as saying that Noveck “gets it” in regards to seeing DC properties as films.

Continuing, the article points out the challenge ahead for films based on DC properties, namely, bringing their heroes down to earth – something that’s needed despierately, thanks to the ability for Marvel’s blockbusters, Spider-Man and X-Men to resonate with their audiences on an emotional, human level. Not so easy to do when you’re talking about a goddess in Wonder Woman, or Superman. The article states that problems in adapting the heroes into accessible characters for films was partly responsible for the long delays in bringing them to screen.

[algertman]

THANK GOD!

[OM]

...Yeah, Black's probably out of the picture because Jim Carrey's gotten the nod.

[Chris1]

They might have been rumors but if the guy who has the rights to GL met with Jack Black, of all people, I think we all have reason to fear the movie...unless it was of course for the part of G'nort.

[Ryan Dunlavey]

That's too bad - I think jack Black as Green Lantern could have been a hoot, if only to see all those uptight HEAT members' heads explode.
Of course I also always though Stephen Colbert would be a great Mr. Fantastic, and I actually like the Wonder Twins, so what the hell do I know.

[Taylor Porter]

I still don't see any reason why Jack Black couldn't have been a pretty interesting Green Lantern.

[Citizenvain]

Jack Black is a talented actor and gave a brilliant Oscar worthy performance in High Fidelity, but would have been woefully miscast as Green Lantern.

[MattBrady]

Originally posted by Chris1
They might have been rumors but if the guy who has the rights to GL met with Jack Black, of all people, I think we all have reason to fear the movie...unless it was of course for the part of G'nort.

And how many and who do folks who hold rights to properties meet with? One? Two? Dozens?

And was GL the only rights the individual held/has? And was the meeting specifically about GL?

And this is how rumors start and grow.

MattB

[FIG]

Jack Black or Jim Carey would suck. I don't want Green Lantern to be a comedy, I want it to be taken as seriously and with as much respect as Batman(new movie) and Spiderman are being taken.

[xdemon]

Originally posted by OM
...Yeah, Black's probably out of the picture because Jim Carrey's gotten the nod.

The RUMOR from a couple of months ago was that Adam Sandler would be GL. Seriously.

[jscottcampbell]

Continuing, the article points out the challenge ahead for films based on DC properties, namely, bringing their heroes down to earth – something that’s needed despierately, thanks to the ability for Marvel’s blockbusters, Spider-Man and X-Men to resonate with their audiences on an emotional, human level. Not so easy to do when you’re talking about a goddess in Wonder Woman, or Superman. The article states that problems in adapting the heroes into accessible characters for films was partly responsible for the long delays in bringing them to screen.

Honestly, if the article is using terms like "bringing their heroes down to earth" and "adapting the heroes into accessible characters" then I really don't see why Jack Black COULDN'T have fit the bill. I think it would have been cool, much more interesting than just hiring yet another square-jawed stiff for the role. I, for one am disappointed.

J. Scott

[Mickey Mouth]

Everyone's getting all crazy for nothing. A GL comedy will never go. Even if it is true that a creative exec somewhere wants to make this, it will never get out of development. Ever.

[Robot H Brian]

I'm really curious where exactly the problem lies (if, indeed, there's one source for the problem, though that's really doubtful) with the "mishandling" of DC properties through Warner Bros. Though I'm a bit wary of what to expect with Fantastic Four, I think Marvel's had a great track record with the X-Men, Spider-Man and Blade movies, and I personally really enjoyed the miscast Daredevil and the humorless Hulk (I didn't catch Punisher).

Batman Begins sounds like a great return to form, and I have high hopes for Singer's Superman, but Catwoman? Keanu as Constantine? (It might wind up being a great movie, but it's a ridiculous case of "anti-branding" marketing-wise regarding the property).

I think Green Lantern has the potential to be a truly kick-ass summer action film, in the right hands, with the right creative team and cast. I sincerely hope that Warner doesn't move forward with anything less than that. I'd hate for a GL movie to become the next Superman III.

[Tinnitus Tim]

It's about time!

I can stop my daily visit to the church. My knees were starting to bleed pretty badly.

[riotgear]

I think David James Elliott from "JAG" would make a great Hal Jordan.

[cncoyle]

For an earlier version of this story, don't go here or here.

Originally posted by Rich Johnston at LITG
At least I nailed Jack Black.

I think the New York Times could use another journalist.

[MattZitron]

Its been a couple of days of good Superhero movie news.

Brian Synger has offered Superman to Tom Welling.

And I know he can do it.

[C.Kent]

cue the movie preview music:

"In a world that knows terror, comes a man who knows no fear! Steven Seagal IS Hal Jordan in Warner Brother's new film:"

"In Blackest Night"

"You guardians think you're above the law, but you ain't above mine."

[MattZitron]

Originally posted by cncoyle
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Rich Johnston at LITG
At least I nailed Jack Black.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




I think the New York Times could use another journalist.

HAHAHA Rich Johnson is an utter F*))&*t.

[Darth Presley]

Originally posted by cncoyle
For an earlier version of this story, don't go here or here.


I think the New York Times could use another journalist.

...and it's not just because of the irregular intransitive rule...

[Hokeyboy]

Originally posted by Tinnitus Tim
I can stop my daily visit to the church. My knees were starting to bleed pretty badly.

!!!

[Taylor Porter]

I guess I didn't mind the idea of JB being GL because I personally don't associate Green Lantern with being Hal Jordan. When someone says Green Lantern, I think of Guy Gardner, and maybe a few of the other people who've worn a ring.

The appeal of the GL concept to me is that anyone can have this crazy ring. I don't see why it needs to be a straight-laced super hero type. With Jack Black, the movie had a chance of being something different, instead of just another super hero movie.

[rtype]

...but if the movie was serious, it could be the first good sci-fi grounded superhero movie, which has never been done before and would be a lot cooler than cheezy comedy superhero stuff which we've all seen too much of (rewatch Batman & Robin if you don't believe me and can stomach it).

(On a side note: was anyone else pleasantly surprised by the way Duck Dodgers handled Green Lantern? Funny that we can set higher expectations from WB's cartoons division than we can for Hollywood.)

[JohnPopa]

I also hope they try and find a far more serious and sincere way of telling a story about a grown man in spandex defeating evil by making a big boxing glove out of green energy eminating from his finger.

I'd hate for them to just make the whole thing look ridiculous.

[FIG]

Originally posted by MattZitron
Its been a couple of days of good Superhero movie news.

Brian Synger has offered Superman to Tom Welling.

And I know he can do it.

Thats not good news, Tom Welling looks like a boy, not a man. Leave him as Superboy on that b@starized Superman soap opera called Smallville.