Ryan Reynolds Hilariously Responds to James Gunn’s Green Lantern Request
In the realm of superhero casting, some opportunities are permanently closed while others can be opened with just a text message.
The intriguing behind-the-scenes tales of James Gunn’s reshaping of DC Studios since he took on the co-chief executive role have been emerging, and few stories have garnered as much attention as the contrasting reactions from two A-list stars regarding this new era of DC.
Gunn appeared on the DC Studios Showcase Official Podcast to discuss the early days of his tenure. Among the anecdotes he shared was a glimpse into the text messages he received from Hollywood stars following the announcement. This led to a viral moment that highlights why Ryan Reynolds is unlikely to don a green ring again.
As Gunn recounted, Reynolds initially sent a warm congratulatory message upon hearing the news of Gunn’s appointment. However, when Gunn asked Reynolds if he would consider reprising his role as Green Lantern, the actor’s swift two-word reply was, “Fuck off.” This exchange quickly went viral, and it’s hard to argue against Reynolds’ instinct. He has spent nearly a decade distancing himself from the 2011 film.
Reynolds’ eagerness to leave Hal Jordan behind is well-documented and entirely understandable. The film grossed around $219.8 million worldwide against a reported production budget of $200 million, marking it as a significant financial disappointment for Warner Bros. and DC Comics. This figure becomes even more disheartening when marketing costs are included, with estimates suggesting the total investment reached closer to $300 million.
The film received a mere 26% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics citing its weak script, casting issues, poorly conceived story, and underdeveloped characters. Reynolds has been open about the production’s shortcomings. Variety quoted him reflecting on the experience, stating, “There was just too many people spending too much money and when there was a problem rather than say, ‘Okay, let’s stop spending on special effects and let’s think about character,’ the thinking was never there to do that.” Despite the misery of the ‘Green Lantern’ experience, it ultimately allowed Reynolds to pursue the ‘Deadpool’ franchise, a decision that transformed his career.
While Reynolds was firmly shutting down any talk of a DC comeback, Jason Momoa took a different approach entirely. Upon hearing of Gunn’s new role, Momoa texted him immediately with an enthusiastic message that read, in all caps, “Lobo, baby,” followed by a multitude of exclamation points. This bold move turned out to be quite prescient.
Unlike the exchange between Reynolds and Gunn, Momoa’s conversation proved to be much more serious, as he was ultimately cast to portray the intergalactic bounty hunter Lobo, making his DCU debut in the ‘Supergirl’ film. The former Aquaman star had long expressed his desire to play the character, making the casting feel less like a surprise and more like an inevitability once Gunn took charge.
The contrast between these two text exchanges captures a crucial aspect of the current state of DC. Gunn noted that Lobo helps create a throughline for the ‘Supergirl’ film, mentioning that the character is “maybe, in some ways, the biggest comic book character that’s never been in a film.” Momoa’s enthusiasm met a creative need at precisely the right moment.
On the other hand, Reynolds has long since moved on. His success with ‘Deadpool’ and subsequent work in the MCU means that a return to a character linked to one of the most criticized superhero films in history holds no appeal. The DCU has since advanced with its own version of the Green Lantern mythology, introducing Hal Jordan and John Stewart in the upcoming ‘Lanterns’ series, with Reynolds nowhere in sight. This may be the most fitting conclusion to a chapter both he and Warner Bros. would prefer to forget.
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