Casting the Green Lantern Corps.
So Geoff Johns left DC to write exclusively for DC... or something like that. The main point is that if you look up this story, you'll notice that Geoff will be writing a Green Lantern Corps. movie. While we know for sure that Ava won't be directing, like I suggested, we still can speculate on who could play the various roles.
So like I've done for Batman's rogue gallery on this site. Not to mention the X-Men and Spider-Man's rogue gallery on Spoiled Rotten, let's do some fan casting for the Green Lantern characters we all know... and I kinda like.
Actor/Character:
Bruce Greenwood as... Alan Scott (1st Appearance 1940)
Why, Though:
I don't know why, I just like Bruce Greenwood. He's actually one of my favourite people to voice Batman when Kevin Conroy is not available. I think he's a strong actor that I believe in a mentor role. He's got a paternal feel to him that I appreciate and that will definitely come in handy later on as we expand on this cast!
Actor/Character:
Ryan Gosling as... Hal Jordan (1st Appearance 1959)
Why, Though:
I know this guy has turned down comic book movies like nobody, but I still think he's got the look for a Hal Jordan. I didn't like Ryan Reynold's movie as a whole. Based on the Deadpool 2 post credits, neither did Ryan. However, if Ryan Gosling could tap into his fun side. You know the Remember The Titans/Nice Guys energy? I think he'd bring a lot to co-lead role.
Actor/Character:
David Oyelowo as... Abin-Sur (1st Appearance 1959)
Why, Though:
As even a fairweather Green Lantern fan like myself knows, Abin-Sur doesn't have to take up much time. You just need to immediately know that he's that dude and trust that he knows best who should get the ring next when he passes it off to Hal. I think David's voice would really drive that home. Let him keep his majestic British accent and the audience will immediately believe anything Mr. Oyelowo's Abin-Sur says in what I presume would be flashbacks.
Actor/Character:
Sarah Gadon as... Carol Ferris/Star Sapphire (1st Appearance 1961)
Why, Though:
Wow 4 entries in and not an American in sight! I was first made aware of the third Canadian on this list in A Dangerous Method. I remember in Enemy and promise I'll watch her in Alias Grace at some point this year. The point is Sarah is an amazing actor and I think that will be important if you want to care about her just as much in her Carol phase as you do in her Star Sapphire phase.
Actor/Character:
Luke Evans as... Sinestro (1st Appearance 1961)
Why, Though:
Maybe this will be the casting that makes Luke Evans the star that his consistent work is trying to make him out to be. I don't hate Luke. I feel like I was lukewarm on him, however, I can't deny that I was happy he appeared in F8 of the Furious for some reason. I want Luke to have some fun with Sinestro. And then really play up the idea that Sinestro and Hal kind of love each other like brothers. Really dig into the fact that they want to be in each other's lives but just can't get on the same side of the fight for various reasons.
Actor/Character:
Bill Hader as... Tomar-Re (1st Appearance 1961)
Why, Though:
I know people are looking at me crazy for going from Geoffery Rush to Bill Hader, but his recent work in Barry should prove he's not just a jokes guy. Having said that, why Can't Tomar-Re be played for comedic relief by someone who knows how to deftly balance drama and comedy? Also... I like Bill Hader. I'll never be mad at him being cast in something. So let's see how he does as the voice of Tomar-Re!
Actor/Character:
Jeffrey Wright as... Hector Hammond (1st Appearance 1961)
Why, Though:
Hector Hammond looked mad goofy in the 2011 Green Lantern movie. I don't think you can fix that visually. What you can do is bring in a heavy hitter of an actor to help provide some gravitas. I've never seen a laughable Jeffrey Wright performance and this role would defintiely put that to the test, but I'm sure Jeffrey would make something wonderful out of this role.
Actor/Character:
Taran Killam as... Guy Gardner (1st Appearance 1968)
Why, Though:
My knowledge of Taran Killam comes almost exclusively from SNL. But he was in 12 Years a Slave so I know he can be menacing. The one thing I know about Guy is that he was punched by Batman and I get the sense everyone is ok with that. I like Taran, but i feel like he could play guy Gardner in a way where he's not a completely irredeemable character. I would use Guy as a character who causes trouble during training at first but then becomes a big part of the huge fight at the end of the movie making the audience happy that Hal and the next character changed Guy for the better.
Actor/Character:
Trevante Rhodes as... John Stewart (1st Appearance 1972)
Why, Though:
The other co-lead for me would be John Stewart. Played by Trevante Rhodes! The best part? Mr. La La Land and Mr. Moonlight would have to have the exact same amount of screen time and cool moments and the world could once again pit these two men against each other. Seriously though, Trevante was amazing in Moonlight and it was cool to see him in Westworld. My hope would be that this role gives him that household name status and he goes on to do great things!
Actor/Character:
Brittany Ishibashi as... Arisia Rrab (1st Appearance 1981)
Why, Though:
It's been brought to my attention that the way the comics play Arisia and Hal's romantic relationship is not the best considering her age. Let's remove all that by casting an amazing actor like Brittany Ishibashi. The romantic stuff can stay if you must, but Brittany is the goods on Runaways and I'd like to see her get a big onscreen look like I assume this Green Lantern Corps movie will be!
Actor/Character:
Jasmin Savoy Brown as... Jennifer-Lynne Hayden-Scott/Jade (1st Appearance 1983)
Why, Though:
And now the daughter of Alan Scott! That's right, Jade is the daughter of the first Green Lantern. If we wanted to focus on some newer recruits, it'd be great to see a recruit who feels like she has to live up to her father's legacy. And don't come at me with Alan Scott is white! If having a white man and black woman have a child together is acceptable in Spider-Man: Homecoming, then it'll be great here too! Plus you can't deny Jasmin Savoy Brown is great. Just check her out in The Leftovers!
Actor/Character:
Hannibal Buress as... Kilowog (1st Appearance 1986)
Why, Though:
I know we've had the likes of Michael Clarke Duncan lend his booming voice to this role, but what if, it was the handsome rambler himself, Hannibal Buress? I'm not here to say he has the same voice, I just think it'd be cool if such a visibly imposing character had a much more laid back and kind voice. Maybe I'm wrong, and Maybe my appreciation for Hannibal on Broad City and in general has clouded my judgement, but I think this could be good for Kilowog!
Actor/Character:
Diego Tinoco as... Kyle Rayner (1st Appearance 1994)
Why, Though:
Another member of the new recruits would be Kyle Rayner. I hear he's responsible for the term "Fridging the girlfriend" where the male hero's girlfriend has to be killed to push the hero I don't think we'd get to that in this movie. But we would get a compitent hero who looks up to Hal and John and wants to do the right thing like them. If you don't know who Diego is, check out On My Block on Netflix. I wanted to use his castmate Jason Geano (from Logan), but he just seems too short.
Actor/Character:
Suraj Sharma as... Simon Baz (1st Appearance 2012)
Why, Though:
The most interesting thing I know about Simon is he's got a cool design and he's modeled after Geoff Johns' upbringing as a Half Lebanese person from Detroit. Having said that I'll have to leave the story points about Simon to Geoff since I just want him in the movie and I think Suraj, though he's from a movie I don't much care for, has shown he's a strong actor who deserves what every actor truly wants, to play a super hero!
Actor/Character:
Rosa Salazar as... Jessica Cruz (1st Appearance 2013)
Why, Though:
I'm just learning about Jessica for this post. I knew of her, but since I'm not that into Green Lantern, I can't claim I'm up on her really. Turns out she's unlike most ring bearers in that she doesn't initially want the ring and it tortures her at first. That sounds like it's a great role for someone to play. So let's give an actor who really made me enjoy the latter portion of Man Seeking Woman and the person playing Alita: Battle Angel later this year, Rosa Salazar! She has a vibe that just makes you want to root for her, and I'd love to see her take on this role.
-YG