Hal Jordan and ‘The Real Girl’
It’s hardly a secret that Warner Bros. is looking to put Green Lantern into the skies next year. Numerous reports have indicated the studio’s interest in developing the DC super-hero project, including Production Weekly’s acknowledgment of the project as in "active development" and numerous reviews confirming that a script exists. In fact, the buzz across the net and at the DC offices is that the script is just "fantastic."
With Hal Jordan set to slip that ring on in the near future, it’s no wonder that casting speculation has taken the internet by storm. Many fans champion Nathan Fillion of Firefly fame. David Boreanaz (Angel, Bones) was considered a frontrunner for the role due to illustrator Brian Murray’s official concept art using the actor as a model. Although the Boreanaz casting has been debunked by numerous sources since, speculation continues.
Latino Review is the latest to join the fun with a new report. According to their sources, the WB wants Ryan Gosling as Hal Jordan. Though just another rumor for now, the Web site has a solid track record of out-scooping studio press releases in the trades. Earlier this year, they broke the news that Jake Gyllenhaal would be Dastan in Prince of Persia a month and a half before Variety released the official announcement. The site also reported on Jason Reitman’s attachment to Up in the Air a day in advance of a studio sanctioned press release.
For now, Gosling’s casting should be taken as a rumor only — but given Latino Review’s history, the actor is likely to be on the studio’s short list at least.
Fans of Green Lantern are likely divided by Ryan Gosling’s potential involvement. Some will point to The Notebook as irrefutable proof that the thespian should have a court restriction against the beloved DC superhero.
On the other hand, Gosling comes from a similar background as Christian Bale, the current Bruce Wayne on film. He’s starred in several indie films such as Lars and the Real Girl, and even gained an Oscar nomination for his role in Half Nelson. It’s hard to deny that Gosling has the chops to defend Space Sector 2814.
Green Lantern focuses on hot-shot test pilot Hal Jordan coming into possession of the Green Lantern power ring, which allows him to do anything within the limits of his imagination and will power. The film is produced by Donald De Line and Andrew Haas, with a script from Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim and Michael Green.
Is it too much to ask to cast someone who, I don't know, actually resembles Hal Jordan?