Tyrese Gibson has been publicly stumping for the role of Green Lantern in the DC Expanded Universe for quite some time now. With ‘Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice’ breaking records and introducing nearly every major DC hero EXCEPT Green Lantern, the bankable star of the ‘Fast and Furious’ franchise appeared on ‘Larry King Now’ and briefly discussed his desire to play the role, and even teased that some groundwork had been laid.
Tyrese: You know, there have been other artists, actors and actresses who have put up images of them as a comic book character and ended up landing a role. So I was like, it’s worth giving it a shot.
Larry: So, have you heard from Zack Snyder?
Tyrese: No.
Larry: Maybe he’s watching.
Tyrese: I did meet with Warner Brothers, though.
Larry: And?
Tyrese: And…um…shoot me a prayer, Larry.
Larry: You got a shot?
Tyrese: I do.
Indeed, when professional fighter Ronda Rousey expressed interest in playing Marvel’s ‘Captain Marvel’, fans began posting Photoshopped images of her in the costume, many of which she reported in hopes of stirring up interest on Marvel’s part. Could the same approach work for Gibson?
Warner Brothers, DC Comics’ parent company, has a ‘Green Lantern Corps’ movie slotted for release in 2020. This film is part of its Expanded Universe, connected to ‘Batman V Superman’ etc. It is NOT a continuation of its 2011 bomb, which starred Ryan Reynolds in the title role.
In the comics, there are hundreds of Green Lanterns from different planets, with five from Earth alone. Presumably, Gibson would play African American GL John Stewart, a former Marine and architect who was featured as a key member of the ‘Justice League’ on the Cartoon Network’s popular animated series which ran from 2001-2006 (renamed ‘Justice League Unlimited’ for the last two seasons).
The ‘Green Lantern Corp’ movie will supposedly feature multiple heroes in the lead, at least in part to differentiate it from 2011’s ‘Green Lantern’.
In addition to Gibson, both Denzel Washington and Dwayne Johnson‘s names have popped up in connection with playing the character and ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ actor Lance Gross has also publicly announced his desire to play the role. Johnson is now attached to a ‘Shazam!’ movie, so that takes him out of contention.
What actor would you like to see headline ‘Green Lantern Corp’?
Source: Cinema Blend