James Gunn, the creative force behind ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and now the new DCU recently gave fans a glimpse into his humorous yet visionary approach as co-head of DC Studios.
During the HappySadConfused podcast, Gunn recounted a lighthearted exchange with Ryan Reynolds about the actor’s infamous stint as Hal Jordan in ‘Green Lantern.’ Moreover, Reynolds’ reaction was as hilarious as expected.
James Gunn Jokes About Bringing Back Ryan Reynolds As Green Lantern
James Gunn revealed that when he took on his role at DC Studios, Ryan Reynolds was one of the first people he reached out to. “I was like, ‘You coming back?!‘” Gunn shared. Reynolds, known for his Deadpool-like humor, fired back with a blunt, “Get the f— out of here!”
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Moreover, Reynolds has been vocal about his regrets over Green Lantern. The 2011 film flopped both critically and commercially, and Reynolds himself has frequently poked fun at it.
Notably, in ‘Deadpool 2’, Reynolds’ Deadpool hilariously traveled through time to assassinate “Ryan Reynolds” before the actor could sign on for the role of Hal Jordan.
James Gunn’s Fresh Vision For Green Lantern With ‘Lanterns’
Despite the jokes, Gunn is serious about giving Green Lantern the prestige it deserves. Now, the upcoming HBO series ’Lanterns’ promises a grounded and gripping take on the Green Lantern Corps lore. The show will center on two iconic Lanterns: Hal Jordan and John Stewart.
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Described as a mystery, the show will follow the duo as they investigate a murder in the American Heartland. Gunn teased the series’ tone in a recent interview, calling it “very grounded, very believable, very real.” He emphasized the human element of the story.
He clarified that the show will explore adult themes while maintaining the grandeur fans expect from the Green Lantern mythology. The show is slated to premiere around the same time as ‘Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’, which is expected to hit theaters in June 2026. As for Ryan Reynolds, he seems perfectly happy as the “Marvel Jesus.”