Tom Cruise Rumoured to be Hal Jordan? 10 Actors Who Could Play The Green Lantern!
The rumour mills have been flying recently with who could be playing Hal Jordan, The Green Lantern, in DC’s upcoming slate of movies. One name sticks out the most, Tom Cruise. Cruise certainly retains star power and has a lot of success under his belt, proven by the recent success of Mission: Impossible – Fallout. Which paired him with current Man of Steel, Henry Cavill. He also has cocky ace pilot in his repertoire, with Top Gun possibly still being his most famous role to date. Cruise has shown a willingness to stick with a franchise for years, like Mission: Impossible, being that it is successful.
However he is not invincible, The Mummy last year was a major flop, and for good reason. That kind of turbulence would likely make Cruise drop the role of Green Lantern and leave DC/WB in an impossible situation. Overall he could be the perfect choice for an experienced Hal Jordan in the Green Lantern Corps movie and this isn’t the first time he was attached to play the character. On top of which he was once slated to play Iron Man, that eventually went to Robert Downey Jr.
All in all, Tom Cruise isn’t everyone’s top pick to play the Green Lantern, nor is he ours. Whilst the absence of an emerald ring holder is becoming fast apparent in the world of DC movies. With expectations high for an appearance in the Justice League movie (that was more than an ancient alien) that didn’t happen. There are plenty of actors who could fill that ring. So without further ado, here are 10 actors who could play Green Lantern, Hal Jordan…
#10. Armie Hammer
With a chiselled jaw and a beaming smile, he was, I thought personally, the perfect choice for SHAZAM, a role that inevitably went to Zachary Levi. His charm and wit, combined with playfulness, make him seem like a giant child, hence my choice for SHAZAM. Though he’s a pretty imposing dude, who could definitely go toe to toe with Cavill, as seen in The Man from UNCLE. Whilst he may have struggled before in the comic-book movie genre, with the awful Lone Ranger movie, he was once top choice for Batman. Plus he’s been packing on star power ever since The Social Network, especially after Call Me By Your Name. A lot of other people seem to think he’d make a great choice too. Hey, if not Green Lantern perhaps he’d make a great Booster Gold.
#9. Ewan McGregor
Whilst we’re waiting around for an Obi-Wan-Kenobi solo film, it would be great to see McGregor fill in another iconic role. He has experience when it comes to big blockbuster space operas and committing to a series, so Green Lantern would be a great fit. There is no reason why this interpretation has to be American either, so we could enjoy McGregor’s natural soothing tones, and it would help broaden the world of DC movies. He could easily play an older, experienced and mentoring Hal Jordan. Plus his brother is a RAF Pilot in real life, so clearly flying is in McGregor’s blood. Even McGregor’s current girlfriend Mary Elizabeth Winstead could play a part as Carol Ferris (Star Sapphire), once played by Blake Lively (assuming Wren’s MoS Carrie Farris is a different, yet similar, character).
#8. John Krasinski
Once known for playing Jim in The US Office, Krasinski has been blazing a path for himself as an action star in 13 hours and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan. He’s already fought monsters in A Quiet Place and was once in the running for Captain America before it ultimately went to Chris Evans. Krasinski has shown recently that he can play both serious and lighthearted roles, which is really the embodiment of a Green Lantern. The way he turned his career around really proves he has the willpower to control the ring. It seems he will undoubtedly be snatched up for some superhero property sooner or later so why not Green Lantern.
#7. Matt Damon
Damon has recently had a couple of cameos in superhero films, Thor: Ragnarok and Deadpool 2. Both were Marvel sure, but it shows he is willing to appear in comic book movies. Racking up a great, long successful career, he has the star power and talent that studios look for. Damon’s also no stranger to sci-fi. Featuring in The Martian, Interstellar and Elysium. Undoubtedly Green Lantern would be a new level for him to really sink his teeth into. Of course, one of the top reasons we want to see him in the DC World is to pair him with best friend and actor Ben Affleck, who is currently playing Batman. It would be great to see them on screen together as super friends.
#6. Timothy Olyphant
Perhaps best known for his roles on Television rather than in movies, Olyphant is a great actor. His time on Justified certified him a bad-ass and his recent endeavour on Netflix’s Santa Clarita Diet has proved his natural acumen for humour. He might look a little more menacing than our other choices but just imagine him in the Parallax storyline, he could do wonderfully terrible things. At 50 years old he would easily fit into the Green Lantern Corps as an experienced Hal Jordan. Probably the least well known on our list amongst general wider audiences, roles shouldn’t be cast for star power alone, it’s much better for a movie to make a star than a star to make a movie. However that doesn’t discredit the great things Olyphant could bring to the role.
#5. James Marsden
A few people have been championing this casting call already. Perhaps because of his shamefully underutilised turn as Cyclops in the X-Men, often overlooked for Wolverine-centric stories. Marsden has been killing it as Teddy on HBO’s Westworld, a character who seems to share a lot of similarities with our emerald ace pilot. Marsden can be considered a superhero movie vet, with four X-Men movies under his belt and playing Perry White’s son in DC’s Superman Returns. It would be great to see him get his turn in the titular role of a big blockbuster movie. Combining classic Hollywood good looks with undeniable charm, Marsden would be perfect for the role.
#4. Ryan Gosling
Once James Marsden’s co-star in The Notebook, Gosling has made a name for himself as the strong silent type. For films such as Drive, Only God Forgives and even Blade Runner 2049. Of course Gosling is also known for his funny side too, like the delightful The Nice Guys, a perfect match for Hal Jordan. Gosling has the power to bring in audiences these days and the talent to match. New film, First Man envisions him as astronaut Neil Armstrong. The perfect stepping stone toward becoming The Green Lantern. He’s not only got great experience but a long career still ahead of him, so if he can commit to a long term role he would be a great catch for DC Warner Brothers.
#3. Michael Fassbender
It’s hard to find anyone that doesn’t like Michael Fassbender. Despite that, he hasn’t managed to find mainstream success outside of supporting roles. Whilst he has delivered arguably iconic star performances in X-Men, Prometheus and Inglorious Basterds. His lead roles in Assassin’s Creed and The Snowman have flopped. Not by any fault of his own really, so the success of Green Lantern would rely on how well the story is written and directed. It would be hard to dislike Fassbender in any role. Many people agree, thus he has been a lot of people’s top choice as a replacement for Batman, The Flash or Aquaman etc. Should it come to that. In favour with general audience’s right now, it would be smart move for DC to capitalise on that. Considering his role as Magneto looks to be coming to a close.
#2. Jason Segel
A wildcard choice, many people would probably disagree with this casting as he hasn’t shown much proof for it. This would depend entirely on how Segel approaches it and his commitment to the role. I’m picturing a Krasinski/Pratt level of transformation could be possible to make Segel the Green Lantern. Known primarily for his roles as a stoner in Judd Apatow projects since Freaks and Geeks, he’s most famous for playing Marshall in How I Met Your Mother. This is a long shot, but with the right training and commitment I’m certain Segel could pull it off. Segel seems like a genuine guy, he’s funny, he’s tall, and he once wore a Superman costume under his clothes as a kid for weeks. We’re all about giving people a chance. His career has been quiet lately, but he is still well known, which could be the perfect call for the Green Lantern reboot.
#1. Chris Pine
*Gasp* How could this be our number one spot? Considering Pine has already played Steve Trevor in the wildly popular and successful Wonder Woman movie. A role he is reprising with Wonder Woman 1984. Well we have the perfect solution… Ace pilot Hal Jordan is actually the great nephew of WWI ace pilot and spy Steve Trevor! Simple. It would add an interesting dynamic between Hal and Diana’s (Wonder Woman) relationship whilst keeping their on screen chemistry alive. This is a long shot as the studio would probably consider it a risky move, but the payoff would be great. Pine and Gadot work really well together. He was superb in Wonder Woman. Once already previously rumoured to be Green Lantern. He has already excelled in the sci-fi genre as Captain Kirk. It’s basically a perfect match and needs to happen. Make it happen.
#0. The Villain: Sinestro – Hugh Jackman
What is a superhero without their arch nemesis and The Green Lantern’s greatest villain is undoubtedly Sinestro! Once friend and hero of the GL Corps, turned evil-doer and spreader of fear. Previously helmed by the great Mark Strong, who was a great choice for the role, WB will want to get as far away from that as possible so unfortunately no returning cast. This opens up a great many options and is a tricky choice. Some have voiced their opinion to have Luke Evans or Jason Isaacs in the role, both very positive choices. However our choice for Sinestro is Hugh Jackman!
We considered him as Hal Jordan but figured he might be better suited for Sinestro, a chance to stretch his villainous legs. Whilst he has managed to avoid getting typecast, with brilliant roles in The Prestige, Prisoners and The Greatest Showman. Jackman is still best known as Wolverine, a part he played for nearly twenty years. So as to avoid committing to a main role again he can appreciate some rest as a villain, needing much less screen time but still with the opportunity to create something iconic.
Well, what do you think of our choices? Do you love them? Hate them? Are you confused by some of them? Do you want to see Tom Cruise take over the Green Lantern helm? Tell us how you feel in the comments below!
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