There has been many discussions about the Green Lantern movie. Finally, they are getting ready for production. The third draft of the script was just finished. The writers of the film are Marc Guggenheim, Michael Green and Greg Berlanti. Donald De Line and Andrew Haas are the producers of the movie. My main concern is the quality of the movie. I am afraid of this movie failing. Movies that have disappointed me recently such as Ghost Rider, Hulk, Elektra, Catwoman and soon to be Punisher. The Daredevil movie was not bad but I believe Green Lantern sits in the same level of popularity. Lets take a look at the history of directors, writers and producers work:
Greg Berlanti: Eli Stone (writer and executive producer), Brothers & Sisters (executive producers, wrote three episodes) ,Dirty Sexy Money (executive producer), Everwood (writer and executive producer), The Prince (producer), Jack & Bobby (writer and executive producer), Dawson's Creek (co and executive producer for four episodes), and the only movie The Broken Hearts Club.
Djoliva's Grade: C+
Mike Green: Heroes (co-executive producer and wrote three episodes), Everwood (supervising producer, co-executive producer, producer and writer), Smallville (co-producer, producer and writer) and Sex and the City (wrote one episode).
Djoliva's Grade: B+
Marc Guggenheim: Eli Stone (writer and executive producer), Brothers & Sisters (consulting producer and wrote two episodes), In Justice (wrote one show), CSI: Miami (supervising producer and wrote three episodes), Law & Order (co-producer, producer, executive story editor and wrote eight episodes), L.A. Dragnet (wrote one episode), The Practice (wrote two episodes), Call of Duty 3 video game (writer)
Djoliva's Grade: B-
Donald De Line: Producer of Body of Lies, Fool's Gold, Without a Paddle, The Stepford Wives, The Italian Job and Domestic Disturbance.
Djoliva's Grade: C
There is a rumor that Nathan Fillion will play Hal Jordan in the film. If this is case lets see Nathan's filmography:
- Trucker, Waitress, White Noise 2, Slither, Serenity, Outing Riley, Water's Edge, Dracula 2000, Blast from the Past, Saving Private Ryan and Strange and Rich. Nathan has done many television shows. He is most know for the Firefly where he plays Captain Malcolm Reynolds.
Djoliva's Grade: C-
Djoliva's overall pre-production grade: C
From the looks of the movie in its early stages doesn't look out to be a great movie. I would consider this average and compare it to movie such as Ghost Rider and the Hulk. At this point I feel as if Daredevil is better. I am a huge fan of Green Lantern and I hope I am wrong. There are many characters and the story line can be broad. Green Lantern can come out with many movies if done correctly. They can bring characters in this movie and setup crossovers. There is a rumor that Superman might make a cameo. That will be hot! Below is a fan made trailer for Green Lantern.
-djoliva
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5 comments:
I totally agree with your analysis of Green Lantern. I'm a little worried about this as well. Sometimes the right mix of people can capture that lightening in a bottle to create something special. You never know.
Nathan Fillion is a great actor. I think he was great in the very under-appreciated Firefly series and its spin off film Serenity. But I don't see him as Hal Jordan. At first glance he doesn't represent the by the book confidence that Jordan has. But you never know, take a look at Mickey Rourke's performance as a broken down wrestler. The point of these actors is to convince you that they are someone else. If Nathan gets the job I hope he can do the same thing and disappear in the role.
On a related casting note about Green Lantern, I truly, without question believe Sean William Scott(Stifler from American Pie) can be Guy Gardner. This is an absolute must for any casting on this film. He just oozes this character's cockiness and, at times, dim witted ignorance. If they get Scott aboard this film then that would be a great first step.
The fears I have about a Green Lantern movie are based on a few things that have become common in today's movie world. The first is the all too common emphasis on special effects and overdone action/violence that destroys the meaning and importance of the movie. Of course, a superhero movie is an action movie. I would expect action and violence. But there is an unfortunate tendency for movie makers to opt for the quick scene, the explosion, the awesome spectacle. There is a long list of intelligent people making stupid movies. The most important thing, in my mind, is if the people doing the movie from producers on down, believe in the movie as a serious venture. Do they understand the character? Are they connected to what the character has embodied over the years? Do they grasp the psychological issues the character faces and struggles with? If those doing the movie are not connected to these issues, they cannot do justice to the the character. Green Lantern has a long legacy, a complicated legacy: power, the use of power, greed, sacrifice, lose, redemption. These are the elements that must inform those that are to be entrusted with creating a film version of a complicated and compelling superhero. If not, the movie will become a farce, as so many have before it.
Bob
I agree with what everybody is saying here. The most important part of the movie is the character development. Understanding the psychological behaviors and the reasons the way the character acts is a big part of the movie.
You got a guy writing and directing it who's made his bread and butter doing character driven shows.
Done well, this will be an Iron Man-ish movie. I think it all depends on the lead.
I think the movie might be lucky to get to the point of an Iron Manish movie. Lets hope for the best!
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