Welcome to the first entry of what I’m going to call “William’s Soapbox”. This post (and future posts for that matter) will be web exclusive, and will feature a topic that I am quite interested and passionate about. For this first topic: I’m going to rant a little bit and offer a different side to the current discussion about who should play Hal Jordan in the upcoming Warner Brothers movie: “Green Lantern”.
If you are a listener of Between the Panels, you know that Dane and I have a great love of Green Lantern, and really enjoy what Geoff Johns is doing with the character. By now you might have heard that Warner Brothers is wisely deciding to go forward with the filming of a Green Lantern movie with some major talent behind it. Marc Guggenheim (“Eli Stone”, “Amazing Spider-Man”) and Michael Greene (“Heroes”, “Kings”) are the writers while Martin Campbell of “Casino Royale” fame is directing. Last week, official details were released including budget information and shooting location, but the press release was missing something: the lead actor. We have talked on the show about Chris Pine getting a possible Green Lantern bid, and I was excited for the possibility of Captain Kirk becoming our fearless pilot, until Comic Book Resources had an interview with Brian Austin Green.
Who?
A fan image of Brian Austin Green as Hal Jordan (thanks CBR)
For those that don’t know, Brian Austin Green or BAG, is an actor most famous for “Beverly Hills 90210″, Derek Resse in the current “Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles”, or “that dude that’s dating Meagan Fox”. My experience with BAG has been through Terminator, and frankly, he’s done one hell of a job. Green provides a quiet, yet poised demeanor. This really draws you in and makes you love the character. Then why is Green a bit nervous about landing the role of Hal Jordan? “It’s the first time I’ve ever really pushed for something the way I’m pushing for this . . .” Green told CBR. Here, at BtP while Chris Pine seems like a great choice, I believe that BAG makes a great case as to why he should get a power ring to protect and serve Section 2401.
It seems that Warner might be looking to cast a Hal Jordan that is a bit younger, which makes the rumored pick of Chris Pine make sense. However, Green makes a good point: “I’ve always kind of felt that Hal Jordan needs to be a man. He needs to be somebody who lives a little and experienced a lot. . .”. Hal Jordan is a man’s man. It’s hard for most men to lose a father, but what about when you are a child, and you see your father die with your very own eyes? BAG seems to have a real lock on the attitude of the character. And if that doesn’t sell you, read this:
“It’s the same dimensions as the character I get to play on “Terminator.” You have this guy who is in the fight for the greater good but at the same time he’s f***** lost so much. He’s so angry and so frustrated that it’s a hard line to walk. It’s hard to look every situation in its eyes and make the right choice. I just love that internal struggle anytime I see it on camera. Even in the slightest ways. It just creates something extra. It adds life to the character.”
Hal Jordan was a man that started with noble intentions, then had quite a fall from grace, was given a second chance, and is now using that to make good on past mistakes. In John’s current Green Lantern run, Hal knows he’s screwed up, in fact, he can’t stop thinking about his mistakes, yet uses this experiences to make him stronger, and give him the will to carry on. That’s what makes Hal such an interesting character.
But enough about Hal, what makes me think that Brian Austin Green deserves the part? Like I mentioned, BAG has a solid idea of what the character should look and act like. And if you don’t think he can pull it off, go and watch “Goodbye to All That“, an episode of Terminator in which Derek reflects about all that he’s lost in sacrifice against the machines. Green nails the tragedy of the situation so perfectly, and this can totally relate to the situation that Hal faces. Hal had to watch his father die in front of his very own eyes, something that changed him for the rest of his life. In a sense, BAG has already nailed perfectly the character of Hal Jordan through his time spent on “Terminator”.
Yes there are issues with casting Green. BAG doesn’t really have much of an appeal outside the television crowd, while Pine seems to command the screen in the new “Star Trek” which will be released in a matter of weeks. That being said, “Green Lantern” could be the perfect place for Green to start his film career. However, if Chris Pine can do well in “Star Trek”, as a rebellious Kirk, then that might be just the boost he needs to land the role of Hal. Time will tell.
Regardless of what I think, Warner Brothers will go with who they think is best. Should Pine be chosen, I’m sure we’ll see one amazing Hal Jordan, but I won’t be able to stop thinking about what dimensions Green could have brought to the character. So Warner Brothers, if you’re reading this, give Brian Austin Green a shot, and if he doesn’t land Hal, hopefully he can get another part, because actors don’t really put themselves out on a line all that often, and Green deserves some sort of compensation for placing himself out there like this.
Check out the full Brian Austin Green interview over at Comic Book Resources.
So what did you think? Am I right? Or horribly of base? Sound off in the comments below!
(William Goodman is the co-host and founder of the Between the Panels podcast which can be found at it’s home on the web, http://www.btpcast.com/ )
