Green Lantern 2: Why Ryan Reynolds’ DC Sequel Never Happened
It’s been over a decade since Ryan Reynolds donned the iconic ring of Green Lantern in the 2011 film adaptation of the beloved DC Comics character. Despite its disappointing box office performance and mixed reviews, many fans and critics were left wondering if a sequel would be forthcoming. However, in 2019, Reynolds himself confirmed that a second installment was not in the works, and the franchise has since gone dormant.
So, what went wrong? How did a property with such a rich history and potential for excitement and adventure fail to take off on the big screen? Let’s dive into the story of why Green Lantern 2 never happened.
The Box Office Bust
The original Green Lantern film, directed by Martin Campbell and written by Greg Berlanti and Marc Guggenheim, opened to a disappointing $53 million in the United States, well below expectations. The movie received mixed reviews, with a 29% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, citing poor pacing, weak character development, and a convoluted plot. The international box office was equally unimpressive, and the film ultimately grossed a mere $219 million worldwide.
In the aftermath of the film’s underwhelming performance, Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment were faced with a difficult decision: whether to invest in a sequel. With the superhero genre exploding in popularity in the late 2000s and early 2010s, the studio likely believed that a sequel could have been salvaged with significant retooling and creative changes. However, ultimately, the risks outweighed the potential rewards, and the project was put on hold.
Creative Differences and Reboot Rumblings
In the years following the release of the first film, there were rumors of a potential reboot or reimagining of the Green Lantern franchise. However, these efforts never materialized, likely due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) and the studio’s desire to focus on other projects.
Ryan Reynolds, who had previously expressed enthusiasm for a sequel, began to distance himself from the character and franchise. In 2016, he poked fun at the film’s reception on social media, captioning a promotional image from the movie "I guess I’ll never get to play Hal Jordan again. #GreenLantern #WhatCouldHaveBeen"
The Rise of the DCEU
In the early 2010s, Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment launched the DCEU, a ambitious attempt to create a sprawling cinematic universe modeled after Marvel’s successful Avengers franchise. While the initiative showed promise with films like Man of Steel (2013) and Wonder Woman (2017), the DCEU ultimately stumbled with films like Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) and Justice League (2017).
As the DCEU’s creative direction continued to shift, the prospects for a Green Lantern sequel seemed to dwindle. With the franchise’s core characters and storyline still undefined, the project remained in limbo, and fans were left wondering if they would ever see a new Green Lantern film.
Conclusion
In the end, the Green Lantern franchise’s inability to find its footing on the big screen, combined with the ever-changing landscape of the DCEU, ultimately doomed the potential for a sequel. While fans continue to hold out hope for a reboot or reimagining of the character, the reality is that the Green Lantern franchise remains in stasis, with no clear plans for future development.
As Ryan Reynolds himself quipped, "I guess I’ll never get to play Hal Jordan again." For now, the iconic ring of Green Lantern will remain a footnote in the annals of superhero cinema, a reminder of what could have been if the stars had aligned differently.