Green Lantern Movie Panel - WonderCon 2011

It's a summer of superhero movies and that seemed to be on the mind of everyone at WonderCon day 1 seemed to be Green Lantern. I have never seen so many green superhero shirts in the same vicinity. And Warner Bros. knew they had a great audience to vet footage from their upcoming trailer and film for the all new Green Lantern film starring Ryan Reynolds, Mark Strong, Blake Lively, and Peter Sarsgaard among many other big names. Moderated by Geoff Johns and including 2 of the films biggest stars Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively. The footage was amazing and seemed to calm several of the doubting fans.
The footage shown was parts of the trailer that will be shown before the opening of the Thor movie coming out in the beginning of May. While Geoff Johns, co-producer on the project, said it was not the final cut of the trailer, there was a good 5 minutes of footage. WARNING!!! SPOILERS AHEAD!!! to avoid the spoilers, ignore the red text below:

The clips started with Abin Sur attempting to communicate with Sinestro before the ship is attacked, by Parallax. The attack leaves Abin Sur mortally wounded and in an escape pod headed for Earth. Parallax looks alot like a yellow cloud crossed with the giant-bug-alien from the first Men In Black and completely infiltrated the ship. Next we cut to Hal Jordan finding Abin Sur and receiving the ring and instructions to activate the lantern. Back at home, Jordan attempts (with some humor) to unlock the lantern before being sorta hypnotized by the lantern to recite the Green Lantern Oath and be shot through space to the planet of Oa. Jordan meets Tomar Re (voiced by Geoffery Rush) and learns about his suit and powers then we get cut to Sinestro speaking to the Green Lantern Corps. (the entire corps. - several cameos!). The clip finished up with quick shots of the Hector Hammond, more Parallax, and Carol Ferris. 


Still here? Good! Needless to say, the trailer should help propel the movie to a box office success. After the footage and introduction of Reynolds and Lively, the Q&A portion was opened to the audiences. Lots of "I love you Ryans" and "You're great on Gossip Girl, Blake" were shared amongst questions. Alot of funny remarks and back and forths between the two stars as well about how cool it was to do stunts or how the body suit was like "a coffin with a zipper" in the August, Louisiana heat. Some of Reynold's best remark to questions were:

Q: Do/Did you read the comics?
Reynolds: "Yes, I'd be an asshole if I didn't"

Q: How do you think the large amount of superhero movies will affect Green Lantern?
Reynolds: What, you don't think people in this room are excited for all these movies? You think they're holding out for Black Swan 2?

Q: What's it like playing a villain like Deadpool and a good guy like Green Lantern, and which do you prefer?
Reynolds: First off, Deadpool isn't a villain, he's an asshole...

Another question led to Blake Lively talking about the possibility of playing Star Sapphire in a sequel She'd love to and would like to have a little more to the front of the costume (to which the audience booed) and would like the chance to beat up Ryan in a fight. Ryan added, "I'm pretty sure the name of the movie is Green Lantern and I'd win."

Reynolds was also asked to recite the Oath, but was reluctant and instead tried to get an audience participation recital of the famous statement. He started it, Geoff Johns helped a little and the audience came in at the very end to finish it off. I'm sure he is trying to avoid being asked that question for the rest of his career and save it for on screen only.

Overall very fun panel and a great way to promote the film which has not seen very much marketing due to the high amount of special effects involved and still being polished. Finally, another tidbit spun off from a question to Reynolds (that I've been waiting for official word on), Geoff Johns said that a Justice League movie is officially in development - not just a rumor anymore.

Check out photos from the panel and of the various posters throughout the exhibit hall floor on our web album and stay tuned to Fanboy Headquarters for more coverage from Wonder Con 2011!

Martin Bright, 4/1/2011