One of the most anticipated comic book adaptations we have in our future is Green Lantern, with Ryan Reynolds in the role of the DC Comics’ superhero.
We know they’ve put out a casting call for other roles in the film and we know production has moved from Sydney to New Orleans because of the soaring Australian dollar.
But what else can we expect to see? Director Martin Campbell, who previously helmed Casino Royale, has given us some indications of what we can expect
He admits it will be a big challenge in bringing to life a hero trained on another world to wield a ring of great power and join an intergalactic police corps.
Campbell said:
“It’s daunting. Just the process, something like 1,300 visual effects shots, it’s mind-blowing, quite honestly.”
Campbell explained that the amount of FX work was due to the Green Lantern’s powers generated through his mystical ring.
“It’s energised by a battery on the planet of Oa, which taps into the willpower of everyone in the universe.
“From that ring you can form constructs. So if you got into a fight, you could form a giant fist. Or a fighter plane.”
All the digital wizardry will be expensive – and although Warner Bros hoped to shoot in Sydney and take advantage of tax concessions, the budget was pushed to unacceptable levels by the strengthening Australian dollar, so the studio moved production to New Orleans and Filming is to begin there in April.
Campbell said:
“It’s a very interesting city…with a damn good tax rate.”
He hopes the end result will be a type of superhero we haven’t seen on screen before:
“He’s the only superhero to my knowledge who regularly goes to another planet. Superman and Batman were essentially locked into a particular city. The Lantern isn’t so Earthbound.”
Green Lantern is set for release in June, 2011.
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