Ryan Reynolds has openly discussed what he calls a defining career lesson learned from his time starring in Green Lantern, the 2011 DC superhero film that failed to meet box office expectations. Speaking nearly 15 years after its release, Reynolds shared how the disappointment shaped his professional approach and personal resolve, emphasizing the importance of voicing creative opinions—a core insight behind the Ryan Reynolds Green Lantern lesson.
Released on June 15, 2011, Green Lantern entered theaters with great anticipation but failed to perform as a blockbuster, just barely surpassing its $200 million budget by grossing $219 million globally according to The Numbers. Despite the initial hope for a hit, the film’s modest earnings classified it as one of Reynolds’ less successful projects.
Reflecting on the period, Reynolds, now 49, described himself as too acquiescent during production and said he often followed directives without asserting his own creative instincts. During the Wall Street Journal’s CMO Council Summit on November 18, he explained the toll this approach took on him, admitting he needed to learn how to speak up on set.
You know, that was a time in my life when I was ‘Yes, sir, no, sir. How high can I jump, sir?’
Ryan Reynolds, Actor
You sit there, and you go, ‘I have really strong thoughts and opinions on a creative matter,’ and someone else on another movie, I remember, made a creative decision, and ‘I thought, well, that’s a nail in a coffin that I alone will lie in.’
Ryan Reynolds, Actor
Reynolds pointed out that failing to assert his voice led to him shouldering most of the responsibility for the film’s outcome, particularly in the eyes of audiences and critics. The experience made him realize the consequences actors can face if they do not advocate for themselves in creative projects.
They don’t say ‘This producer’s movie flopped,’ or ‘This director’s [movie flopped].’ That’s me. So if I’m going to be on that headline, I’d like to be the architect of my own demise — or success.
Ryan Reynolds, Actor
They don’t say ‘This producer’s movie flopped,’ or ‘This director’s [movie flopped].’ That’s me. So if I’m going to be on that headline, I’d like to be the architect of my own demise — or success.
Ryan Reynolds, Actor
How Green Lantern Shaped Reynolds’ Personal Life Beyond the Screen
Despite its lack of critical acclaim and commercial triumph, Green Lantern marked the beginning of a significant chapter in Reynolds’ personal life. On set in 2010, he met Blake Lively, who played Carol Ferris, the Vice President of Ferris Aircraft and his character Hal Jordan’s principal love interest. Their connection on set turned into a relationship, and the couple married in 2012. Together, they have welcomed four children—three daughters, James, Inez, and Betty, and their young son, Olin.
Reynolds remarked humorously about his son’s affection for the movie, noting that the film continues to play a role in his family’s life.
You laugh, but my son, it’s his favorite movie, and he watches it every f—— day,
Ryan Reynolds, Actor
Do you understand the work I’ve had to do to get to the place where I can just pass by that screen and not go, ‘Well, we could have [done something to make it better]?’
Ryan Reynolds, Actor
The Ongoing Legacy and Future for Green Lantern
Although the film was not a turning point for the DC Cinematic Universe, interest in Green Lantern characters persists. Guy Gardner, portrayed by Nathan Fillion, recently appeared in James Gunn’s Superman, scheduled for release in 2025. In addition, Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios are preparing an HBO series titled Lanterns, which is expected to premiere in 2026 and continue exploring the mythos of the Green Lantern Corps.
Background on Characters and Story
The Green Lantern Corps is an intergalactic force safeguarding order for centuries. The franchise’s central character, Hal Jordan, played by Reynolds, was the first human selected to join the group, facing skepticism from other members who doubted humans’ capabilities. His journey challenges him to prove himself as the only hope against the villain Parallax, emphasizing themes of courage and self-belief—a thread that echoes the real-life lesson Reynolds has since shared.
Notably, Blake Lively’s portrayal of Carol Ferris and the film’s ensemble cast form the core of the movie, connecting powerfully to the broader legacy of DC’s superheroes and Reynolds’ career. Despite the initial setbacks, the Ryan Reynolds Green Lantern lesson endures as a reminder of the importance of self-advocacy in creative endeavors and the unexpected ways even setbacks can shape personal and professional growth.
