The impact of Ryan Reynolds’ screenwriting on the Green Lantern movie has been highlighted by director Martin Campbell, who recently suggested that the film might have succeeded if Reynolds had contributed to the script. In a candid interview, Campbell reflected on what went wrong with the 2011 superhero film and why a different creative approach could have changed its fate.
Martin Campbell Reflects on Lost Opportunities with Screenplay
Released in 2011, Green Lantern starred Ryan Reynolds in the title role and featured cast members including Blake Lively as Carol Ferris, Peter Sarsgaard as Hector Hammond, Angela Bassett as Amanda Waller, and Mark Strong as Thaal Sinestro. Despite its high-profile cast and the popularity of the Green Lantern comic, the movie was met with criticism and poor box office performance, currently holding only a 25% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 248 reviews.
While discussing the film in an interview with The Direct, Martin Campbell suggested the production took a misstep by not involving Reynolds in the writing process. He said,
“In fact, I wish to God he had written the script, and it would have been great. But he’s always taking jabs at it.”
Campbell acknowledged the actor’s sense of humor about the situation, noting Reynolds often pokes fun at the movie in public appearances. —Martin Campbell, Director
Campbell also mentioned a personal silver lining for Reynolds: although the film underperformed, it was on set that he met Blake Lively, who played Carol Ferris. The pair later married and have four children together, a real-life development that extended beyond the movie’s scope.
The Screenwriting Team and Director’s Accountability
The screenplay of Green Lantern was written by Greg Berlanti, Michael Green, Marc Guggenheim, and Michael Goldenberg, working from a story crafted by Berlanti, Green, and Guggenheim. Campbell, reflecting on the movie’s shortcomings, admitted his role in its reception. He stated,
“All I can say is, Ryan’s a very funny guy, very fun. We actually had a terrific time on the film. I thoroughly enjoyed working with him and with Blake Lively. She was terrific as well. And he’s always, he’s got a great whip, you know, Ryan.”
—Martin Campbell, Director
The director’s willingness to take responsibility for Green Lantern’s failure illustrates his commitment to the final product, while still appreciating the contributions Reynolds and Lively brought to the project.
Ryan Reynolds’ Perspective and the Movie’s Enduring Legacy
Years after the film‘s release, Ryan Reynolds shared insight into his own outlook. In 2021, he admitted on X (formerly Twitter) that he had never seen Green Lantern, announcing he would watch it for the first time. After viewing, he recognized the extensive efforts behind the production. Reynolds remarked that
“hundreds of incredible crew and cast members did amazing work”
on the movie, adding that while Green Lantern might not have been “perfect,” it wasn’t a “tragedy” either.
Martin Campbell, whose career includes acclaimed films such as GoldenEye, Casino Royale, The Mask of Zorro, Vertical Limit, Beyond Borders, and The Legend of Zorro, continues to be candid about his experiences and the lessons learned from high-profile projects like Green Lantern.
The discussion about Ryan Reynolds’ potential screenwriting impact on Green Lantern invites reflection on creative choices in blockbuster filmmaking. While Green Lantern did not achieve critical acclaim, its story continues to prompt conversations about collaboration and the significant roles actors and directors can play in shaping a film’s destiny. The film’s legacy endures, not only for its cast and crew but for the possibilities of what could have been had different decisions been made during production.
