Since Ryan Reynolds is not returning to Oa anytime soon, and fan favorite Chris Pine is playing Steve Trevor in the upcoming Wonder Woman movie, the role is (almost) anyone’s for the taking.
Considering the first GL flick is still almost five years away, I would assume that WB are looking at actors in their late 20s/early 30s (with some exceptions) and I used this as a criteria for my picks, along with physical resemblance, personality traits and acting chops. Another critical criteria should be how well the actor works as a part of an ensemble, considering it's GL Corps this time around and not a solo outing.
Prefereably, Hal Jordan should be tall, but preferebly not tower over Superman so perhaps somewhere between 5'11" and 6'2". Fit and muscular, but does not need to be as big as Aquaman or Batman, or as ripped as Superman. He needs to have a certain charm as IMO that's a big part of Hal Jordan's character.
Armie Hammer
Pros:
Acting
Looks
Charisma
Age
Cons:
Height
Not only does the 6’5” American actor have the look of Hal Jordan, he’s a very capable actor too. Granted, Lone Ranger was a mess but personally I have a hard time blaming Hammer for that. Also, since the upcoming GL-flick is in fact Green Lantern Corps - and Hammer especially shines when he shares the spotlight with someone else – he’s perfect for the role. Although, while his height would make him fit right in with the likes of Affleck, Momoa, Johnson and Fisher, Hammer too would tower over the Man of Steel himself, much like he did in Man from U.N.C.L.E. On the upside, Hammer is merely 29 and could portray the character for years (maybe even decades) to come.
Jake Gyllenhaal
Pros:
Looks
Acting
Charisma
Height
Cons:
Age
The guy that almost replaced Tobey Maguire as Spider-Man has yet to take on the role of a superhero. Why? Who knows, but it is about time that he does. Turning in several great performances in recent years, Gyllenhaal is currently a hot name in Hollywood and the kind of name that could draw an audience to another GL flick, after Ryan Reynolds failed attempt. The 34-year-old American has the look, the height and the star power needed. Go get him, WB.
Jamie Dornan
Pros:
Height
Looks
Cons:
Age
Once believed to be the next star on the rise, Dornan unfortunately signed on to portray Mr. Grey in the very, very bad 50 Shades of Grey adaption that came out last year. With that on his resume, Dornan needs something else to make him the star he was predicted to become and that could be righting Reynolds’ wrongs and taking on the role of Hal Jordan in DC’s GL Corps movie. He might be Irish, but this 5’11” 33-year-old Irishman has proven to be good with accents and should have no trouble adapting an American one for Hal Jordan.
Chace Crawford
Pros:
Age
Height
Charisma
Looks
Cons:
Untested in blockbusters
One might say that the 30-year-old Texan has struggled in recent years, following Gossip Girl’s culmination, but after landing a role on ABC’s Blood and Oil, things are looking up. Given his age, there’s still plenty of time to hit it big and playing Hal Jordan in the upcoming GL Corps flick can be how he does it. He’s 6’ and reasonably fit, with plenty of charm and most certainly looks the part. Sign him now, WB.
Michiel Huisman
Pros:
Height
Acting
Cons:
Age
Who? He’s the guy who took over the role of Daario Naharis when Ed Skrein decided to hit it big in Hollywood. So far, Skrein has been struggling a bit but is looking to redeem himself with Deadpool next year. So I’d figured if OG Naharis could portray a comicbook character, couldn’t Naharis 2.0 do the same? Of course he could, and with his leading man looks, his charm, his dark hair and his 6’0” frame, this 34-year-old Dutch actor is a great fit for our very own Hal Jordan. His turn as Naharis has shown us that he’s not only a good actor but also that he can handle his fair share of action.
Jensen Ackles
Pros:
Height
Charisma
Looks
Cons:
Age
What can be said about Jensen Ackles? Close to every fan’s favorite choice for the role of Jason Todd/Red Hood in live action, but the 37-year-old might have out-aged the part. But that doesn’t mean he couldn’t portray another DC character and as it would turn out, WB is looking to cast another Lantern soon, and Ackles fit the bill. Standing at 6’1”, the Supernatural star has shown enough screen presence to co-carry a show for over 10 years and it is this ability, his fanbase, his charisma and his looks that makes him a perfect candidate for the role of Hal Jordan in the DCEU.
Martin Wallström
Pros:
Height
Acting
Looks
Cons:
Inexperience as a lead
Wait, who? Sure Huisman didn’t immediately ring a bell, but who the hell is this guy? Hold on and I’ll tell you.
After acting in mainly Swedish productions for nearly two decades, this Swede is currently killing it on USA’s Mr. Robot. Despite being in the game since 1998, Wallström is merely 32 years old and is a definite star on the rise. He stands at 5’11” and looks a bit like Hal Jordan, but would have to get on the Snyder-workout regimen to be able to embody Jordan perfectly. Plus, he has previously worked with Suicide Squad’s Joel Kinnaman. So come on WB, just have Joel give him a call.
Garrett Hedlund
Pros:
Age
Looks
Charisma
Cons:
Height
Previously featured amongst my top choices for Nightwing, it is easy to see that Hedlund fits the bill
for Hal Jordan as well. Standing at 6’2.5”, he’d fit right in amongst the rest of the announced JL members and he most certainly looks the part. At 31, Hedlund is also one of the younger names on my list, and with Tron being shelved (for now), Hedlund should have time to join another franchise.
Can you think of anyone else that would be a good fit? Share your thoughts below.