John Stewart: THE DCCU Green Lantern

John Stewart: THE DCCU Green Lantern

Why John Stewart should be selected as the default Green Lantern in the DC Cinematic Universe.

Editorial Opinion
By mykanmur - Jan 04, 2014 07:01 AM EST
Filed Under: Green Lantern
Source: ComicBookMovie.com

There are several rumors flying around about the nature and content of the sequel to Man of Steel - many of which I myself am taking with a grain of salt until things become more concrete. One of these many rumors is how Green Lantern will be handled in MOS2, and in the DC Cinematic Universe (DCCU) in general. I personally don't think Green Lantern will appear in MOS2 - there's no need for him to appear, and it would likely be overkill.

A rumor that has appeared on CBM has suggested that Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson could potentially portray the role of John Stewart as GL: http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/notyetamovie/news/?a=92347. Though I don't see The Rock as a good choice for the roll of John Stewart (Idris Elba seems to be the ideal choice for this character in the rumor mill thus far), the decision to use John Stewart in the roll of the Justice League Green Lantern is a good one. Here's why:

1. It promotes diversity:
One of the things that made the Justice League and Justice League Unlimited cartoon series work is the conscientious focus on diversity. Instead of using Hawkman, they went with Hawkgirl; instead of Hal Jordan, they chose John Stewart. Wonder Woman is no longer the token female of the group, and the all-white super hero team is broken up by heroes with brown and green skin. This is good because it makes the Justice League MORE accessible to the audience from numerous angles.

2. It leaves continuity options open:
By aging Ben Affleck's Batman, the creative crew behind MOS2 is leaving the audience with the option of considering the Christopher Nolan movies as part of the new DCCU continuity. It is potentially a good marketing move. In a similar move, using John Stewart in the role of Green Lantern means not having to recast Hal Jordan. Ryan Reynold's outing has been praised and panned. Rather then totally wipe that movie out of existence (a sequel could potentially revitalize that film series), focusing on another GL, and expanding the GL mythology, is a healthy option.

3. It provides a needed personality type:
Ryan Reynold's personality in GL is arguably very close to that of the Flash - witty, cocky and brash. We don't need 2 cocky super heroes taking up screen time. Batman is elusive and paranoid; Superman is commanding and worldly; Wonder Woman is assertive and harsh. Flash's wittiness has to be balanced with GL's stoic commitment to duty.

It is too early to know what is going to come of Man of Steel 2 (perhaps re-dubbed "World's Finest"). But I'm one to hope that MOS2 maintains focus on the relationship that develops between Batman and Superman. We could get a glimpse of characters like Flash and GL, but only in some in-movie news report. Wonder Woman should be a cameo as Diana Prince, who is perhaps revealed in full in the after credits before her own film. John Stewart should be a cop or military character in a Flash movie. Stewart's role is a major supporting one. Perhaps he's the one trying to bring a team together to take down an interplanetary threat - this would make the most sense due to Green Lantern's cosmic roots.

Time will tell the tale...

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mykanmur
mykanmur - 1/4/2014, 8:26 AM
Part of why I don't see the Rock in the John Stewart role is because he's already a part of plenty of other movie franchises - Fast and Furious, G.I. Joe, and lesser ones. I also don't see him toe to toe with Henry Cavill or Ben Affleck. I could be wrong.
AnthonyLantern
AnthonyLantern - 1/4/2014, 9:10 AM
People keep saying Flash is witty and cocky. Barry Allen is not this at all. Wally West is but Barry isn't. If they do Barry I would much prefer to see his relationship with Hal more so than just John Stewart. Not to mention Hal Jordan just plays a much larger role in the DC Universe. I'm fine introducing John later down the road, but in order to do the GL's right they have to introduce Hal and make him a part of the JLA
mykanmur
mykanmur - 1/4/2014, 9:43 AM
Hal doesn't have to be totally written out of the DCCU - he's already been introduced. As the Justice League expands, Hal could be featured. At this point though, I think that opportunity was lost with the failing of Reynold's movie - they could bring back Reynolds cameos and then feature him in JL, or recast Hal completely. As for which Flash to use, personality-wise, Wally is the better choice. The problem historically with the Justice League is that all the heroes didn't really have distinct personalities (which made them boring). In My Opinion, Marvel has done better because of the distinction of the characters (and a few other reasons). This is something that is important for TEAM DYNAMICS if the Justice League movie wants to compete with Avengers. Barry and Wally could either be combined into one character, or swapped in the JL roster. Whatever they do, I hope they don't screw it up.
Leebo4
Leebo4 - 1/4/2014, 1:36 PM
Ryan Reynolds as hal was cocky because hal jordan was cocky
They could fix that problem by having the serious Barry Allen as the flash
I like john but I would prefer kyle or hal as the film green lanterns as they are me fave human lanterns
AquamanIsTheBest
AquamanIsTheBest - 1/4/2014, 2:40 PM
1) No, Hawkwoman replaced Aquaman, sorry had to say it

2)Nooooo...the Nolanverse should NOT be considered as part of this universe. This is a batman who's going to FIGHT Superman...not one who can barely fight a buff Tom Hardy.

3)"Ryan Reynold's personality in GL is arguably very close to that of the Flash - witty, cocky and brash. We don't need 2 cocky super heroes taking up screen time. Batman is elusive and paranoid; Superman is commanding and worldly; Wonder Woman is assertive and harsh. Flash's wittiness has to be balanced with GL's stoic commitment to duty. "
Have you read read GL or Justice League? Hal has always been witty, cocky and brash...it's a key characteristic.
Also from the way you described the Trinity there you basically said. "We have 3 serious characters and the goofy flash...need another serious guy."

I've never been a big John Stewart fan, he's probably my least favorite next to Rayner. I always preferred Guy and Hal so yeah I'm a little biased here.

But in all truthfulness if diversity is what you want there is a lebaneze, muslim Lantern who'd like to talk to you
http://www.plus961.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Simon-Baz.jpg
Lhornbk
Lhornbk - 1/4/2014, 6:01 PM
Ok, no, the events of the TDK trilogy are NOT gonna be considered canon. Get that idea out of your heads already. I guess if some stubborn people want to think that in their own minds, that's fine. But I guarantee the movies will never mention any of those events. Among other things, it is clear that up to now, Batman in the MoS universe is either an urban myth, or only known in Gotham, not nationwide as those events would have caused.
MightyZeus
MightyZeus - 1/5/2014, 4:43 AM
I'm fine with John Stewart being introduced into the DCCU. It does give The Justice League diversity but at the same time i do wish in the future there will be more Green Lanterns introduced.
mykanmur
mykanmur - 1/5/2014, 6:52 AM
@Lhornbk and GliderMan:
The events of TDK don't need to be referenced directly at all - especially if Affleck's characterization is significantly older - which would explain why he is more experienced and has better gadgets to tussle with Superman. I don't think the two will be fighting much btw. My point was the approach leaves it OPEN for moviegoers to make the decision on their OWN whether TDK is a part of this continuity or not.
mykanmur
mykanmur - 1/5/2014, 7:05 AM
@AquamanIsTheBest:
Yes I did describe the DC Trinity as serious, but it's THREE different types of serious, lol. The point is all THREE characters have different personalities that provides conflict and tension, which makes the on-screen challenge of them coming together as a team more interesting.

YES, I've read GL and JL. My main thought was that with the complications with the GL movie, the OPTION of bringing in another GL needs to be explored. One thing I've learned about comic book movies is that a lot of character and story elements are changed from the story material to help fashion a piece that caters to a wider audience than just the "fan boys". They made these changes with the the animated series, and they worked.

I'm open to John Stewart being the GL that we meet in this JL movie. I'm open with there being only 5 JL characters with perhaps a couple of "second tiered" characters. That doesn't mean that Hal is gone forever, or won't appear as the GL in the next JL outing - it just means they're taking a different route in expanding the GL mythology. We all know there are so many directions to go.
Greengo
Greengo - 1/5/2014, 9:08 AM
If diversity is what they want to promote then they should go with Guy Gardner.
aresww3
aresww3 - 1/6/2014, 3:07 AM
COOL ARTICLE. I THINK ROCK WOULD BE BETTER THAN IDRIS ELBA. NOT BECAUSE HE´S A BETTER ACTOR, BUT DWAYNE IS QUITE CLOSE PERSONALITY WISE
aresww3
aresww3 - 1/6/2014, 3:14 AM
i think john for jl movie, then do green lantern with hal and john. you can even bring back ryan, i think thats a cool idea. both wally and barry need to be merged into one character. both are amazing. barry has the more epic story and sympathetic character, wally has great humor. the two can be merged into a film version of barry.
AshleyWilliams
AshleyWilliams - 1/6/2014, 6:55 AM
Barry Allen nor Wally West are brash, witty, or cocky.
AquamanIsTheBest
AquamanIsTheBest - 1/7/2014, 3:28 PM
@mykanmur
I'm sorry? Who's second tier?
http://static.comicvine.com/uploads/scale_super/10/109662/2661633-aquavsuper1.jpg
http://blog.1979semifinalist.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/flashpoint-emperor-aquaman-3.jpg
Remember this, NONE of the 7 FOUNDERS of the JL are "second-tier"

Anyways I'd be fine with John Stewart, I'm just saying Hal would bring more diversity.
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