1. Reynolds' character, Hal, has to go to boot camp to learn how to become a Green Lantern.
Oscar-winning production designer Grant Major (The Lord of the Rings) told us, "Hal has a steep learning curve as a new Green Lantern. He has to learn to use the power and at first he's not very good, like someone picking up a guitar for the first time." Also, the ring has a limited operational life. The various Lanterns have to visit a "pocket dimension" for recharging every 24 hours.
2. The ring's "construct" can be anything Hal imagines.
The ring's power manifests itself as a physical projection, e.g, a "contstruct," based on Hal's imagination. "We didn't want the design to be very mechanical, like 'Transformers' or 'Iron Man,' where he only has one or two tools," Major said. "The constructs have a 'business end,' but are not as solid throughout. They stay green, although they look somewhat like an X-ray." Because Hal's a newbie with this ring thing, his initial constructs when fighting mostly take the form of ordinary weapons, like guns and knives.
3. "This movie couldn't have been done a few years ago."
Reynolds told us that the visual effects are so advanced, "it couldn't have been done even two years ago." Costume designer Ngila Dickson (another 'Lord of the Rings' Oscar winner) told us about the decision to go virtual with the Green Lantern costume. "It's a VFX costume design, partly because it's generated by the ring's power. Also because [each suit] is individual rather than a uniform," depending on who's wearing it. (The other Lanterns come in a mind-blowing range of shapes, sizes and colors.)
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