Green Lantern TV show???

[The Xenos]

Some VERY interesting news out of Lying in the Gutters.

http://www.comicbookresources.com/columns/index.cgi?column=litg&article=2680


RING ROUND

[Green Light]So, you want to be a Green Lantern? A recent casting call in Los Angeles (http://sandiego.craigslist.org/tlg/250738044.html) couldn't make it more obvious. For a pilot for a new TV series, "The Corps."

John Stewart -- (african american male, age 24-27). A SGT in the Marine Corps and just coming back from a trying tour in Iraq. Lead role.

Katma Tui -- (asian or caucasian female, 25-30). A very attractive and sexy, yet militant operative and lead trainer in The Corps. Must be athletic. Lead role.

Addie Stewart -- (african american female, 45-50's). John's mother who is dying of cancer. supporting role.

Hal Jordan -- (caucasian male, 27-35). Former Air force pilot who is injured in a battle with an unknown evil, while on his way to recruit John Stewart. Reoccurring role.

Tyler -- (any ethnicity male, 24-27). Serial killer, works as a hired gun for a local crime boss.

Erin Towers -- (any ethnicity male, 24-27). Former Marine, John's friend from boot camp.

John Stewart the lead, Hal Jordan as supporting?

Now as with most superhero movies and shows, yes, it has a huge potential to suck. Yet I could really see this finally be the DC show to work. Definately better than Smallville, which I liked at first, but ran too hot and cold and seemed to eventually derail into cold.

As for Hal being a side character and John being the lead? I'm all for it. I'd rather see Hal, a traditional serious non-Jack-Black Hal, on the big screen. Plus John seems more.. well.. grounded and connected to family from what little I know of Green Lantern history. So, to me, his story would make a better TV show.

Also, I am reminded of the actor a while ago who was a fan and was petitioning for a John Stewart movie or show.

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=73962&highlight=Stewart+actor

Now this isn't quite what he had in mind, but if he likes the way the show is going and ties out, I wish him all the best.

[Green Lantern wannabe]

I wonder what the green light would do - can it be molded into shapes like in the comics, or is it just a beam weapon? Keep us posted, bud. :)

[the4thpip]

Any aspiring actors on this board who can tell me if this info from the listing is common?



This casting is for NON-UNION talent only. Auditions will begin promptly at 3:00 pm.
Email headshot and resumes complete with measurements and contact information ASAP to: LIGHTOFOA@YAHOO.COM to receive location and reserve your time slot.

No union actors... and the e-mail addy is from yahoo? Kinda odd.

[Cthulhudrew]

Any aspiring actors on this board who can tell me if this info from the listing is common?

I wouldn't say it's common, by any means. The non-union bit doesn't necessarily mean anything other than someone is looking for new and fresh faces (unknowns), but the posting at Craigslist and the yahoo address do seem a bit odd to me.

At a guess, I'd say this isn't any network production at all, but either a fan-film or else someone is shooting a pilot in hopes of pitching it to a network (and is trying to keep costs down). If they were to get a bite, I'm reasonably confident that the roles would be recast.

(Also, note that's from a San Diego Craigslist posting, not an LA one, which- not to be centrist or anything- I would expect would be the case if this was a legitimate casting for a network production.)

[Green Lantern wannabe]

Smallville is in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and so is Battlestar Galactica. I would think that Green Lantern would also be shot in the same place.

[DoctorDoom]

Hrrrmmm...this the chance Nitro G's been waiting for...

Not speaking in the third person btw.... The guy who played Nitro is a friend and he looooves Green Lantern, so I'll be sure to pass all info along to him.

[Jack Zodiac]

Katma Tui, "lead role." That's awesome. I hope this gets more steam behind it than "Mercy Reef" did.

[Frankie Dennis]

I would rather Hal Jordan was the lead, I always found him to be the more interesting character of the two. John is still cool though, I just hope this doesn't become some ridiculous soap opera like Smallville.

[Green Lantern wannabe]

The series should have an origin story, which would mean Hal by default.

[Jack Zodiac]

I would rather Hal Jordan was the lead, I always found him to be the more interesting character of the two. John is still cool though, I just hope this doesn't become some ridiculous soap opera like Smallville.

Note that they're altering John's actual history to include themes from Hal's, just like they did for the "Justice League" cartoon. I don't know why, though. He doesn't have to be military to be a hardass, and I always thought him being an architect made for a great explanation for part of his worth as a Green Lantern. He knows how to imagine and build elaborate things. Just like Kyle's draw was being an artist, and being able to imagine and paint creative things.

[the Dagman]

I always thought of John Stewart as an Avery Brooks type role, too bad he is too old for what they are looking for.

[SKETCHSANCHEZ]

I'm sure I'm the only one but I'm already tired of Stewart being that "face" of Green lantern in the general media. I just find him bland as hell (even DCAU version), especially compared to the other earth lanterns (and what else does he do in the main-dcu besides be a background character these days?)

And if it must be a tv show, i'd rather see a show about the corps, using the concepts introduced for the new GLC*. Y'know, like police drama, but in space with cool aliens and awesome weapons, two lanterns per sector acting much the same way detective partners do.


*I'm not sure if any of these are re-introductions or not (as in; they've always been part of the mythos)

[Sean Whitmore]

At a guess, I'd say this isn't any network production at all, but either a fan-film or else someone is shooting a pilot in hopes of pitching it to a network (and is trying to keep costs down).

That's absolutely what this is. Besides all the reasons already mentioned, does anyone honestly think they could get a Green Lantern Corps series to the casting stage without ANYBODY hearing about it before? In THIS day and age?


SEAN

[Chaos_Sentry]

This certainly has the potential to suck. Especially since Hal isn't the lead.

[Jack Zodiac]

And if it must be a tv show, i'd rather see a show about the corps, using the concepts introduced for the new GLC*. Y'know, like police drama, but in space with cool aliens and awesome weapons, two lanterns per sector acting much the same way detective partners do.

Yeah, instead of what would probably wind up being just another "Smallville," "Buffy," "Angel," "Charmed," whatever else could be a great idea minus the excessive drama and crappy special effects. A series about the Corps needs to be about the Corps, not about a couple of folks from 2814. Waste of a good idea and theme any other way.

[Hush Little Batman]

This certainly has the potential to suck. Especially since Hal isn't the lead.

That's a ridiculous statement. Hal Jordan doesn't = great GL story. If written and produced properly, there are great tales to tell about any member of the corp.

[Super Buddies Forever]

Hell, since the comics aren't doing anything with John then at the very least he can be the face of GL in the general media.

[Bat-Mite]

I wonder why they are asking for a Asian / Caucassian woman to play someone that is going to end up purple anyway.

I also hope John keeps his architecture diploma in this version. It would be kinda crappy if one of the few black superheroes loses his college degree in the translation just because.

I also hope he doesn't blow up another planet like a freaking idiot.

[Sean Whitmore]

I wonder why they are asking for a Asian / Caucassian woman to play someone that is going to end up purple anyway.

Maybe the college student with a camcorder who's casting this can't afford convincing body paint. ;)


SEAN

[Cthulhudrew]

Smallville is in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and so is Battlestar Galactica. I would think that Green Lantern would also be shot in the same place.

Maybe, though I hear filming is getting expensive in Vancouver nowadays. It all really depends on what they're going for, and what they can afford (or are willing to spend).

They would likely still do the majority (if not all) casting here in LA, though.

[Cthulhudrew]

Maybe the college student with a camcorder who's casting this can't afford convincing body paint. ;)

That'd be my guess- that, or else they're going to shoot her with a purple filter. :D

[EDIT- Just noticed that was only a 1 day casting call, too. Absolutely no way this is a real studio/network project.]

[shanejayell]

One day only?

Yeah, that don't sound good. Youtube-fanfilm?

[Young Avenger]

No love for Kyle?

[G. Wayne]

I can see it working in a new Battlestar Galatica/Babylon 5 kind of way. Focus more on the members themselves, the space cop aspect, and interactions with alien races. Have the Corps look more like they do in Superman: Red Son, more like military outfits than tights. The rings would probably be downplayed to lasers beam shoots, and constructs would be a rare thing.

[Preus]

If this is true & a live action Green Lantern series is actually going to be made, the only way I don't see it sucking is if someone with a large budget is making it. Sometimes if the budget is big, the actors suck or if the actors are good, the budget is low. Also, John being in the lead sounds good, to my knowledge the comics hardly use him as it is.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

That's absolutely what this is. Besides all the reasons already mentioned, does anyone honestly think they could get a Green Lantern Corps series to the casting stage without ANYBODY hearing about it before? In THIS day and age?


SEAN

Bingo!

Besides, why would anyone want to see a live-action Green Lantern TV show? Given the limited budget, they'd have to limit what the ring could do to such a degree it'd be Green Lantern in name only.

An Green Lantern cartoon, however? Definitely.

[Loren]

That's absolutely what this is. Besides all the reasons already mentioned, does anyone honestly think they could get a Green Lantern Corps series to the casting stage without ANYBODY hearing about it before? In THIS day and age?

Wasn't it a surprise when "Smallville" showed up on the WB fall schedule in 2001? There'd been buzz about a Young Bruce Wayne show, but the Superboy show just showed up out of nowhere.

Granted, that was 5 years ago, but you'd think it would've attracted more attention in advance.

[stealthwise]

Maybe, though I hear filming is getting expensive in Vancouver nowadays. It all really depends on what they're going for, and what they can afford (or are willing to spend).

They would likely still do the majority (if not all) casting here in LA, though.

Despite the exchange rate being more balanced, it's still much, much cheaper to produce tv/film in Vancouver than in Los Angeles, and there are actually a ton of talented crew members and production crews who live in the city.

That said, this link is obviously for a fan-film, as several posters have surmised.

[Sean Whitmore]

Wasn't it a surprise when "Smallville" showed up on the WB fall schedule in 2001? There'd been buzz about a Young Bruce Wayne show, but the Superboy show just showed up out of nowhere.

Granted, that was 5 years ago, but you'd think it would've attracted more attention in advance.

I honestly couldn't say. Before Smallville I almost never went to comic sites, TV sites, read entertainment mags, etc., so I don't know how well it was kept secret. Pretty much every TV show and movie that came out was a surprise to me.


SEAN

[titansmaster]

John Stewart has ALWAYS been my favorite GL.. My intro to John came in a JLA Christmas story that had Hal falling in the shower and the ring taking off to John to sub for him.

Over the years as I followed the various incarnations of the GLs in the DCU, John has always been my favorite of the GL Corps. (Alan Scott, of course, being my fav GL).

I would love to see another TV venture spotlighting John as GL (the other being the Justice League animated series).

[Cthulhudrew]

Despite the exchange rate being more balanced, it's still much, much cheaper to produce tv/film in Vancouver than in Los Angeles, and there are actually a ton of talented crew members and production crews who live in the city.

Oh, it's definitely cheaper to film in Vancouver than in LA, I don't doubt. I just meant that they wouldn't necessarily film in Vancouver as opposed to LA- a lot of filming is taking place in areas near LA that aren't as expensive- Long Beach is really developing as a location shoot (CSI Miami films here notably), there are a few shows that film in the Palm Springs area, etc. From what I understand, where Vancouver used to be the location of choice a few years ago, due to rising costs (and expanded awareness of it as a filming location), companies are choosing to find other out of the way areas that can be suitable to filming. I believe that Arizona has been developing along those lines as well.

In any event, let's hope this project (whatever it is) doesn't turn out like this:

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/7032/jlaua2.th.jpg (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jlaua2.jpg)

[Jack Zodiac]

Ew, yeah... I tried watching that thing. Holy crap.

[DoctorDoom]

Oh, it's definitely cheaper to film in Vancouver than in LA, I don't doubt. I just meant that they wouldn't necessarily film in Vancouver as opposed to LA- a lot of filming is taking place in areas near LA that aren't as expensive- Long Beach is really developing as a location shoot (CSI Miami films here notably), there are a few shows that film in the Palm Springs area, etc. From what I understand, where Vancouver used to be the location of choice a few years ago, due to rising costs (and expanded awareness of it as a filming location), companies are choosing to find other out of the way areas that can be suitable to filming. I believe that Arizona has been developing along those lines as well.

In any event, let's hope this project (whatever it is) doesn't turn out like this:

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/7032/jlaua2.th.jpg (http://img177.imageshack.us/my.php?image=jlaua2.jpg)
Havent seen it....yet.

[Green Lantern wannabe]

I agree - who's that GL, and what show was he in? Some fan pic?

[Sparkle Motion's Rising Force]

Woof!!! That's from the never-aired CBS pilot of JLA.

Believe it or not, that's "Guy Gardner".

http://www.ohthehumanity.com/review.php3?ID=416

[the4thpip]

Woof!!! That's from the never-aired CBS pilot of JLA.

Believe it or not, that's "Guy Gardner".

http://www.ohthehumanity.com/review.php3?ID=416

It aired in the UK on the Sky channel. I taped it from satellite but didn't manage to watch more than 5 minutes.

[Cthulhudrew]

You can catch most (if not all) of it on Youtube if you do a search for it there.

It is horrific. Truly. I think going for the Giffen humor idea wasn't horrible in itself (though it might have worked better if they'd used characters more suited for it), but the pilot they came up with was so monstrously bad- badly written, badly performed, badly costumed! Those things looked like they had been cut out of big foam padding!

The best part is the Atom saving a woman's cat.

Awful, awful stuff.

[phantom1592]

I'm sure I'm the only one but I'm already tired of Stewart being that "face" of Green lantern in the general media. I just find him bland as hell (even DCAU version), especially compared to the other earth lanterns (and what else does he do in the main-dcu besides be a background character these days?)

And if it must be a tv show, i'd rather see a show about the corps, using the concepts introduced for the new GLC*. Y'know, like police drama, but in space with cool aliens and awesome weapons, two lanterns per sector acting much the same way detective partners do.


*I'm not sure if any of these are re-introductions or not (as in; they've always been part of the mythos)


No Sir, You are NOT the only one. Stewart was always boring to me. Every Lantern had a "hook" except for him. Hal was the "Hero": square jawed and perfect. Gardner was the redneck. Rough, tough, loudmouth. Kyle was the everyman. Stewart was..... I don't know. the black one.

They've tried to give him more personality in recent years but... it just doesn't work for me. I watch JLU and all I see is Sam Jackson with a power ring.


Not sure I'd really like a Space cop show. I just have a bad feeling the costumes/make up would suck or something. Space shows require a pretty big budget to make it look cool. Green Lantern needs a pretty good budget to make the rings right.... That's TWO big budgets to do the rings in space right. Seems like it would fall short to me.


NOw a big budget movie or Animated Series... OHhhh YEah.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

No Sir, You are NOT the only one. Stewart was always boring to me. Every Lantern had a "hook" except for him. Hal was the "Hero": square jawed and perfect. Gardner was the redneck. Rough, tough, loudmouth. Kyle was the everyman. Stewart was..... I don't know. the black one.


When John was first created, he was meant to be the angry young man. But he kinda grew out of that and became, under Gerry Jones' hands, the smart one--a more thoughtful and intellectual hero who thinks outside the box instead of just looking for something to hit as most superheroes do. I think DC should have gone with this characterization, but that would require DC to actually take the initiative and use John Stewart on a regular basis--something they have thus far failed to do.

As much as I liked the JLU version of John, that character just wouldn't work within the DCU for the simple reason that the animated version of John didn't co-exist with Hal Jordan, whom the cartoon took a heaping chunk of to create their version of John. Retconning John into a more hardassed version of Hal Jordan is not the answer. The DCU already has a Hal Jordan. John Stewart has to be his own man.

Restoring John Stewart as the thinking man's Green Lantern is the best route, as I see it.

[DoctorDoom]

When John was first created, he was meant to be the angry young man. But he kinda grew out of that and became, under Gerry Jones' hands, the smart one--a more thoughtful and intellectual hero who thinks outside the box instead of just looking for something to hit as most superheroes do. I think DC should have gone with this characterization, but that would require DC to actually take the initiative and use John Stewart on a regular basis--something they have thus far failed to do.

As much as I liked the JLU version of John, that character just wouldn't work within the DCU for the simple reason that the animated version of John didn't co-exist with Hal Jordan, whom the cartoon took a heaping chunk of to create their version of John. Retconning John into a more hardassed version of Hal Jordan is not the answer. The DCU already has a Hal Jordan. John Stewart has to be his own man.

Restoring John Stewart as the thinking man's Green Lantern is the best route, as I see it.
Agreed Mr.Bored. Well said.

[BoosterBronze]

You can catch most (if not all) of it on Youtube if you do a search for it there.

It is horrific. Truly. I think going for the Giffen humor idea wasn't horrible in itself (though it might have worked better if they'd used characters more suited for it), but the pilot they came up with was so monstrously bad- badly written, badly performed, badly costumed! Those things looked like they had been cut out of big foam padding.


I have to object. The humor in the JLA pilot was NOT GIffen humor. Giffen's humor was based on banter, wisecracks, and humorous situations. THe JLA Pilot's humor was based on Flash cleaning the house real fast, and really awkward "Real World' talking to the camera moments.

[Cthulhudrew]

I meant that the developers seemed to be going for the "Wacky Justice League" concept of Giffen, rather than the more traditional serious take, not that they were copying his sense of humor exactly. Didn't mean to offend.

[BoosterBronze]

:
I meant that the developers seemed to be going for the "Wacky Justice League" concept of Giffen, rather than the more traditional serious take, not that they were copying his sense of humor exactly. Didn't mean to offend.:mad: :mad:

Grrrrrr.
I'll let it slide this once!
(angry growl)

[Howard Allan]

I have 3 episodes of the Green Lantern Cartoon right now. Hopefully I can find more. They were real low tech Cartoons and kind of weak but better than nothing. Way better than the old JLA movie everyone is talking about. That was Horrible.

[Michael P]

The series should have an origin story, which would mean Hal by default.

Not really. You can do the "I'm Abin Sur, here's a ring, welcome to the Corps, I die now" bit with Guy, John, Kyle, or pretty much anyone.

Hell, I did it with Mary Jane Watson-Parker, once.

[gking727]

It is indeed a fan film, or rather a fan series. 2nd casting call has gone up and a website has been registered.

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/tlg/255797533.html

http://www.lightofoa.com/

[Jared]

Not really. You can do the "I'm Abin Sur, here's a ring, welcome to the Corps, I die now" bit with Guy, John, Kyle, or pretty much anyone.
.


IIRC, Superman TAS did do that with Kyle. Did JLU ever explain John's origin? I only recall him name-dropping Kyle with Katma Tui once.

[onewhowishes]

Who has any updates on the production progress(or lack of it)on a TV show pilot proposal for"The Corps"-starring in lead roles John Stewart and Katma Tui?

[brainflow1]

I hadn't even heard of this!

[Lex]

Yeah, I don't remember hearing any news or rumors about this at all. The most likely avenue for GL in other media is an expensive, blockbuster movie (which we have heard lots of news and rumors about). A TV show based around the Corps would have to have a giant budget... or be a cartoon.

[Jessica Drew]

Who has any updates on the production progress(or lack of it)on a TV show pilot proposal for"The Corps"-starring in lead roles John Stewart and Katma Tui?

I've read about this, too, but I haven't heard any updates.

[Magneto_X]

It'd work better as a movie franchise. Especially Kyle. His origin is perfect for it! Plus they could go crazy with the FX.

Just make sure it's a serious movie, not a lame comedy skit that Hollywood is obsesed with making it.

[IamtheRock3]

going to be hard to do live action

sense you need a budget for it not to look dumb

sense GL and very outworld concept at time. Hard sale for mainstream audience so you got to make everything look real

[Toreador]

It'd work better as a movie franchise. Especially Kyle. His origin is perfect for it! Plus they could go crazy with the FX.

Just make sure it's a serious movie, not a lame comedy skit that Hollywood is obsesed with making it.

'His origin is perfect'? A little blue guy in a robe suddenly appears in an alley behind a bar floating in mid-air. He spots a 20-something slightly drunk leaning against the wall, says "You'll do." and tosses him a ring and disappears. You call that an origin?

Hal's or Alan's origin are much better and translate better on film.

[Magneto_X]

'His origin is perfect'? A little blue guy in a robe suddenly appears in an alley behind a bar floating in mid-air. He spots a 20-something slightly drunk leaning against the wall, says "You'll do." and tosses him a ring and disappears. You call that an origin?


He's an average guy who accidentally winds up a super-hero because he's in the right place at the right time.

It's perfect.

Kyle is far more relatable to people than Hal or Alan.

But if they went with John Stewart---and kept him as an army guy like in JL:U it would work, as well.

[Sean Whitmore]

I think a great idea for an imaginary TV series (because it'll never happen) would be to have it star Hal, Guy, and John. They're all given rings by different Guardians who have differing opinions about who the best candidate is, and the series follows them as they each grow into their roles in their respective ways.


SEAN

[Magneto_X]

Sean:

That would be great on HBO or Sci-Fi Channel.

[zhivago]

Note that they're altering John's actual history to include themes from Hal's, just like they did for the "Justice League" cartoon. I don't know why, though. He doesn't have to be military to be a hardass, and I always thought him being an architect made for a great explanation for part of his worth as a Green Lantern. He knows how to imagine and build elaborate things. Just like Kyle's draw was being an artist, and being able to imagine and paint creative things.

This has always bothered me as well, I mean some people consider Hal Jordan the least interesting GL and yet every Green Lantern that has ever gotten to other media has his history, personality or villains replaced by Hal's. Stewart (JLU) was never a hardcore marine (at least they didn't make him an air force pilot) he was and still is an architect, Rayner's origin in Superman I won't even mention and Guy Gardner acted more like Hal Jordan in the Justice League movie pilot.