"It's sort of a second-tier character, in terms of the comic book world," Ryan Reynolds has said on playing the title character (real name: Hal Jordan) in the Green Lantern, which opens this Friday, June 17th. "So this is, in essence, a big introduction to the character and that world."
Blake Lively, who stars as Serena van der Woodsen in the CW's Gossip Girl, plays Carrol Ferris, Jordan's love interest. Lively competed for the role against other actresses including Eva Green, Diane Kruger and Jennifer Garner.
Peter Sarsgaard plays Dr. Hector Hammond, a scientist who discovers a meteor and gains psionic superpowers. "It's eccentricity on top of eccentricity," Sarsgaard said of his character.
Director Martin Campbell with wife Sol E. Romero. "[The Green Lantern is] the only superhero to my knowledge who regularly goes to another planet," said Campbel, who previously helmed James Bond flicks Goldeneye and Casino Royale. "Superman and Batman were essentially locked into a particular city. The Lantern isn't so Earthbound."
Zachary Levi, best known for his roles in television's Chuck and last year's animated hit Tangled, attended the premiere. He is set to appear in Brett Ratner's action/comedy Tower Heist next year.
Donald De Line and Greg Berlanti, who co-wrote the film. At one point, Bertanti was in negotiations to direct. Mark Strong, who plays Jordan's mentor Thaal Sinestro, with wife, TV producer Liza Marshall.
Tim Robbins plays U.S. senator Robert Hammond. Co-star Angela Bassett plays Dr. Amanda Waller, former congressional aide.
Jeff Robinov, President of Warner Bros. Picture Group, with star Ryan Reynolds and Dan Feldman, Warner Bros. Pictures Distribution President.
Blake Griffin, power forward for the Los Angeles Clippers, attended the premiere.
The Green Lantern film has been in development since 1997, when Clerks director Kevin Smith was approached to write a script. After nearly a decade and a half of alternating writers, cast and crew, the Green Lantern was shot in 2010 on a budget of $200 million.