Ryan Reynolds Explains Why Deadpool Worked

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Ryan Reynolds Explains Why Deadpool Worked - and Green Lantern Didn't

By Meagan Damore

Published Dec 16, 2016

Reynolds, who starred as the lead in both Deadpool and Green Lantern, reveals the reason why he believes one worked and the other didn't.

When it comes to comics, Ryan Reynolds knows a thing or two. The "Van Wilder" star has famously played beloved characters from both Marvel and DC franchises: Deadpool and Green Lantern, respectively. However, there was a stark difference between his roles, in that he was critically acclaimed for one and not the other. Where "Deadpool" cinched 90% positive reviews on reviews aggregate RottenTomatoes, "Green Lantern" languished with a mere 26%. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, Reynolds explained what "Deadpool" did right -- and what, exactly, "Green Lantern" got wrong.

“Well, it’s simple: 'Deadpool' always knew what it was,” Reynolds explained. “With 'Green Lantern,' I don’t think anyone ever figured out exactly what it was. That isn’t to say the hundreds of men and women didn’t work their fingers to the bone to make it as good as possible. It also fell victim to the process in Hollwyood, which is like poster first, release date second, script last. At the time, it was a huge opportunity for me so I was excited to try and take part in it. I did however write a letter to Fox right before I had to decide whether or not I was gonna do 'Green Lantern.' I asked one last time sort of like the groom standing at the alter, ‘Will you please be my wife?’ and they said they couldn’t pull the trigger on 'Deadpool.' For too many reasons too boring to illustrate, it just didn’t work.”

When it released back in 2011, "Green Lantern" managed to make $220 million worldwide -- just over its reported budget of $200 million. On the other hand, "Deadpool" grossed $363 million on a reported budget of $58 million. In fact, "Deadpool" -- which released earlier this year -- has been nominated for two Golden Globe awards: Best Picture, Comedy or Musical and Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy. This is rare for a genre film and stands testament to the quality of the film in the eyes of the general public. "Green Lantern" received no sequel film and has not yet appeared in Warner Bros.' DC Extended Universe.

Reynolds will next appear in "Deadpool 2," which is currently in development at Fox. Though the film does not yet have an official release date, it is expected to arrive in theaters sometime in 2018 with “John Wick” co-director David Leitch behind the camera.