Posts Tagged ‘John Stewart’

 

*record scratch*

 

Alright, that’s enough. No more.

 

Jessica Cruz WILL NOT be the Green Lantern of the ‘Justice League‘ film. Nor will she be the Green Lantern of the ‘Green Lantern Corps‘ film currently slated for release in 2020.

 

In October of 2014, someone at Newsarama thought it would be fun to speculate about WHICH Green Lantern would feature in the ‘Justice League’ and ‘Green Lantern’ movies of the DC cinematic universe. Their conclusion? That Jessica Cruz is the ideal choice, going so far as to say, “if Vegas were to give us some good odds on who will be the lead movie GL, [our] money wouldn’t be on [Hal, Guy, John, Kyle, or Simon]”.

 

Speculation is all well and good. Editorial pieces, of which I am a personal fan (so long as you present them as such), are fun and thought provoking. And it’s a theory that’s catching on…

 

Latina Entertainment

 

Movie Pilot

 

OmegaUnderground

 

Cinema Blend

 

And now it’s resurfaced yet again with the reveal on Weds March 23rd that Jessica Cruz would be trading in her Power Ring power ring for a REAL Green Lantern power ring in the forthcoming Rebirth initiative from DC Comics.

 

 

…and it’s WRONG.

 

Why? Well, since this all sprung directly from Newsarama, it’s only logical to go point for point with their point by point.

 

1.) She of course is a current Justice League member and again was created by Johns, at exactly the time DCE and Warner Bros. seemed to be assembling their master movie plan and starting production on Dawn of Justice.

 

It sounds like you’re taking the “there’s no such thing as coincidence, it’s all fate” philosophical approach to life a little TOO far. Geoff Johns IS the Chief Creative Officer at DC. Geoff created Jessica Cruz. Geoff is involved with the direction of DC characters OUTSIDE of just the comics. Geoff isn’t THE decision maker though. If he was, ‘Green Lantern‘ wouldn’t have turned out to be the steaming pile it ended up. Perhaps a DIFFERENT steaming pile, but definitely not what we ended up with. All sources put that folly squarely on the Warner Studio muckety mucks. And maybe they’ve learned to loosen their grip and hand it off to their directors vision more (aka Snyder’s more creatively controlled vision we’re currently getting). But as much power and influence as Geoff has rightfully EARNED, he’s not THAT influential.

 

2.) Did we mention Johns created her himself, again, just a short time after already creating another new young Green Lantern character that serves to add diversity to the GL Corps and the Justice Leagues – Simon Baz (he even set Baz up as her mentor just before leaving the Green Lantern comic). It would not be a stretch of the imagination to conclude Jessica was created to fill a specific role Simon does not (we’re getting there in a sec), since Johns could have easily slotted him into the comic book League if he chose.

 

See our response to point 1. Also yes, Johns DID create her and Simon, but you’re forgetting the fact that Johns ADORES the silver age incarnations of characters (IE: Barry and Hal). So he may have created Simon and Jessica, but he’s only spent so much time with them. Prior to that? He spent 5+ years DELIBERATELY building Hal (and the GLC) back into the DCU. So which trumps which?

 

Additionally, you’re assuming the current comics have the same influence on the feature films that they have on the direct to DVD animated features. The last time DC films took a page directly from the current comics, we got the 2011 ‘Green Lantern‘. Granted the material it was ROOTED in was amazing, but the interpretation was obviously off.

 

Then DC went with the “no more old story interpretations in our direct to DVD animated features, only new material”. Which was fine. But have you noticed that decision loosening its grip lately? (the forthcoming ‘Killing Joke’ anyone?) Bottom line? The big screen films draw from more time tested stories and versions of the DCU, not the recent stuff. And have you SEEN the numbers for the comics lately? Even the popular stories? Those numbers, even the best ones, aren’t big enough “proof” to convince a studio to invest their millions of dollars and man hours.

 

3.) Since we can safely assume the movie League line-up is Batman, Superman, The Flash, Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Cyborg, we can conclude the movies are following at least the basic roadmap of the New 52 line-up Johns created.

 

Yes. The BASIC road map. Meaning A GL. But wait. Was GL in BVSDOJ? No? When’s he showing up? Not until probably Justice League 2? (or end of JL 1?) So then what does “Unite the Seven” mean? Let’s count it out. We’ve got: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Cyborg, Aquaman….hmmm, that’s six. And no GL for awhile. Who’s left? Ah yes, the only other person getting a solo movie who HASN’T been mentioned yet… SHAZAM!

 

 

And their last two points together (since they’re essentially making the same point)…

 

4.) Cyborg basically supplanted Martian Manhunter (as well as other potential characters with rich Justice League history like Green Arrow, Hawkman, and the Atom), no doubt in part to inject some youth and technical weaponry into the line-up, but to also provide some yes … diversity.

 

5.) Finally, that seven character League … pardon us for saying so … is/was a bit of a sausage fest.

 

And here we go. The only REAL reason they’re pushing for Jessica in the first place. She’s a female of Latin origin. Gender and race.

 

I won’t lie for the sake of my own argument. It’s completely true. The big two (and others) are definitely pushing for more equal representation in their characters across all media. Equal time given regardless of gender, race, religious background, or sexual orientation. The problem with assuming this will play a large enough role to shove aside the GL boys in favor of Jessica Cruz is that there is no historical precedent for it. Heimdall was interpreted as a black character. But Heimdall isn’t a main character in Thor. Nick Fury was interpreted as a black character. Nick Fury isn’t so popular he offsets the cast of the actual heroes in Avengers. And so on and so forth.

 

As for our main characters? Iron Man? Tony Stark. Cap? Steve Rodgers frozen in ice. Thor? From Asgard. Black Widow? Natasha. Hulk? Bruce Banner. Superman? Clark Kent. Batman? Bruce Wayne. Wonder Woman? Diana Prince. Flash? Barry Allen. Green Arrow? Oliver Queen. Daredevil? Blind Matt Murdock. Supergirl? Kara Danvers. Want me to keep going? Because I can move on to the supporting characters like Patsy Walker, Laurel Lance, Ronnie Raymond, Carter Hall, Ray Palmer, Frank Castle, Electra, Luke Cage, Rip Hunter, and more and more.

 

Heck, even Hulk (the Ang Lee version) didn’t mean Bruce Banner got tossed out with the bathwater because of the toxic reputation of the film. Or ignored all together. They kept the classic interpretation, gave it some breathing room, and kept on.

 

Bottom line? There’s NO EVIDENCE that film makers (in TV or film) believe that equal representation trumps the classic, time tested, and mostly RECOGNIZABLE/marketable versions of main (or supporting) characters.

 

Not to mention the fact that, while studios in charge of superhero films don’t SOLELY cater their interpretations to the comic fan base, making the GL Jessica Cruz would completely and utterly alienate most every current fan of the mythos. And the ones NOT up to date on who she is but had experiences with GL in the past? Would be utterly confused. So while they may not make these films solely for us, we’re a big enough part of the audience that they at least CONSIDER our reaction. And if we’re a big enough group to consider, we’re a big enough group to impact the bottom line in some, even small, way.

 

And that’s it.

 

I’ll agree, WHERE POSSIBLE and still PROFITABLE, DC/Warner is MOST LIKELY to bring diversity in the DC cinematic universe with the Green Lantern characters (think the JL/JLU animated series). But when someone like John Stewart is available, characters like Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz don’t really stand a chance, no matter who created them.

 

I won’t deny it’s possible we might see them in a film (most likely GLC in 2020) but they won’t be the main GL’s. Period. Characters recognizable to both comic fans, and more importantly, the general movie going audience have the highest potential for profitability in both ticket sales AND merchandising. Because despite the push for diversity, studios are still profit driven entities. Jessica Cruz still doesn’t even have an action figure. Or a supporting role in the main Green Lantern title or even the ancillary titles (that could obviously change after Rebirth, though doubtful with a rumored title like ‘Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps’ in the works).

 

It’s going to be Hal Jordan or John Stewart. Or both. But it’s not going to be Jessica Cruz.

 

So thank your lucky stars Vegas doesn’t accept those types of bets.

 

(PS: The news that Jessica Cruz & Simon Baz will be featured heavily in both the Justice League title by Bryan Hitch and the Green Lantern title by Sam Humphries does NOT change these opinions.)

 

March books are upon us! Chad and Mark glide through the Edge of Oblivion before almost drowning in the despair of Telos and Green Lantern.  Luckily, the boys are saved by the warm glow of this month’s Sinestro!  The big question is do both hosts survive their respective rants on sloppy editing and character misuse?   There’s even time for LISTENER FEEDBACK despite the tirades! Be sure to email us or sound off on our voice-mail at 708-LANTERN!

Download the episode HERE!

It’s time for February books! Chad and Mark cover the three monthly Lantern books, with some Telos and Harley Quinn thrown in as a bonus! This episode includes at least two Mark mini-rants, as we build towards his coming complete meltdown in response to Green Lantern #50. Nothing will ever be the same again! All of this and LISTENER FEEDBACK! Be sure to chime in on our voice-mail at 708-LANTERN!

Download the episode HERE!

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Our editing program is giving Chad a run for his money, so, in an effort to provide you with SOME Green Lantern talk, we present to you some “lost” recording from last year! That’s right! Listeners Daoud and DeWayne joined Mark and Chad for the annual Christmas episode that never came to be. But the audio still exists and it’s not just inane rambling! There’s SUBSTANCE to be had! So listen in and we’ll see you next week! Be sure to chime in on our voice-mail at 708-LANTERN!

Download the episode HERE!

Life moves pretty fast around here, and if you don’t stop and listen to us once in awhile, you may miss something. Like a current issue review episode! Mark and Chad turn around and put out YET ANOTHER one! This time covering the 3 Lantern titles from January! All of this and LISTENER FEEDBACK! Be sure to chime in on our voice-mail at 708-LANTERN!

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Mark and Chad return to their microphones to bring you their thoughts on the November Lantern related titles! How many people does it take to put Black Hand back together again? What the hell is a Light God? Of all people, WHY Wonder Woman? These are the questions we…well, answer is the wrong word. Anyway, all of this and LISTENER FEEDBACK!! (some of it from GIRLS!) So LISTEN IN! Be sure to chime in on our voice-mail at 708-LANTERN!

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It’s an all star lineup as fellow podcasters (and fellow Lantern fans) Myron Rumsey and Corwin Crowl join Mark and Chad to talk about the current state of the Green Lantern Universe! Where are we now? Where are we headed? Where do we want to end up? These are the questions driving the discussion and these four panelists are among the best equipped on the internet to lead the conversation! Enjoy! Be sure to chime in on our voice-mail at 708-LANTERN!

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Today DC Comics released on their DC Entertainment Youtube page a video featuring a scroll of various Lanterns to appear in comics since 1940. The video scrolls through multiple incarnations of Green Lantern since his first appearance in ‘All-American Comics’ #16 at the hands of the amazing Martin Nodell and Bill Finger. Included in the scroll are Alan, Hal, John, Guy, Kyle and more! Notable in the scroll is Kyle as Ion in the ‘Power of Ion’ story (YESSS!!!) and Alan as Sentinel, Jade, Mosaic John Stewart, Elseworlds Lanterns and a heckuvalot more all set to an epic sounding background track.

 

Now how about that 75th Anniversary Animated Short DC? I mean, Superman and Batman got one…it’s surely OUR turn right? RIGHT?

 

It’s time for yet another current issue review episode! As we go through the October Lantern titles: Sinestro is a cocky jerk, Hal has a penultimate-but-not-really showdown with Black Hand, Lanterns stuck in another universe…well, remain stuck there, the Enterprise is besieged by Lanterns, and Lobo kills people but it doesn’t stick! All of this and LISTENER FEEDBACK, including a peek behind the scenes of the making of the LanternCast! Be sure to chime in on our voice-mail at 708-LANTERN!

Download the episode HERE!

Finally, after years of waiting, Mark and Chad delve into the epic storyline from the Kyle Rayner series known as ‘The Power of Ion’! Join the guys as Judd Winick grants Kyle Rayner the powers of a God and shows us exactly why Kyle is a true hero. Featuring appearances by John Stewart, the Spectre, Parallax, Alan Scott, Jade, Terry Berg, Merayn, and a WHOLE LOT of Green Lantern history recaps! It’s one you WON’T WANT TO MISS! Be sure to chime in on our voice-mail at 708-LANTERN!

Download the episode HERE!