Ryan Reynolds has been a beloved actor in Hollywood for years, known for his charming wit, handsome looks, and incredible acting chops. In 2011, Reynolds was given the opportunity of a lifetime when he was cast as the lead in Warner Bros.’ highly-anticipated superhero flick, Green Lantern.
The film had been eagerly anticipated by fans for years, with DC Comics fans in particular eager to finally see their beloved hero brought to life on the big screen. Reynolds, too, was thrilled to take on the role, and put in countless hours of work to prepare for the part.
Unfortunately, from the very first screenings of Green Lantern, it was clear that the film was in trouble. Fans and critics alike were left disappointed by the lackluster story, poor special effects, and Reynolds’ performance as the titular hero. The film was a critical and commercial failure, grossing just $219.8 million worldwide against a budget of $200 million.
Despite the negative reception, Reynolds has always been open and honest about his experience working on the film. In a recent interview with Variety, the actor shared his horrified response to seeing Green Lantern for the first time, admitting that he knew the movie was going to be a flop from the very beginning.
“When you’re making a movie like that, it’s a bit of a crapshoot,” Reynolds told Variety. “You have all these different people with all these different ideas and opinions, and you’re trying to make this cohesive thing. Unfortunately with Green Lantern, I don’t think anyone really knew what it was going to be.”
Reynolds went on to describe the experience of seeing the finished product as “jarring,” admitting that he was “pretty gutted” by what he saw.
“It was a tough thing to watch, because the people involved were all really talented,” Reynolds said. “We had a great cast, a great director, and a great crew, but for whatever reason, it just didn’t come together the way we had all hoped it would.”
Despite the disappointment, Reynolds has always been quick to poke fun at his role in Green Lantern. In fact, he’s often used the film as fodder for his hilarious social media posts and interviews, making light of the whole situation and proving that he doesn’t take himself too seriously.
Earlier this year, in honor of the film’s tenth anniversary, Reynolds posted a hilarious video on Instagram in which he watches Green Lantern for the first time since its release. In the video, Reynolds dons a Green Lantern shirt and sarcastically praises the film’s “groundbreaking” special effects before admitting that he “more or less blacked out” during the original screening.
“I’ve seen this movie once before,” Reynolds says in the video. “I was there for the premiere, and then I think I saw it one other time. And the thing that really bothered me most about it was just how much of my own face was covered up by a Green Lantern mask.”
Reynolds went on to joke about the film’s infamous villain, Parallax, likening the character’s design to that of a “turd in space.”
Despite the obvious disappointment surrounding Green Lantern, Reynolds has emerged from the experience a stronger and more successful actor. He’s gone on to star in a plethora of successful films over the years, including the hit Deadpool franchise, and has become one of the most well-respected and beloved actors in Hollywood.
In the end, Reynolds’ response to seeing Green Lantern for the first time was certainly justified. But it’s a testament to the actor’s humor, resilience, and undeniable talent that he was able to take the experience in stride and come out on top.