There are many reasons why the Ryan Reynolds Green Lantern movie flopped at the box office and became one of the biggest bombs of all time. Warner Bros. and DC Comics spent over two decades trying to adapt the Green Lantern comics into a movie, eventually planning to make a more comedic superhero film starring Jack Black. However, the success of Iron Man and the beginnings of the Marvel Cinematic Universe changed those plans, and Warner Bros hoped a more dramatic Green Lantern film might kickstart a DC Universe.
On paper, the 2011 Green Lantern movie seemed like a surefire hit. Superhero movies were in vogue, with Thor and Captain America releasing that same summer. The film also boasted an impressive ensemble, with talented actors like Mark Strong, Angela Bassett, Temuera Morrison, Michael Clarke Duncan, and Geoffrey Rush, among others. Unfortunately, the movie failed to win over audiences, scrapping plans for a Green Lantern sequel and delaying the start of the DC Cinematic Universe until the release of Man of Steel. Yet the question remains, just why did Green Lantern bomb so badly?
6 Ryan Reynolds Wasn't An Action Star When Green Lantern Came Out 
While Ryan Reynolds is best known today for playing smart-mouthed action heroes, he was better known for his comedic work when Green Lantern was released. Reynolds had tried to avoid being stereotyped by taking smaller action-oriented roles like Hannibal King in Blade: Trinity and Wade Wilson in Wolverine: Origins but was still most recognized for his work in romantic comedies like Just Friends and dramas like Fireflies in the Garden. While Reynolds was a fine choice for the role of test pilot Hal Jordan, some may have had trouble believing that the star of the National Lampoon's Van Wilder franchise could be a convincing superhero.
