Ryan Reynolds has been synonymous with Deadpool since the first film was released in 2016, but before playing the Merc With a Mouth we know and love, the actor played another comic book hero.
Ryan Reynolds’ First Superhero Role
In 2011, Reynolds starred as Hal Jordan in Green Lantern, the DC Comics adaptation directed by Martin Campbell. The film struggled both critically and commercially. It was panned by audiences and critics and earned only $220 million worldwide against a reported $200 million budget.
Plans for a sequel were quickly scrapped, and Reynolds never returned to the role.
The Success of Deadpool
A few years later, the actor found far greater success in another superhero project.
Reynolds reinvented Wade Wilson in Deadpool (2016), directed by Tim Miller. The R-rated Marvel adaptation became a major hit, grossing $782.6 million worldwide. Its sequel, Deadpool 2 (2018), earned $785.9 million globally, while Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) brought the character into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, alongside Hugh Jackman’s Logan, and grossed $1.338 billion.
But while Reynolds’ career as Deadpool flourished, DC quietly moved on from his version of Hal Jordan.
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Ryan Reynolds Has Been Replaced
Now the character is returning in HBO’s upcoming series Lanterns. The show stars Kyle Chandler as Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, two members of the Green Lantern Corps investigating a mystery on Earth.
The first trailer for the series was released last week and immediately sparked conversation among fans. Some viewers are surprised at its grounded tone, which is more comparable to crime dramas such as True Detective, while others have focused on the costumes, noting that the Lantern suits appear more “muted” and “olive” than the bright green traditionally associated with the characters.
The series is part of the new DC Universe overseen by James Gunn and Peter Safran. The franchise began with Superman (2025), with additional projects—including Supergirl (2026) and Clayface (2026)—already scheduled to hit theaters later this year.
For Reynolds, the Green Lantern chapter of his career remains a footnote compared to the success of Deadpool. For DC Studios, however, Lanterns represents an opportunity to give Hal Jordan a new beginning—with Kyle Chandler now taking over the role in live action.
Whether he will reprise his role as Wade Wilson/Deadpool remains to be seen. He previously suggested that he has no plans to return to the role anytime soon; however, rumors he will appear in Avengers: Doomsday (2026) later this year continue to circulate.
Meanwhile, Deadpool and Deadpool 2 actor T.J. Miller recently told 101 WRIF Detroit that he’s spoken with Reynolds about the character’s future, saying that the Wade Wilson actor has a “really good” idea for the next film in the series.
Lanterns will stream later this year.
Would you like to see Ryan Reynolds return as Deadpool? And do you think he could breathe new life into Hal Jordan in the same way? Let us know in the comments below!
