Idris Elba Wants To Play Green Lantern In Justice League

The only reason I get frustrated enough to use affixing labels Bane is because the John Stewart fans on here act as if they're part of an elite clique looking down on the rest of us non John Stewart fans and say "F*** everyone else's opinion, John's the best Green Lantern ever and is perfect for the Justice League film and if you disagree, you're a biased hater." Please try and tell me that attitude hasn't been displayed in a holier than thou context by some of the John Stewart fans on here.

I want a hispanic Kyle Rayner.

The venom in this thread on both sides of this debate is killing me.

I don't want Idris Elba as John Stewart, primarily because it's a complete waste of his talent. The character simply doesn't have a whole lot to offer him; the only reason people have been floating his name for years is because he's a popular black actor. If anything, Elba should definitely be John Constantine in a movie or TV show. That is the kind of role he was born to play, and his work on Luther would support that.

@citizenbane: Ugh, no. Just no. If you know anything about John Stewart, it's that he has plenty in common with Stacker Penetcost, Luther, and Charles Miner. There is a reason there has been so much fanart of Idris in the role for the last 5 years, and it is not because he is black.

He has virtually nothing in common with those names beyond generic heroic traits that could be ascribed to a wide range of characters. Luther was a morally ambiguous cop whose significant other was a cold-blooded psychopath. He was the kind of guy who'd hold murder suspects over a balcony from five floors up and threaten to drop them if they didn't talk, all while his partner was hyperventilating in shock at the sight. That's Batman, not John Stewart. On two occasions he actually helped murderers get away with it because he didn't believe they should be punished for what they did, even if any rational person would have disagreed (for at least one of the two murderers in question). John Stewart is nothing like that. Stacker Pentecost and Charles Miner are minor characters with limited screen time who have never had much room for character development that made them particularly distinct. The only things Stacker, Luther and John Stewart have in common are commitments to "justice", "freedom", "heroism" and a bunch of other traits that they have in common because they're the heroes, and those are traits literally thousands of other fictional characters also share with them.

@citizenbane: Again, you're totally wrong.

John Stewart as Luther--Many Stories In Green Lantern Mosaic (specifically the ones related to "The Red")

John Stewart as Stacker Pencost--Current GLC run under Van Jensen, who drew direct comparisons himself.

John Stewart as Charles Miner--Several episodes of JLU, and the Neal Adams version.

John Stewart as Roque--Several episodes of JLU.

@captain13: Um you kinda need evidence to support your points. Like interviews of Van Jensen comparing John to this Pencost guy, citing instances of John acting like Luther (which I'd be very interested to see since it would undermine John as a heroic character if he acts like a morally ambiguous cop) and JLU episodes where John is similar to Charles Miner. Cause currently, your case is running very thin without anything to back it up.

Have you actually watched Luther? Like, any of it? You really could not find another contemporary television character more far removed from John Stewart without being a villain if you tried. There is no part of Mosaic that is comparable to the moral dynamics in Luther.

The "direct comparisons" he drew were pictures of John creating Jaeger-esque constructs to fight Relic, and then slipping in a joke about John "sneaking a trip back to Earth to watch Pacific Rim". You're right, that is totally an endorsement of Idris Elba for John Stewart. Good grief.

What even.

Continue telling me how I'm totally wrong. Wanting an actor to play a character is totally understandable, whether he's right for the role or not --- wanting to convince people that he's perfect for the role so much that you draw upon his previous roles and make inferences that aren't actually there is just a little miserable.

@lvenger: Why do you think I am here to prove **** to you? Nothing before I've said can convince you. Why should I waste my time? I am officially ignoring all of your posts. Go read Mosaic if you don't believe me. Do your own homework.

@captain13: It was more to convince Bane's argument than myself but whatever, thanks for proving me right about how John Stewart fans act and disrespecting Bane's post earlier in the thread. I'll leave you to your imagined fantasy of a thread.

@citizenbane: Ugh, no Van Jensen did on Tumblr and in the crossover you talked about. Go to John's respect thread.

You haven't read Mosaic when John Dealt with the Red inside--which is what Luther Dealt with in his first season, the one I watched.

Keep failing. Or do your homework yourself. I'm just going to ignore your posts as well because you're actively trying not to see the comparisons, which are easy to see. And to think Elba can't play this character when pretty much everyone else says he is perfect and have saying so for years---Fail, haha.

I'm done with you.

I heard about this on Spill.com, lol. Seeing this on CV made me want to create an account just so I can say:

Idris Elba + John Stewart = perfect casting. =D

I've been praying for this forever, and now its one step closer, haha! WOOOOT! Glad people posted my GL fanart, which is one of many

https://www.google.com/search?q=idris+elba+as+green+lantern&newwindow=1&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=vpKUUpbVBLWgsASAuICQCw&ved=0CAkQ_AUoAQ&biw=1125&bih=741

The page I've found with the best comments:

http://www.themarysue.com/idris-elba-green-lantern/

This one? Where exactly are the comparisons you're talking about that are different from the one I pointed out?

The majority of Luther's character development took place in the second and third seasons of the show, when he got tangled up with a gangster whose snuff porn shoot he interrupted, and when he was under investigation by Internal Affairs. Which makes it nice to see your opinions are fully informed. Also, I have read every single issue of Mosaic, and no part of it was similar to the character development contained in the first season of Luther, barring the most superficial definitions of similarity.

I'm pretty sure the issue here is that you haven't done your homework. I've read about 90% of all of John Stewart's appearances, I've watched every episode of Luther, JLU and The Office. I don't need to do my homework. "Keep failing" is a nice, dismissive way to avoid having to deal with the fact that your arguments will crumble if you nudge them too hard. Yes, it's also immature and condescending, but that's the internet for you; what's marginally more interesting is that condescension usually comes from people who have something to condescend about. Right now, that's not you.

Your words are like a billion daggers in my heart. Somehow, somehow, I will try to trudge on.

And for the record, I'm not saying Elba can't play this character: he certainly could, it would be a walk in the park after some of the stuff he's done. I'm saying if he did, it would be a waste of his talent. He needs an actual character, and his repertoire is perfect for someone like John Constantine.

Also, it's cool so many people are into this. Now it has to happen, WB!

It's interesting now that Elba has expressed interest in playing John Stewart, some people are now wanting him to play White characters he bears no physical resemblance to instead, like Constantine and... Hal Jordan? Anything to stop John Stewart from appearing, I suppose :p

It's getting a little desperate. John Stewart has plenty to offer Idris Elba. Elba is so multifaceted that he can take that role and shoot to the stars with it. And with how damaged the GL franchise is in the mainstream after the Hal Jordan debacle, it's going to take someone with his ability, following, and credit to make the Green Lantern name credible.

Yup, pretty much. The only reason anyone could have for wanting Elba to play Constantine is a desperate need to end the John Stewart wave before it sweeps over us all. You got me.

Setting aside the fact that I've never heard of anyone wanting Elba to play Hal Jordan, the whole point of nominating Elba for Constantine is that Con-Job's a character that doesn't require physical resemblance. He's white and blond because his creators thought it would be cool if he looked like Sting. His race has never really been significant to the character; what has been important is his working-class Liverpool upbringing. Constantine doesn't need to be white or blond. He just needs to be British, and Elba's got that covered. He also has a talent for playing morally ambiguous recluses in trench coats; hence why he'd be perfect for the role.

Why are people fighting? Either you're in or you're not, and most people seem to be in. :D Why waste your time trying to convert Muslims into Christians or vice versa? There will always be trolls about casting choices like Heath Ledger, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston, etc. These people always hush up once they see the actor in the role. And clearly Elba would rock this--and not because he's black. Wow, that is some racist thinking...

There is so much support for this on so many sites--even on this thread despite the naysayers! That and this news have made my day! Thank you, baby Jesus!

Love and peace,

BGY11

Why don't you just use your main account instead of creating a sock to cheerlead your opinion after angrily declaring you were "done" with us?

Scratch that ---- I see why now. The sock account lets you insinuate people who disagree with this casting must be doing so out of racism --- a claim so outrageous you wouldn't dare make it on your main. Cowardice 101.

This is my only account. I can't comment on things because I'm new? Usually people are welcoming on the other sites I've joined... Regretting joining comicvine already. Thanks, man. I guess you and Lvenger are the same person and this is a two person thread... I'm going back to Spill.

I hope you let go of some of that anger and paranoia. God bless. Leavin the library, and off to class! Have a great day!

I don't think it's so much about the casting choice as it is Hal Jordan fans being in a panic about having their hero not appear in the DC Cinematic Universe.

You realize I can see your IP address and every account associated with it, right? Would you like me to show you the screen where it displays your most recent alt accounts, including Captain13, Superdork and jamessmarion?

I hope you let go some of the cowardice that drove you to make this account just to claim people who disagreed with you must be racists. The faux-persecution is a cute touch, though.

@desh: yup. looking for any excuse to get mad. kinda sad. and looking desperate, haha. love your site btw.

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Thanks! That's really uplifting to hear. Speaking of which, here are my thoughts on this news, which I posted on my site:

http://greenlantern.co/idris-elba-wants-to-play-green-lantern-john-stewart-in-future-movies/

I'm sure that article will cause some Hal Jordan fans to flip their sh*t, but eh. I don't really care. It won't be the first time :p

Well I just hope they pull it off if ever.

@desh: I wasn't being sarcastic and I already said I don't read GL Corps,it's WOAT.

You really should stop sounding so naive. Elba is saying yes to a role that has never been asked for, and no one is asking for. He doesn't even look like he knows who John Stewart is.

Not to mention that the fact this news is already blowing over, and no one cares anymore. CIN.

@citizenbane: say what? They're the same person?!?

@avenging_x_bolt: Quite the twist, eh?

Who is?

This is actually a great point that doesn't get brought up enough.

The fact of the matter is, for most Superheroes race is irrelevant to the character.

People might not like it, because there is no reason why Superman has to be white. Or Aquaman. Or Batman. Or Flash. Or anyone on the Justice League founding roster.

I can't think of one of them that skin color is a defining characteristic. Some of them are even alien like Superman. Or metahuman like Aquaman. And Martian Manhunter can shape shift for crying out loud - there's no reason he even has to be portrayed by a male actor. (although having a male shapeshifting into a female, might not fit DC's tone lol)

End of the day, for me personally. Hal Jordan is the founding member of the JL. He's who I want in the JL film. What his skin color is however, is pretty much completely irrelevant.

@tommyjones1945: Bigguy11 could be the same person as one of the people in this thread.

But back on topic, as much as I would love seeing Idris Elba play John Stewart on the big screen, I'd be okay with Hal Jordan making the cut (as long as he's done right this time around).

Thanks.

: @black_claw: tell me about it.....

I root for John Stewart played by Idris Elba.

Hal Jordan already got his chance. Too bad GL movie bombed.

Sigh I wanted WW and Supes to be together but it is already shown to be Clois.

So Guy and Kyle get a turn too,right?

Well, yes and no; race isn't important to most superheroes in-universe, but there can be other considerations that are important determining factors. For Superman, there's the fact that the Reeve portrayal was so iconic that it's come to define the character's look for decades to come. Think of Superman's face and you think of Christopher Reeve; think of Christopher Reeve and you think of Superman. Actors are cast as the Man of Steel on the basis of whether or not they've got "the Superman look" (although there are obviously other factors --- but this is a pretty big one, more so than for any other character). So there's a certain visual element that people automatically associate with Superman, and him being white is, for better or worse, part of that.

As for Batman, there's no "Bruce Wayne look" that's anywhere near as iconic as Reeve's Superman countenance, and although there is a plausible in-universe explanation for why Batman would have to be white (the Waynes were one of five families who built the city of Gotham during a time when that kind of economic power was the preserve of white peope), it's not a very rigid explanation or one that can't be altered for the cinematic version. Black Batman is easier to negotiate than black Superman. As for the rest, yeah, there's no particular reason they can't be a different race, none of them are so iconic that the larger audience has a definite picture in their head of what they look like.

@citizenbane: For me personally, I still think you very well could have some not-white person play Superman. Just because its not what you're used to, doesn't mean you can't do it.

Maybe it wouldn't be a good idea, but there isn't anything saying he has to be white. That's the point I was making.

I prefer Hal being in the first Justice League movie but if Idris Elba is casted as John this would be the only exception for me about John being in the first movie.

Black Aquaman would just about be the most awesome thing ever.

@fallschirmjager: If this is the case Aisha Tyler should play Wonder Woman.

if they are going for an Amazon origin story, it wouldn't make sense for Wonder Woman to be white, actually. Or even demigod origin story, would logically have her of Greek descent

I don't really know who that is though and if she would be a good fit.

I kind of like Morena Baccarin in the role.

I think it's a good idea, I think people need a break from Hal Jordan after the Green Lantern didn't do so well critically or commercially and enough people like JS so he could actually be the main GL in Justice League.

But I don't want John Stewart to remain the primary Green Lantern in the series of films, he's just not as interesting as Hal Jordan to me. They could reintroduce Hal Jordan as Parallax and give him a redemption like Rebirth. Then he could become the primary GL in a GL series of films with Stewart still involved. That's the way I'd like them to do it.

@silverpool: No, that would mindf@!k the GA.

@silverpool: I actually think that's a cool idea. But I think it's unlikely that John will be in any movies since it's said that Geoff Johns is a consultant for the film.

I think it could be done if it's over a series of multiple films, starting with Justice League. It doesn't mean I think it will happen (mainly because of that), but that's how I would like it to be done because I like Hal Jordan but I do think Stewart needs the spotlight for a while.