There’s been tons of speculation around the cast of Green Lantern, particularly the role of the film’s villain, Sinestro. Even after Jackie Earle Haley debunked rumors that he was chosen to play the man in yellow, his name was continuously thrown back in the mix. Well, speculate no more because MTV got the goods from the man in charge himself, director Martin Campbell.
While promoting his new thriller Edge of Darkness, Campbell squashed Haley rumors completely. In fact, he revealed the actor they’re actually courting for the role, “we're in negotiations with Mark Strong to play Sinestro.”
Haley would have been great for the role, but have you seen Sherlock Holmes and The Young Victoria? Strong makes an excellent villain and guess what? Campbell agrees. “He's not only a wonderful actor, but he looks like Sinestro." Campbell added, "If you look up old pictures of Sinestro, he's very like him. The Jackie Earle Haley thing, somebody told me about it this morning; I had never heard it before in my life."
Strong has been around for quite some time, but it appears his career is going into superstar overdrive. He’s got roles in highly anticipated, star-studded films including Kick-Ass, Robin Hood and John Carter of Mars. Keep your fingers crossed that he can solidify this deal and add Green Lantern to that list.
As we’ve known for quite a while, the role of Hal Jordan belongs to Ryan Reynolds. Just a week ago it was announced that Blake Lively will be playing Carol Ferris. Peter Sarsgaard is in a similar situation as Strong and is in the midst of negotiations to play the film’s other villain, Dr. Hector Hammond.
Campbell also announced that we’ll see Kilowog, Tomar-Re and Abin Sur in the film. A casting call posted back in September informed us of Abin Sur’s involvement, but Kilowog and Tomar-Re are new developments. Kilowog is pig-like alien and Tomar-Re a creature resembling a bird. Both are members of the Green Lantern Corps.
