While superhero movies are everywhere, there are certain blockbusters that stand out among the rest. One of these is the Deadpool franchise, which has challenged what the genre is capable of, and how much money could be made from an R-Rated comic book flick. And after years of patiently waiting, the Merc with the Mouth returned to the silver screen with Deadpool 2 just last month. The sequel delivered tons of laughs and shocking humor, but none was quite as outrageous as the film's post-credits scene. Traveling back through time, Deadpool finds Ryan Reynolds right before he was going to sign the contract for the ill-fated Green Lantern movie, and puts him out of his misery with a bullet to the head. It was savage and hilarious, and now Green Lantern writer Marc Guggenheim has finally responded to the joke, after seeing the movie in theaters.
Looks like Marc Guggenheim was able to take the jokes in stride, and laugh off Ryan Reynolds throwing serious shade at the Green Lantern movie. Since that flick came out back in 2011, everyone seems to have spent enough time mourning what could have been, and therefore are able to poke fun at the critically panned superhero film.
Before shared universes had become en vogue, DC Studios and Warner Bros. brought the Green Lantern to the silver screen for the first time. Ryan Reynolds starred as pilot turned hero Hal Jordan, and other classic DC characters were included like Sinestro and Amanda Waller. While it seemed to set up a sequel, the film barely recouped its investment at the box office, and was a critical failure.
Of course, there was one good thing about Ryan Reynolds' involvement in Green Lantern: it's how he met future wife Blake Lively. Lively starred as romantic interest Carol Ferris, and the two began dating while working together on set. So while Reynolds was ultimately meant for greater superheroic journeys, he can't be that mad about his role in the flop considering how his life turned out.
Part of what makes the Deadpool franchise resonate so closely with the fans is how it's constantly cross referencing and poking fun at the comic book genre. Deadpool 2 certainly delivered this in spades, making jokes at the DC Extended Universe, X-Men franchise, and Marvel Cinematic Universe throughout the course of its runtime. Considering Reynolds' past in the genre, fans are especially eager to see him poke fun at Green Lantern. He delivered just that, and the Deadpool 2 post credits scene is considered one of the sequel's strongest.
Deadpool 2 is in theaters now, complete with that fantastic Green Lantern gag. Be sure to check out our 2018 release list to plan your next trip to the movies.
