As any fan of the Green Lantern comic series knows, the plots concern the clash between fear and will. And for star Ryan Reynolds (The Proposal), who plays Hal Jo
rdan in the film Green Lantern, there was a great deal of will needed while making the movie because his role of a test pilot turned intergalactic superhero required he overcome his own fear of flying, beginning with his transport to the Lantern home planet of Oa.
A lot of productions would simply use CGI on a soundstage, but to create added realism, the production decided to do the scene in a more natural setting. “We filmed the sequence in downtown New Orleans using cables and a 95-foot crane,” Reynolds says. “They fired me up into the air with a cameraman attached just above me. I think the rate of speed was around 60 feet per second, so it was a real quick ride, maybe three seconds, tops. It was probably the scariest experience of my life, but it was also pretty amazing.”
What makes a superhero so sympathetic to viewers is often the bravery shown by their human nature. As Reynolds observes, “What’s a reason we all love superheroes so much. They’re inspiring and they do these unbelievable things, but in many ways, they’re just like us. … And now, I really get to say, ‘I am Green Lantern.’ Pretty incredible.”
“Green Lantern” is now showing on Video On Demand. Check your cable system for availability.
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© 2011 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. and DC Comics