MovieChat Forums > Green Lantern (2011) Discussion > John Stewart "fans" are delusional if th...

John Stewart "fans" are delusional if they think...

posted 9 years ago by watchman19
17 replies | jump to latest

..that the 2011 Green Lantern movie would have been one bit more successful if all they had changed was switching out Hal Jordan for John Stewart as the lead. The problem with that movie was in its execution and lack of build-up, not in the choice to use Hal Jordan.

Hal Jordan is the basis for the entire concept of the Green Lantern Corps, the Guardians of the Universe, Sinestro, etc. Without Hal Jordan there is no Green Lantern as we know it.

Hal Jordan is the classic Green Lantern and a founding member of the Justice League. You don't throw away nearly 60 years of history because a few Millenials have some nostalgic warm and fuzzies over a cartoon they watched as kids that was on the air all of five years, because let's face it, that was John Stewart's claim to fame. John Stewart cannot carry the Green Lantern franchise on his own. Every comic book where he was the lead has been canceled within 40 issues. Every solo John Stewart project has ended in failure.

Now, I don't mind the presence of Stewart in some capacity, but without Hal there is no Green Lantern as we know it.

[–] HetaAnma 9 years ago

Agree on all points. Stewart is a good character (especially as a supporting character). Hal Jordan is a great character and the character that holds up the entire GL universe.

[–] comicman117 9 years ago

Every comic book where he was the lead has been canceled within 40 issues. Every solo John Stewart project has ended in failure.

Actually Mosaic (a book starring John Stewart) wasn't cancelled because of sales failure, it was cancelled because the higher up at DC didn't get the book and it's more psychological and less superheroic approach.

Just mentioning that.

WB is like a snail when it comes to adapting DC properties that aren't Batman or Superman.

[–] Panthro44 9 years ago

Well, I must be delusional, because I prefer John Stewart over Hal Jordan. Like a true Marine and hard charger, Stewart never doubted his role as a green lantern and would never quit and say he isn't good enough to be one. Hal wussed out and threw his ring away, in disgust of his own self.

Then again, what would you expect from an Air Force guy.

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When we're thinking about our own brain, would that be a mental paradox??

[–] watchman19 9 years ago

John Stewart was an architect. The marine thing was a retcon dreamed up by the cartoon, because they knew that Stewart who had been around since the '70s wasn't as interesting as test pilot Hal Jordan.

[–] Panthro44 9 years ago

Why would an architect be considered by the Guardians to be a green lantern? Why would the ring select him?

Why couldn't an architect be a former Marine?

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When we're thinking about our own brain, would that be a mental paradox??

[–] watchman19 9 years ago

The Guardians don't care what your job is as long as the Ring selects you for having the necessary willpower and fearlessness that just comes naturally.

Since the cartoon, the comics have altered Stewart to be just that, a former Marine turned architect, but before that there was never a hint that he had a military background.

[–] Panthro44 9 years ago

That's what I'm saying. Why would the ring be drawn to a guy solely for his architect skills. Adding the Marine part to his background adds legitimacy to his character, and makes him more badass of a Lantern.

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When we're thinking about our own brain, would that be a mental paradox??

[–] Forsaken-El 9 years ago

Diversity is literally the only reason to use Stewart and I would hate it if they place diversity above Hal Jordan who is actually a good character, especially when they have plenty of diversity already in the Justice League lineup:

Gal Gadot - Israeli

Ray Fisher - African American

Jason Momoa - Hawaiian, German, Irish, and North American ancestry/descent

The majority who prefer John Stewart over Hal Jordan, are the one's that paid attention mostly to the JL animated series in 2001-2006, rather than actually picking up and reading a comic book that actually meant something, not relying on a non-canonical cartoon.

[–] Panthro44 9 years ago

Yeah, and...

Superman - White
Batman - White

Just about all and any villain - White

I barely know Hal Jordan as a lantern, in all honesty. Yep, my JL viewing pleasure came in the animated series from the early 2000's. I have the DVDs.

Buying comic books is something that never occupied my existence growing up. Sue me. I personally don't care which GL they pick, but I wouldn't be mad as long as it's a good show.

That's the wonderful thing about the Green Lantern Corps. Literally ANYONE OR ANYTHING can be a Lantern, even a hog or fish...maybe even a raccoon. I mean, it's not like they'd assign anyone else to be Superman or Batman, now would they??!!

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When we're thinking about our own brain, would that be a mental paradox??

[–] HetaAnma 9 years ago

I don't mind Stewart coming along later, but people who say it doesn't matter either way, know and care nothing about the stories in the GL Universe. Deleting Hal would quite literally erase 90% of every popular Lantern story and character in the series. Sinestro's change would have no meaning, Star Sapphire going villain would have no meaning, Hector Hammond would have no meaning, and on and on.

There is a place for all the Lanterns eventually, but it all rests on the very brave shoulders of Hal Jordan.

People who just watched the cartoon can wish for John in the JL universe, but it would cut off future GL movies with any impact.

[–] camorrow 9 years ago

And yet in your above posts you were arguing that Stewart has no legitimacy as a GL if he's just an architect and not a former marine.

[–] dllmb 9 years ago

I think Kyle Rayner is the more movie friendly GL and origin.

Without a cartoon or a movie he was the character that kept the GL franchise afloat with his popularity.

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[–] fettster777 9 years ago

We need Guy to show up in a movie. With his bowl-cut and everything.