Now, some of the creators, writers and artists of the Green Lantern comic books give their thoughts on the CG movie costume:

- Patrick Gleason:

“Looks very cool! But I’ll reserve my final judgment for when I see it in action up on the screen. I did just see one of the interior shots from the EW issue and Renoylds is wearing the brown bomber jacket. That really made me go, ‘Wow, that’s Hal Jordan!”

- Ron Marz:

“It looks like a Green Lantern costume, and it seems pretty cool to me. It undeniably says ‘Green Lantern’ to the uniniated, and that’s what matters, rather than which details are different from the version in the comic. I can’t get caught up in the insanity of judging an entire film on one still photo. The important thing is what this costume looks like on the screen, in motion, not what it looks like Photoshopped onto a magazine cover.”

- Neal Adams:

“I would love to like the costume, and I suppose I like the effort, but it has seemed to me that the advantage of the originating company to control the property would be followed by a desire and a commitment to keep the character as created. Many hands have worked on this character. It seems awfully disrespectful to all those people to allow an outside designer to undo all that work and effort.

Perhaps it will work out for the best. I certainly hope so. Because I am 100% behind the project. But I will say, had I been in charge, I would have seen to it that it bore a far more real resemblance to the original.”

- Beau Smith:

“Every transition from comic book to film has to have a tweak or two. When you are dealing with the creative world, all artists must make their mark. That’s why they are hired. Add to this that the suits/money people will also try and stick their finger in the pie as well. This costume is not that much of a stray from the original comic book version. There is just enough of a change to satisfy the studios that they “updated” the look without offending the core comic book audience.

I think they did very well with the hardest part — the mask. In my opinion, I see nothing that stands out as terrible, causing the villagers to light the torches and head to Hollywood. On my two-year run of writing Guy Gardner, I had the opportunity to write the Hal Jordan character many times. During that time, his costume changed a few time through editorial and the event changes of the time. It looks good and it’s fly.”

Martin Campbell is directing the upcoming adaptation and it stars Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Mark Strong, Peter Sarsgaard, Tim Robbins and Temuera Morrison.

Green Lantern is set to hit theatres on June 17, 2011.

According to the infamous Deadline…
I’ve learned that Mark Ruffalo is now in late-stage discussions between Marvel and his brand-new agency United Talent to play this key member of The Avengers ensemble.

Mark Ruffalo, part time director, producer, and screenwriter, is best known for his roles as Inspector ‘David Toschi’ in the 2007 film Zodiac and US Marshal ‘Chuck Aule’ in Shutter Island. The 42 year old is said to bring something great to the “Bruce Banner” role, like Edward Norton did, but apparently more amiable to work with.

If Ruffalo accepts, hes expected to join Marvel Studios’ big San Diego Comic-Con presentation, bringing Thor, Captain America, and The Avengers cast together. And while there, confirming this new ‘Bruce Banner’, dropping big announcements, and giving Con attendees an inside look into upcoming films.

Also if Mark Ruffalo accepts Marvel’s offer, The Avengers would reunite him with Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), and join Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), and Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow). And additional “Avengers” Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Nathan Fillion (Ant-Man), and Eva Longoria (Wasp) have yet to be announced. With Joss Whedon directing, the film supposedly begins production in Manhattan, February 2011. And Earth Mightiest Heroes unite on the big screen May 4, 2012.
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Minor Update
Now According to The Hollywood Reporter…
Despite a Deadline Hollywood report earlier today suggesting Mark Ruffalo is in the latter stages of taking on the role of the jade giant in Marvel’s “The Avengers,” insiders say the actor is still quite a ways away from taking on the role.

According to sources, Ruffalo does have an offer to play the monstrous hero but not only has he not decided whether he wants the role, he has yet to meet the film’s director, Joss Whedon. Talks are underway for the actor and the director to meet at the end of this week or this weekend.

Director Kenneth Branagh told the L.A. Times that he was initially hesitant to go 3-D on Thor because he felt it was all “math and physics” and way over his head, but he warmed to the idea:

“We came to feel that in our case 3-D could be the very good friend of story and character for a different kind of experience.

“A pretty careful conversation is what we’ve been having for quite some time about what we know has to be the most sensible decision: Is it led by story? Can this offer a different type of experience and exploit what we have in the story? It absolutely can … we travel very long distances in the movie and the opportunity to export and exploit the journey of the hero is really offered up as a great potential enhancement here.”

Thor stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Jaimie Alexander, Ray Stevenson, Rene Russo, Tadanobu Asano, Idris Elba and Sir Anthony Hopkins.

Thor opens May 6, 2011! 

For his part, The First Avenger: Captain America director Joe Johnston said that he still has his doubts about 3-D, though he now considers it “a new challenge” and “exciting”:

“I think [3-D] tends to be overused and can be a little bit gimmicky. A lot of people are using 3-D now because they feel have they have to … that will come and go and the pictures that deserve to be in 3-D will continue to be. When it’s done bad, it can make you carsick.”

The First Avenger: Captain America stars Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan, Hayley Atwell, Dominic Cooper, Neal McDonough and Hugo Weaving.

The First Avenger: Captain America opens July 22, 2011!

The billionaire Super Hero in the iron suit is back in Marvel Studios’ and Paramount Pictures’ thrilling sensation IRON MAN 2, debuting on Blu-ray, DVD, and digital download September 28, 2010. Packed with fantastic battles, stunning visual effects and an all-star cast, the new blockbuster adventure will be available to own as a three-disc Blu-ray/DVD combo pack with digital copy, as a limited edition two-disc DVD with digital copy, or as a single disc DVD. In this highly-anticipated sequel, Robert Downey Jr. (Sherlock Holmes, Tropic Thunder) reprises his role as Tony Stark, a.k.a. Iron Man, in a thrill-a-minute story filled with explosive action, new suits and powerful new villains. The phenomenal cast includes Gwyneth Paltrow (Iron Man), Don Cheadle (Oceans series), Scarlett Johansson (He’s Just Not That Into You) as the seductive Black Widow, Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) as the vengeful Whiplash, as well as Sam Rockwell (Charlie’s Angels) and Samuel L. Jackson (The Other Guys).

* Feature Film
* Digital Copy

IRON MAN 2 Two-Disc DVD

The single-disc DVD includes the feature film with commentary by Jon Favreau.

Check out all the pics from Ain’t It Cool News Here: http://www.aintitcool.com/node/45737

Ok..it seems that there are rumors floating around that Chris Columbus will not be directing the new Superman reboot as was told before, but in fact it may be Jonathan Nolan directing under the executive production of his brother Christopher Nolan of Batman Dark Knight fame.  And with that, another rumor is that Zachery Levi of Chuck fame has auditioned for the role of Clark Kent!  I find this a very interesting turn about and while it is only rumor and speculation at this point, I am getting excited about this project set to be released in December of 2012!

As you have no doubt heard, the great Edward Norton will not reprise his role as Bruce banner for the upcoming Avengers movie.  I am disheartened at this news and it is upsetting that after his performance saved the Hulk franchise, they would dismiss him so easily.  Here is what Feige and Marvel Studios said in their press release:

“We have made the decision to not bring Ed Norton back to portray the title role of Bruce Banner in the Avengers. Our decision is definitely not one based on monetary factors, but instead rooted in the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members. The Avengers demands players who thrive working as part of an ensemble, as evidenced by Robert, Chris H, Chris E, Sam, Scarlett, and all of our talented casts. We are looking to announce a name actor who fulfills these requirements, and is passionate about the iconic role in the coming weeks.”

Norton’s representation Brian Swardstrom followed that with this press release:

“(Feige’s) offensive statement … is a purposefully misleading, inappropriate attempt to paint our client in a negative light. Here are the facts: two months ago, Kevin called me and said he wanted Edward to reprise the role of Bruce Banner in The Avengers. He told me it would be his fantasy to bring Edward on stage with the rest of the cast at ComiCon and make it the event of the convention. When I said that Edward was definitely open to this idea, Kevin was very excited and we agreed that Edward should meet with Joss Whedon to discuss the project. Edward and Joss had a very good meeting at which Edward said he was enthusiastic at the prospect of being a part of the ensemble cast.”

“Marvel subsequently made him a financial offer to be in the film and both sides started negotiating in good faith. This past Wednesday, after several weeks of civil, uncontentious discussions, but before we had come to terms on a deal, a representative from Marvel called to say they had decided to go in another direction with the part. This seemed to us to be a financial decision but, whatever the case, it is completely their prerogative … this is no excuse for Feige’s mean spirited, accusatory comments. Counter to what Kevin implies here, Edward was looking forward to the opportunity to work with Joss and the other actors in the Avengers cast, many of whom are personal friends of his.”

Today Norton himself posted the following on his Facebook page:

As most of you know, I don’t like to talk much about the business of making movies because it means a lot to me to protect the audience’s fullest enjoyment of the ‘magic’ that films can have. But I am so appreciative of the outpouring of support from fans of the Hulk and the Avengers that I feel it would be rude not to respond. So here goes: It seems it won’t work out for me to continue playing Bruce Banner for Marvel in “The Avengers.” I sincerely hoped it could happen and be great for everyone but it hasn’t turned out as we all hoped. I know this is disappointing to many people and that makes me sad. But I am very sincerely grateful to Marvel for extending the offer and even more so for giving me the chance to be a part of the Hulk’s long and excellent history. And I really can’t thank the fans enough for how much enthusiasm you’ve sent me way about what Louis and I tried to do in our turn with the legend. It means a lot to me. I grew up with Banner and Hulk and have been a fan of every incarnation. I’m really proud, and very blessed, to have been one of them and will be thrilled to see him live on through other actors. Hulk is bigger than all of us, that’s why we love him, right?

Sincerely,
Edward Norton

I know that sometimes it is hard for the industry to line everything up how it should be for the fans, but this is a case of absolute ridiculousness!  It is obvious that the creative players involved wanted the film to happen with Norton in this role, but the selfish studio people can’t get it together.  For Marvel Studios to place the blame on Norton saying in so many words that he is not collaborative or creative is chickenshit cop out for them.  Feige and Marvel Studios should be ashamed that it went down this way.  With that said, I wonder who they will get for this legendary character.

During C2E2 convention, MTV talked with the Mike Mignola, the creator of Hellboy. He said that there has been some discussion about the third chapter but nothing official. Also, he talked about working with Guillermo del Toro and which character almost debuted in Hellboy 2:The Golden Army:

-“Del Toro and I are friends and colleagues, and he listens to me — but when we went into the second movie, it became very clear to me that he had taken ownership of these characters. So the second film, to me, is much more of a del Toro picture, as it should be. He made these little changes with the characters in the first film, so the second film, rather than referencing the comic, was a sequel to the first film and dealt with those changes he made to the Hellboy universe.”

-“We did sit down and discuss what the second picture should be, but the third one… Del Toro has said at various times that it’s a trilogy, so you’re wrapping it up with that one.We’ve talked about it, but we talked about it when we were on the first film, and then on the second film, too. It’s just waiting for him to say he wants to make it. The only thing I would be very careful about is that I don’t want to tell him how I’m ending the series,because I don’t want him to do it before I get to it.  Lobster Johnson was mentioned as one of the 200 different things he wants to put in Hellboy 3, actually,there was a day when the discussion involved putting Lobster Johnson into the second Hellboy picture, because the Johann Krauss character turned out to be more expensive to do than anticipated. So, I got a call asking if they could put Lobster Johnson into the picture instead of Johann.”