Bradley Cooper Bummed About Losing Green Lantern Role

The Hangover's Bradley Cooper was rumored to be up for the part until Ryan Reynolds nabbed the role of the Emerald Knight!

Actor Bradley Cooper was recently asked about losing out to Ryan Reynolds in his bid to play Hal Jordan/Green Lantern in the live-action movie that is currently in development and Cooper said:

"It was more of an ego hurt than any sort of artistic one."

Cooper said that he was told the news while on location in Afghanistan where he was visiting troops as part of a USO tour. Cooper said:

"It's surreal being in a forward-operating base in Afghanistan and having a Marine coming up to you and him going, 'Hey, man. Sorry you didn't get Green Lantern.'"

Brent Sprecher
8/21/2009
USA Weekend

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121 Comments

	Maybe Cooper could be Flash... TonyDark - 8/21/2009, 6:27 PM
	@Tony: Yeah, they could swap roles. I didn't like Cooper until The Hangover. He might have been good. He seems cocky, like Hal in the early years. NataliaRomanov - 8/21/2009, 6:29 PM
	He'll make a good Flash. TonyDark - 8/21/2009, 6:31 PM
	BRADS GUY GARDNER FFS!!! ; D GEEZUZ! LEEE777 - 8/21/2009, 6:31 PM
	@Tony: Why, is he a little ADD? ;P @LEEE777: What does "FFS" mean? Is that "for f--- sake" by any chance? NataliaRomanov - 8/21/2009, 6:32 PM
	I thought he would be a good GL he was my favorite of the people up for it before Ryan Renolds got it. HE would be a good Flash though. BatmanKnight - 8/21/2009, 6:33 PM
	lol, maybe... TonyDark - 8/21/2009, 6:33 PM
	NAT @ Yeahhhhh!!!! ; D LEEE777 - 8/21/2009, 6:34 PM
	@Tony: Do you watch True Blood? You look a little like Eggs in your avatar. NataliaRomanov - 8/21/2009, 6:34 PM
	@Natalia - True Blood is one of my favorite shows. Lol, is it because I'm semi-bald? TonyDark - 8/21/2009, 6:37 PM
	TRUE BLOOD! Man ive just started watching that coz everyone on here said good things about it, only seen six eps but friigin' good an yeah TONY ya do a bit! NAT @ and NO NAKED GUYS ZONE! Heh heh. LEEE777 - 8/21/2009, 6:37 PM
	I looooove True Blood!!! Now those are vampires! I may be the "target audience" for Twilight (20-yr-old female), but those vamps are pussies! True Blood has evil, gorgeous vampires! @LEEE: Grrls need i-candy too! And, he's not naked. You guys post booby girls on here c-o-n-s-t-a-n-t-l-y! Well, I like those too, so... NataliaRomanov - 8/21/2009, 6:39 PM
	True Blood kicks ass!! TonyDark - 8/21/2009, 6:40 PM
	I hated Bradley Cooper before he played Phil in The Hangover. That movie rocked! I haven't laughed that hard in a long time. Oh, and True Blood rocks! Eric for Thor! Bijous - 8/21/2009, 6:42 PM
	NAT @ Ive never posted a b00bie picture??? Heh heh ; D BIJOUS @ Me too till i saw HANGOVER as well!!! LEEE777 - 8/21/2009, 6:43 PM
	Ugh, they both suck for Hal. He needs to be an ass-kicking shit-talker to stand up to Kilowog and those lil' blue bastards! Gerard Butler should be Green Lantern. And, not The Ugly Truth Gerard, the 300 Gerard! Dr. Donald Draper - 8/21/2009, 6:46 PM
	@ Bijous - Thor was cast months ago. The guy who plays Eric on TB would have made a great Thor though. TonyDark - 8/21/2009, 6:46 PM
	@DrDonDraper: There's another guy on her that's DDD...is that you? I disagree Dr. Don. Hal Jordan needs to be a cool tough guy, like James Bond, not like Leonidas. NataliaRomanov - 8/21/2009, 6:47 PM
	@Nat: Nope, not me! James Bond...eh. Dr. Donald Draper - 8/21/2009, 6:48 PM
	@ Dr. Donald Draper- Don't be surprised when you're proven wrong just like all the people who thought RBJ wouldn't make a good Tony Stark and that Heath would be a horrible Joker. TonyDark - 8/21/2009, 6:49 PM
	@TonyD: Yeah, I know. And, I didn't even like Eric (Skarsgard?) when they were mentioning him for Thor, but after watching this last season, where he's a Viking...yeah, I can see it. Bijous - 8/21/2009, 6:50 PM
	@ Bijous- I just thought he wasn't built enough for the role. TonyDark - 8/21/2009, 6:51 PM
	@Tony/DrDon: I think Ryan's going to surprise everyone! He's always good when he's a one-man show, which GL should be IMO. NataliaRomanov - 8/21/2009, 6:51 PM
	@Tony: Yeah, great point. I will be the first to admit that I groaned when they announced Michael Keaton for Batman and was proven wrong. Then, I groaned again when Heath "We Will Rock You" Ledger was cast as the Joker and I was proven wrong again. Now, I reserve judgment. Brent Sprecher - 8/21/2009, 6:52 PM
	Did they ever say what GL was going to be about? NataliaRomanov - 8/21/2009, 6:53 PM
	@Brent - That's the best thing to do until there's some footage. TonyDark - 8/21/2009, 6:53 PM
	You're kidding me, right? Van Wilder...a Green Lantern? What a joke! Dr. Donald Draper - 8/21/2009, 6:54 PM
	@Tony/Brent: Yes and yes. Did you guys see than fan pic that was floating around. At least Ryan looks like Green Lantern! I know that's not the most important thing, but it helps! Bijous - 8/21/2009, 6:57 PM
	@Dr. Donald Draper - Your logic is a joke. Ryan Reynolds is a good actor...key word: ACTOR. Maybe you should go do some research since all you seem to remember him from is Van Wilder. He doesn't have to play the same types of roles over and over, he has versatility. Prepare to be proven wrong. TonyDark - 8/21/2009, 6:59 PM
	Bijous - 8/21/2009, 7:01 PM
	@Tony: You've just proven my point. If you've seen Van Wilder, Waiting or any of the other crap he's done, then you know he. can't. act. Dr. Donald Draper - 8/21/2009, 7:02 PM
	@Bijous- It wont help Donald, he'll probably be whining until the trailer comes out... TonyDark - 8/21/2009, 7:03 PM
	I agree. Although had i only seen Van Wilder and all of the silly comedies he made i would be very wary! But i have seen him do very well in some dramatic roles so im optimistic. Cooper..i don't know. He was great in The Hangover but he doesn't have that Hero face..he sort of looks like a joker yknow? Rorschach01 - 8/21/2009, 7:04 PM
	ya im with tony i think RR will prove a lot of people wrong he can do all kinds of stuff i cant wait to see how he is in buried that indy movie where he wakes up buried alive(scariest situation besides stranded in the middle of the ocean) i saw some pics of it and it looks like its shapin up nicely SabretoothTiger - 8/21/2009, 7:06 PM
	@Donald- "Van Wilder" was entertaining, it was a college comedy...what'd you expect from it?... He was cool in that. "Waiting" sucked for the most part, but not because of Reynolds. He was good in everything else I've seen him in. He's not just a comedic actor... Watch "The Amityville Horror" and "Smokin' Aces". He was great in both of those, very intense. Reynolds is a good actor and he will prove you wrong. You're just another dude on the "Screw Reynolds" bandwagon. TonyDark - 8/21/2009, 7:09 PM
	@Tony: No, I'm not on a bandwagon or a rampage and thank you for the list. He was excellent in Amityville Horror, which I completely forgot about, so there's hope. Dr. Donald Draper - 8/21/2009, 7:11 PM
	See? Happy, happy, Reynolds, yeah! NataliaRomanov - 8/21/2009, 7:12 PM
	COOPER = JOKER = GUY (friggin') GARDNER!!! ; ) LEEE777 - 8/21/2009, 7:13 PM
	@LEEE: Sure, why not? NataliaRomanov - 8/21/2009, 7:13 PM
	@Donald- Good to know you're not on a bandwagon. Try to keep an open mind about RR as Lantern, you'll be surprised. TonyDark - 8/21/2009, 7:15 PM
	BIJOUS @ BRENT done that glowing one of REYNOLDS! You find that one on the NET?? LEEE777 - 8/21/2009, 7:19 PM
	I think Reynolds will make a great Hal. I would prefer him over Cooper. I like the idea of Cooper as the Flash. Jeremy Renner = Guy Gardner InTylerWeTrust82 - 8/21/2009, 7:22 PM
	@LEEE: I think you're right. I remember that one... NataliaRomanov - 8/21/2009, 7:27 PM
	I'll admit I have man crush on Reynolds. I think he's hilarious and I've seen most of his movies. I actually mAde my wife Go with me to the proposal (she had no interest) so I wouldn't look wierd as a single dude watching that movie. There I admit it. And if u got a problem with that bite me :) needless to say I'm looking forward to GL. superdog - 8/21/2009, 7:28 PM
	@LEEE: Yeah, I did whip that one up! Good eye! Brent Sprecher - 8/21/2009, 7:28 PM
	@LEEE/Brent: That's right! I forgot! I actually got it off The Insider by doing a Google search. Sorry! It's cool, right? Bijous - 8/21/2009, 7:29 PM
	@Bijous: Of course! Brent Sprecher - 8/21/2009, 7:30 PM
	@ I try lol! ; D Cool! LEEE777 - 8/21/2009, 7:31 PM
	Im just bummed knowing that he's bummed. =( LexLuthor - 8/21/2009, 7:31 PM
	New Iron Man 2 article. Check it out. Brent Sprecher - 8/21/2009, 7:32 PM
	@Lex: Awwww... NataliaRomanov - 8/21/2009, 7:33 PM
	Bummer! : D LEEE777 - 8/21/2009, 7:33 PM
	I checked it out. I would rather hang with the Lanterns... XD NataliaRomanov - 8/21/2009, 7:42 PM
	The hanging lanterns. I like that for a club name. superdog - 8/21/2009, 7:43 PM
	Reynolds is one of my fav actor, i have enjoyed all his movies, including waiting. i would've rather have cooper as GL, seeing he hasn't really done anything else besides comedies. i'm sure he would've done good droopy1317 - 8/21/2009, 7:47 PM
	@superdog: Yeah! @droopy: Yeah! NataliaRomanov - 8/21/2009, 7:48 PM
	Yeah that kinda sux how he found out. He found out by some random fan not his agent or WB. Kinda f-ed up. I think Reynolds will suprise the GL Fans and make them happy. I believe in Ryan Reynolds! But I would've rather had Reynolds for Flash. LMAO. InstigatorGIRL - 8/21/2009, 7:50 PM
	I was really liking the idea of Cooper for Hal. He would have been fantastic in my opinion. But Reynolds is a good actor and he will do a good job with the role. Maybe Cooper was actually just destined to play Kyle instead of Hal. As for Skarsgaard as Thor, I was all for it because he definitely has the look for the role. But to those of you who watch True Blood, I think you would agree that the most recent episode proved that he doesn't exactly have the acting chops to be a lead actor. OReilly - 8/21/2009, 7:52 PM
	@InstigatorGIRL: Yeah, right?!? Bijous - 8/21/2009, 7:52 PM
	In brightest day superdog - 8/21/2009, 7:53 PM
	in blackest night Bijous - 8/21/2009, 7:54 PM
	No evil shall escape my sight LexLuthor - 8/21/2009, 8:01 PM
	Let those who worship evils might superdog - 8/21/2009, 8:02 PM
	See TYLER's A$$ in Fright!!! LEEE777 - 8/21/2009, 8:16 PM
	beware my power.. Green Lantern's light!" Sanfordpunk - 8/21/2009, 8:19 PM
	Lee77@ you call yourself a comicbook fan and you dont even know the lantern oath. Pathetic :) superdog - 8/21/2009, 8:31 PM
	LEE@lol The new GL oath to me should be: In Hal's day In Ryan's night No criticism shall escape their sight Let those who worship Justin's tights Beware the power of Deadpool's light Punish88r - 8/21/2009, 8:41 PM
	but u no i feel sorry for good ol Bradley i think he deserves to have a chance at being GUY GARDNER or Flash if he commits to gaining muscle. and as for the Thor casting, Chris hemsworth is perfect. Alexander skarsgard to me should be jus an extra asgardian in the film. Punish88r - 8/21/2009, 8:46 PM
	no i think ryan would be the best GL ever and his a comadie man too Marvel Rules - 8/21/2009, 9:11 PM
	I don't know. I'm kind of disgusted by the whole thing myself, but you can't really blame anyone for taking that role if they were chosen for it. I felt Cooper was the more suited of the three. After all that Ryan Reynolds Deadpool talk and him saying how he wanted to play the Flash... I think those would've been artistically wiser choices (now that Deadpool's on the backburner), and really would've played on his strengths. I guess not everybody can be a Sam Rockwell, and I'm sure it'll be satisfactory if the script is good. I just find myself dreaming about what a JLA movie could potentially be if crafted and casted as carefully and perfectly as the new Batmans. 48and2 - 8/21/2009, 9:13 PM
	I personaly know what Cooper means beining on the FOB, I was on FOB SPEICHER when Jessica Simpson & Nick Lachey came by. If u must know that is in Tikrit, Iraq, Saddams birth place. Talk about hot 116 degrees wearing about 40 pds of gear + about 180 rounds 5.56 with my trusty M4. Ooh u just missed Ms Jess, that sucks. Spock - 8/21/2009, 9:20 PM
	Here i guess this is for the ladies.... yeah okay thats enough... Rumblebeast - 8/21/2009, 9:29 PM
	yay at the last one! boo hoo,reynolds will be better than cooper besides,cooper is guy gardner! NightAvenger4 - 8/21/2009, 9:39 PM
	Hey, fair is fair guys...ya gotta give the girl's a little beefcake along with all the boobies...Now back to the boobies! lol DDD - 8/21/2009, 9:54 PM
	I think Chris Evans would make a great Flash...Bradley needs to stick with comedies...IMO DDD - 8/21/2009, 9:57 PM
	Ryan is just a damm good actor and can play comedy, drama and action...I think he will do great with GL! DDD - 8/21/2009, 9:59 PM
	cant win them all man but he should play the flash AvengingAngel1022 - 8/21/2009, 10:17 PM
	Does anyone know anything about the Green Lantern movie besides the fact Reynolds is in it? I can't find anything else about it anywhere... Brent Sprecher - 8/21/2009, 11:34 PM
	@LEEE. OMG you made me choke on my soda. LMAO! @OReilly. Yeah Skarsgaard, has the look and he is impressive but last episode... he went down on my talent meter... just a bit... but he so looks the part. InstigatorGIRL - 8/21/2009, 11:51 PM
	I think Leee may be on to something casting Cooper as Gardner. We already know Cooper can play a cocky prick! Phinehas - 8/22/2009, 12:40 AM
	I'd be fine with Cooper playing Guy. But my pick is still going to Jeremy Renner, with Cooper as my 2nd. InTylerWeTrust82 - 8/22/2009, 1:15 AM
	There probably keeping things tight on this film. I'm not a big fan of GL myself ,But I hope they don't screw it up either . Hope the movie is a success georgia49th - 8/22/2009, 1:47 AM
	I preffered Cooper for the part... But Ryan Reynolds has it as he has Shazam and Spider-man and Superman and Wonder Woman.... But on a serious note he could def play the Flash ... Wally West ofcourse .... Sorry Natalia saw too much man flesh need some balance thegreek - 8/22/2009, 2:15 AM
	If done right this movie could be amazing! They have to keep with the spirit and heart of GL, not get too effex-minded that they forget about the human part of the story (even if their aliens). DDD - 8/22/2009, 2:17 AM
	Those girls don't look very balanced, their too top-heavy...uh...not that girls could EVER be TOO top-heavy! lol DDD - 8/22/2009, 2:20 AM
	Very nice thegreek. Very nice. InTylerWeTrust82 - 8/22/2009, 2:32 AM
	I supported Cooper......bummer :( teabag - 8/22/2009, 4:55 AM
	Agreed, I've always enjoyed Jeremy Renner. I think he'd make a terrific Guy. longbowhunter - 8/22/2009, 7:39 AM
	Bradly Cooper may have been a good GL but I don't think he'd pull off Wally West Flash. Maybe Professor Zoom. Ryan Kwantan (who plays Jason Stackhouse in True Blood) would do a good job as Wally West Flash. WeaponX - 8/22/2009, 7:40 AM
	Bradley Cooper or Jeremy Renner are good for Guy. Jeremy's good on The Unusuals. DDD - 8/22/2009, 7:48 AM
	Glad you guys approve thegreek - 8/22/2009, 7:55 AM
	Nic Cage for Cooper's next love interest. SirPrize - 8/22/2009, 8:29 AM
	Cooper for Gonzo in a live action Muppets movies. Rorschach01 - 8/22/2009, 8:39 AM
	I've looked everywhere Brent...I can't find a single thing more about GL. They are really keeping hush-hush on this one! I for one am really excited about this movie finally being made! It's a very long time coming! But man there's nothing even on Variety! DDD - 8/22/2009, 9:21 AM
	INSTGATOR @ Heh heh! Super @ Lmao! Punish88r @ Lol! An hey instead of a Asgardian, how about a few years down the line ALEXANDER SKARSGARD would make a damn fine THUNDERSTRIKE!!! LEEE777 - 8/22/2009, 9:23 AM
	I think Bradley would make a good zoom; whether it be Zolomon or Thawne. In fact, when Goyer when working on flash, I had heard that Cooper was his pick. groundrunner15 - 8/22/2009, 9:35 AM
	Bradley woulda been a good GL and Ryan a bad ass Flash...Nathan Fillion shoulda been GL though. Let's just hope that they don't mess up the GL movie like Catwoman and Superman Returns...aghh... TheREALHumanTorch - 8/22/2009, 10:12 AM
	@Leee, Skarsgard surely would make an excellent Thunderstrike and so would Karl Urban! DDD - 8/22/2009, 10:25 AM
	Ror thats some good casting.... :) teabag - 8/22/2009, 10:37 AM
	InTylerWeTrust82 - 8/22/2009, 12:25 PM
	Jeremy Renner as Guy Ben Barns As kyle Sanfordpunk - 8/22/2009, 12:41 PM
	OMG TYLER @ That guys terrible! ; D LEEE777 - 8/22/2009, 2:42 PM
	BRADLEY COOPER = ; D LEEE777 - 8/22/2009, 2:46 PM
	cooper should play hank pym (ant-man) Sanfordpunk - 8/22/2009, 2:58 PM
	Lee: You said you have no idea who Renner is, so you can't judge if he's terrible or not. Sanford: Not feeling Cooper as Pym. He'd be better as Flash or Zoom, or Guy Gardner. InTylerWeTrust82 - 8/22/2009, 3:05 PM
	LEE@ good call yeah i think alexander would be great as thunderstrike Punish88r - 8/22/2009, 3:13 PM
	InTylerWeTrust82 - 8/22/2009, 3:32 PM
	@leee777 what are you on about that you dont post boobies oh come on thats all you do and i should f---ing know ffs!!! and this also look good to me ;) lc - 8/22/2009, 4:19 PM
	TYLER @ He looks like a NOOB! No wonder you like him!!! ; D LEEE777 - 8/22/2009, 6:01 PM
	That made no sense whatsoever. InTylerWeTrust82 - 8/22/2009, 6:22 PM
	Bradley Cooper reminds me of Hal Jordan. ryan Reynolds is too much of a goof-ball and his sarcasm makes him the perfect flash. Too bad he isnt flash because i was looking forward to seeing him as Barry Allen. Aiiwolf - 8/22/2009, 10:18 PM
	Reynolds isn't always goofy and sarcastic. He's a great actor, and can play serious, dramatic, and funny at the same time. Plus, he wouldn't have been Barry, he would have been Wally. Cooper doesn't remind me of Hal at all, he's usually playing a big douebag in his movies. InTylerWeTrust82** - 8/22/2009, 10:30 PM
	Aiiwolf, Barry Allen didn't (now, I should say doesn't since the "Rebirth" issues have been released) have a goof-ball persona. Wally West did have that persona when he first began. But now, being older with kids, its not as prevalent. FYI Phinehas - 8/23/2009, 1:40 AM
	Hal Jordan had a swagger with reckless abandon. I think the best person to have carried that mantle was Josh Duhamel. Bradley Cooper would have made a good Guy Garder. An arrogant prick with a chip on his shoulder. Mr. Durden, what has Renner been in? I know he's been in the recent release, "Hurt Locker", not to mention other smaller roles. But I can't think of a large body of work he's done. He has a hauntingly familiar face. He could be a dead ringer of Gardner with the two pics you put up. Phinehas - 8/23/2009, 1:43 AM
	Duhamel looks the part, bus is seriously lacking in the acting department. Cooper would make a good Gardner,he really would, but I think Renner would be a better choice. InTylerWeTrust82 - 8/23/2009, 1:48 AM
	What about Cole Hauser? Phinehas - 8/23/2009, 2:11 AM
	I know I've heard that name before, I just can't remember where... InTylerWeTrust82 - 8/23/2009, 2:15 AM
	I'm a huge Ryan Reynolds fan but I just don't buy him as Hal Jordan. Kyle Rayner... DEFINITELY! I think Cooper makes a much better Jordan. They shoulda just stuck with RR as Flash. DeadWebHead - 8/23/2009, 10:20 AM
	Also... negative on EVER seeing Guy Gardner live action... especially not sticking Bradley Cooper with such a second rate character DeadWebHead - 8/23/2009, 10:23 AM
	ya but i want this movie do have effects that are like bammmm in your face.... Rumblebeast - 8/25/2009, 12:33 AM
	as long as he doesn't do the thing he does with his eyebrows...i'm fine with that, he's cool, good actor, i would've chosen chris pine. but yeah...RR is growing on me like a mushroom. redskullrevenge - 8/25/2009, 3:44 AM

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