Thank God Warners Bros have seen sense and decided against casting goat-haired warbler Justin Timberlake as The Green Lantern. Yes, incredible as it may seem, Timberlake was on of a number of potentials on the shortlist, and actually auditioned (at which point somebody presumably noticed his CV says Singer not Actor). Bradley (The Hangover) Cooper and Jared (Lord Of War) Leto were also auditioned, but the role has finally been awarded to Ryan (Deadpool) Reynolds.

This makes him the first actor to star in movie versions of both a Marvel and DC superheroes. As well as playing Deadpool in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, he is scheduled reprise the character in his own spin-off film.

The Green Lantern movie (which features the Hal Jordan version of the character) is being directed by Martin (Goldeneye, Casino Royale) Campbell and produced by Donald De Line and Greg Berlanti. In the story, test pilot Hal Jordan receives a ring from the Guardians Of The Universe that gives him great power - it also makes him, um, powerless against the colour yellow (although that oddity was retconned out in 2006). According to The Hollywood Reporter, "One reason for the long search [for a lead] was De Line, Campbell and the studio each had a different favorite among the finalists, making it difficult to come to a consensus." You kinda wonder who favoured Timberlake, and what they're doing in the movie business...?

Reynolds very nearly played another DC superhero back in 2006. He was attached to a big screen version of The Flash, with a script by David (Blade, Batman Begins) Goyer, which ultimately never got the green light.

Shooting on Green Lantern is scheduled to begin in January 2010 in Sydney. But what does this mean for the spin-off Deadpool movie, also proposed for 2011? And does this mean Reynolds will be a big role in any Justice League movie (Green Lantern was a founder member after all)? Let us know what you think, SFXers.