A Superpowered Superhero
Tom Cruise is one of Hollywood’s most important stars. He has a long history that includes highs and lows. But for the last few years, he’s rebuilt his image and has become one of the greatest action stars ever. He’s taken the Mission Impossible series to new heights in Mission Impossible: Fallout. Now, it looks like he might be interested in an action role of an even higher caliber. A new rumor suggests that Tom Cruise is possibly in talks to join the DC Universe and Justice League as Hal Jordan, the Green Lantern.
Just the other day a rumor surfaced that another A-list action star Mark Wahlberg was considered for the part at the behest of producer Charles Roven. So it adds a little clout to this story considering Warner Bros. seems to be looking for a major star for the role.
The website Crazy Days and Nights first reported the rumored search for a star in March, but have now confirmed the rumor as Tom Cruise being considered for the role of Green Lantern. Let’s get this out of the way, it’s not a bad idea and in fact it could be a great idea. While Cruise might not appreciate the jokes that could come along with him leading a corps of aliens with superpowers, he’d make an incredible Hal. He was Maverick in Top Gun, after all. His presence would draw plenty of attention to a new iteration of Green Lantern, a smart decision on behalf of the studio and DC.
However, it would seem Cruise has a condition about his part, one that’s not all that surprising considering his past.
On One Condition
Minor spoiler for most every Tom Cruise film folks: the guy doesn’t die. In fact, it’s openly discussed that one of Tom Cruise’s conditions for the scripts he produces is that his characters don’t die. It’s not a strange request. Apparently, Will Smith is another actor who also prefers his characters more alive than dead. So it’s not unheard of. However, it did become an issue when it apparently came to the Green Lantern Corps script. Because Hal Jordan dies. The rumor suggests that one of Tom Cruise’s conditions for accepting the part is that the script changes and Hal remains alive.
A Minor Spoiler
The fact that such a major detail about the story has been revealed makes the story a little less believable. Hal Jordan’s death is the kind of plot element studios keep under extreme lock and key. But the other pieces of the story add a certain level of credibility. The DC Universe could use some A-listers in their roster. Green Lantern Corps will eventually be made, possibly by the recently ousted likes of James Gunn.
It’s also a good idea to keep Hal around. Fans wouldn’t be happy about seeing Hal Jordan die in his first outing in the DC Universe. While Cruise’s condition is likely based on his history with scripts, it’s probably just a better idea for the film.
Chris Pine has doubled down on Steve Trevor and Jake Gyllenhaal has kind of joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe — just two of the fan favorite choices for a new Hal Jordan, Green Lantern. Now it’s time for the studio to think out of the box. Tom Cruise could be the perfect kind of action star to bring a lovable jock like Hal Jordan to life.