Green Lantern 2, Flash Gain Screenwriters

Published by Jeff Leins on June 11, 2010

Warner Bros’ 3D Green Lantern won’t be in theaters for another year and already the studio is pushing forward with a sequel and plans for an adaptation of the comic character Flash.  The movement comes just weeks after the company announced to investors that their DC Comics line would become a “significant portion” of their future entertainment slate.

Greg Berlanti, Michael Green and Marc Guggenheim have all been hired to write a treatment for the Lantern sequel, according to THR.  All three worked on the screenplay currently being used by director Martin Campbell for next year’s original film starring Ryan Reynolds.

The June 2011 release will feature Peter Sarsgaard as the main villain, Hector Hammond, but is also expected the set up the transformation of Sinestro (played by Mark Strong) from trusted a Lantern Corps confidant into a powerful foe of Hal Jordan (Reynolds).  The early sequel preparation also means WB will be pushing Reynolds to reprise his Lantern role sooner rather than later, leaving less time for Marvel’s Deadpool spin-off.

Additionally, the trio will team for the Flash, which was “nearing a green light” last month.  Berlanti was rumored for the director’s chair on this quickly-moving effort and that may still be the case.  With Geoff Johns’ involvement as Chief Creative Officer at DC Entertainment, the comics will borrow from his recent work as writer of the series that brought back ’80s Flash incarnation Barry Allen.  Sorry Wally West fans.