The Movie That Nearly Ended Ryan Reynolds’ Career—And Why He Still Talks About It!

Ryan Reynolds has become one of Hollywood’s most bankable stars, known for his sharp wit, comedic timing, and memorable roles in films like Deadpool (2016) and The Proposal (2009). However, before his career hit its modern-day stride, he faced a pivotal moment that could have jeopardized everything. That moment came in 2011 with the release of Green Lantern, a superhero film based on the DC Comics character, where Reynolds portrayed Hal Jordan, a test pilot inducted into an intergalactic peacekeeping force. The film’s failure, both critically and financially, has since become one of the most talked-about risks in Reynolds’ career trajectory.

A High-Stakes Gamble

When Green Lantern hit theaters, expectations were sky-high. With a massive $200 million budget and the hope of launching a new franchise in the lucrative superhero market, the film was expected to be a major player in Hollywood. However, it quickly became clear that Green Lantern was struggling. The film grossed just $219 million globally, a disappointing figure when compared to its sizable production cost, and it received a dismal 26% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics lambasted the film’s pacing, its over-reliance on CGI, and its underdeveloped characters, and audiences largely shared the same sentiments.

In what should have been a sure-fire hit, Green Lantern became one of the biggest box office bombs in recent cinema history. Its failure marked a significant blow to Reynolds’ career, with some fearing it could derail his trajectory as a leading man in big-budget films.

The Fallout: Career Impact and Risk Assessment

The repercussions of Green Lantern’s failure were immediate. In the aftermath of the film’s lackluster reception, Reynolds faced a significant decline in his career. His role as a superhero, so often seen as a ticket to long-term stardom, instead threatened to pigeonhole him in a genre that had rejected him. In his own words, Reynolds reflected on the film’s massive budget and the production’s lack of focus on character development. At the Just For Laughs comedy festival, he admitted, “There was just too many people spending too much money, and when there was a problem rather than say, ‘OK, let’s stop spending on special effects and let’s think about character,’ it became an issue.”

This insight underscores the high stakes involved in Green Lantern. Not only did it carry a financial risk due to its vast budget, but it also served as an important career marker. Had it failed to launch, it could have prevented Reynolds from ever being considered for major franchise roles again.

Comparative Analysis: Deadpool vs. Green Lantern

To assess whether Green Lantern was truly the biggest career risk Reynolds ever took, we must consider some of his other projects. While Deadpool (2016) was also considered a gamble—due to its R-rating, unconventional humor, and unique approach to the superhero genre—it was ultimately a massive success. Grossing over $783 million globally, Deadpool revitalized Reynolds’ career, proving that taking risks can lead to remarkable rewards.

In comparison, Reynolds’ earlier roles in Blade: Trinity (2004) and X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) were mixed bags. While neither of these films faced the same expectations or carried the same franchise-launching pressure as Green Lantern, neither was able to elevate Reynolds to the A-list status he would later achieve.

However, no project in Reynolds’ career has come close to the weight of Green Lantern in terms of career jeopardy. It represented the highest stakes—a huge budget, a superhero role, and the potential to either make or break his future in Hollywood.

Reflecting on the Lessons: From Green Lantern to Deadpool

Despite the failure of Green Lantern, Reynolds has expressed that it was a crucial learning experience. In a 2025 interview at the Time 100 Summit, he acknowledged the lessons he learned from the film, stating, “I learned all the most amazing lessons I could ever have in the creative space from that movie.” Reynolds cited his newfound focus on character development and dialogue, rather than just spectacle and special effects, as one of the main takeaways.

This mindset would later shape his work as a producer and lead actor in Deadpool, where he pushed for a character-driven, comedic, and irreverent superhero film. In fact, Reynolds’ career resurgence was partly fueled by his ability to learn from the mistakes of Green Lantern and apply those lessons to future projects, creating a more authentic, engaging, and risk-tolerant career path.

Cultural Impact: A Punchline in His Career

Despite its failure, Green Lantern has had an enduring impact on Reynolds’ public persona. He frequently mocks the film in his other projects, most notably in Deadpool, where he quips about the infamous green suit. The film has become a cultural punchline, with Reynolds referencing it multiple times in interviews and appearances. Newsweek even compiled a list of seven instances where Reynolds poked fun at Green Lantern. It’s clear that Reynolds has made peace with the film’s failure, using humor as a way to disarm any negative association it might have with his career.

Moreover, Reynolds has mentioned that one of the positive outcomes of working on Green Lantern was meeting his wife, Blake Lively, on set. This personal aspect of the film’s legacy adds a heartwarming touch to the otherwise professional disappointment.

Conclusion: Green Lantern—The Risk That Defined a Career

In retrospect, Green Lantern stands as the movie Ryan Reynolds risked his entire career on. Despite the setbacks it caused, it also propelled him toward self-discovery and creative growth. By learning from its mistakes and shifting his focus to character and dialogue, Reynolds was able to reinvent his career, culminating in the massive success of Deadpool.

While the failure of Green Lantern will always be a significant chapter in Reynolds’ career, it also marked a turning point that helped him evolve into the versatile and sought-after actor we know today. Ultimately, the gamble paid off, and Reynolds’ journey serves as a testament to the power of risk-taking and resilience in the unpredictable world of Hollywood.