Almost immediately following the announcement of each new superhero movie debate rages about how the hero’s suit, usually the most visual and recognizable part of the character, should be transferred to the big screen. Far from trivial fanboy obsession, the cinematic design of a superhero’s costume can make or break the film. The silver screen adaptation of DC Comics’ Green Lantern, starring Ryan Reynolds, has been mired in this dilemma for the past few months. Will Warner Bros. stay true to the classic comic book design? Or will they develop something new to maximize the believability of the premise?
As it turns out, we may never know. Well, at least not until the actual film is released. Why? because there apparently won’t be a suit at all. The guys over at Slashfilm have the scoop that nearly the entire costume will be computer generated. That’s right. It will only exist in that virtual world of ones and zeros.
Before practical effects purists and Hal Jordan loyalists take up arms against Warners for this blasphemous news they should rest assured that distinguished costumer designer, Ngila Dickson, who won the Academy Award for “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” is at the helm of the design process. You can’t get much more geek cred than that. And considering the unique characteristics of the Green Lantern’s suit CG may just be the only viable option to produce a believable visual effect.
