Ryan Reynolds Wants a Lanterns Cameo as The Batman Part II Promises a Radical New Batman | Comic Section #399

Could Ryan Reynolds actually return to the DC Universe as Green Lantern?

On The Comic Section Podcast Issue #399, we're discussing Reynolds' surprising interest in appearing on HBO's Lanterns, Robert Pattinson teasing a radically different take on Batman, Nicolas Cage reacting to the cancellation of Spider-Noir, Brendan Fraser returning for The Mummy 4, Netflix's Wonka's The Golden Ticket, and our review of Batman: Knightfall Part One.

Ryan Reynolds Says He Would Love a Lanterns Cameo

Ryan Reynolds has spent years making jokes about his infamous 2011 Green Lantern movie.

But that doesn't mean he wants to erase the experience.

While promoting Mayday, Reynolds was asked whether he would consider appearing in HBO's new DC series Lanterns.

His answer was surprisingly enthusiastic.

He'd love to do it.

HBO Max quickly joined the joke by editing footage of Reynolds' Green Lantern into a promotional clip from the series.

It wasn't an actual cameo or casting announcement—but it immediately got fans talking.

Lanterns already features Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan alongside Aaron Pierre's John Stewart, which means Reynolds obviously wouldn't be replacing the current Hal Jordan.

But DC has a long history of embracing alternate universes, legacy actors, and playful cameos.

Could Reynolds appear as an alternate Hal?

Could he play a completely different Lantern?

Could DC simply bring him in for a quick joke acknowledging his superhero past?

We discuss whether a cameo would be a fun nod to DC history or an unnecessary distraction from the new series.

Ryan Reynolds Doesn't Regret Green Lantern

What's particularly interesting is the way Reynolds now talks about the movie.

Rather than simply viewing Green Lantern as an embarrassing failure, Reynolds credits the production with teaching him lessons that shaped his future career.

The movie helped reinforce his belief that character and creativity matter more than simply throwing enormous amounts of money at a production.

Considering what Reynolds later accomplished with Deadpool, it's easy to understand why he sees Green Lantern as part of the journey rather than something he wants completely erased.

Maybe it's finally time for Hal Jordan to get one last laugh.

Robert Pattinson Calls The Batman Part II a Radical Retelling

Meanwhile, something big appears to be happening in Matt Reeves' Gotham.

Robert Pattinson has teased that The Batman Part II will offer a “really radical retelling of Batman.”

That's a pretty significant statement.

Reeves already reinvented several pieces of Batman mythology through The Batman and The Penguin, but Pattinson's comments suggest the sequel may push things even further.

Fans have already begun theorizing about everything from Robin and Bruce Wayne's family to the Court of Owls, Phantasm, Two-Face, Victor Zsasz, and other major Batman characters.

But “radical retelling” may mean the movie goes somewhere nobody expects.

What's especially encouraging is Pattinson's suggestion that Warner Bros. and DC are supporting Reeves' creative choices.

After the success of his first Batman film and The Penguin, Reeves appears to have earned considerable freedom to tell his version of this story.

The question is how far he'll go.

Nicolas Cage Is at Peace With Spider-Noir Ending

Nicolas Cage doesn't seem heartbroken about Spider-Noir ending after one season.

Following Prime Video's decision not to renew the series, Cage said that a single season felt perfect to him.

For Cage, the series functioned as a complete artistic statement.

His version of Spider-Man Noir was intentionally strange, dangerous, stylized, and unlike virtually any other live-action Spider-Man we've seen.

That makes his reaction especially interesting.

Fans often measure television success by how many seasons a show receives.

But does every show actually need to continue?

Could a single great season sometimes be enough?

It's a conversation worth having—although fans who wanted another season will probably still disagree.

Brendan Fraser Is Back for The Mummy 4

One of the most beloved adventure franchises of the late 1990s and early 2000s is officially returning.

Brendan Fraser is once again playing Rick O'Connell in The Mummy 4.

Even better for longtime fans, Rachel Weisz is returning as Evelyn.

The reunion gives the new movie something fans have wanted for decades: another adventure featuring the characters and chemistry that made the original films so popular.

Fraser has described returning to the character as reconnecting with an old friend.

The nostalgia is going to be powerful.

But nostalgia alone can't carry an entire movie.

The challenge for The Mummy 4 will be honoring what audiences loved about the originals while giving Rick and Evelyn a reason to return that feels worthwhile.

If the filmmakers can pull that off, Universal could have another major legacy-sequel success on its hands.

Netflix Opens the Chocolate Factory With Wonka's The Golden Ticket

Netflix is inviting contestants into Willy Wonka's world.

Wonka's The Golden Ticket is a reality competition inspired by Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Contestants enter the Chocolate Factory and face unpredictable games, challenges, tests, and temptations.

It's a fascinating concept because Wonka's factory is practically designed for reality television.

The original story already revolves around contestants being tested by bizarre rooms, tempting prizes, and their own personalities.

Netflix simply turned that concept into an actual competition.

Will it capture the imagination of the original story?

Or will Willy Wonka become the latest recognizable franchise stretched into reality television?

We react to the trailer on Issue #399.

Batman: Knightfall Part One Review

Finally, we're heading back to Gotham.

Jason reviews Batman: Knightfall Part One, the first installment in DC's animated adaptation of the legendary 1990s Batman storyline.

The Knightfall saga famously pushes Bruce Wayne to his limits after Bane orchestrates a massive breakout from Arkham Asylum.

An exhausted Batman is eventually forced into a confrontation with Bane that changes Bruce Wayne's life forever.

Because the original storyline is enormous, Warner Bros. Animation is adapting Knightfall across multiple films.

Does Part One successfully lay the foundation?

Does Bane feel as dangerous as he should?

And can this animated trilogy deliver the definitive adaptation fans have wanted?

Jason breaks it down.

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