Warner Bros. tabs Reynolds for 'Lantern'

LOS ANGELES, July 11 (UPI) -- Warner Bros. has tabbed Canadian actor Ryan Reynolds to play the title role in the movie adaptation of the comic book series "Green Lantern."

Variety.com reported Friday Reynolds, star of films such as "Waiting" and "The Proposal," will play the title superhero in the forthcoming Martin Campbell-directed production.

Production is expected to begin in January using a screenplay by Greg Berlanti, Marc Guggenheim and Michael Green.

Reynolds had been one of the three actors being eyed by the studio and Campbell for the superhero part, along with actors Bradley Cooper and Jared Leto.

The "Green Lantern" role comes after Reynolds enjoyed success this summer in "Proposal" and "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

Variety said Reynolds' next project will be the drama "Buried," which he is to begin filming with Spanish director Rodrigo Cortes in the near future.