10 Shocking Secrets Blake Lively Revealed About The Green Lantern Set (Beyond Meeting Ryan Reynolds)

The 2011 DC superhero film Green Lantern is widely remembered as one of Hollywood's biggest commercial and critical missteps, but for actress Blake Lively, it remains the most pivotal project of her career. As of December 2025, the film's legacy has been completely redefined, not by its controversial CGI costume or box office failure, but by the life-altering romance that blossomed between its two stars, Lively and Ryan Reynolds, making it perhaps the most successful "flop" in cinematic history.

While the film itself has become a running joke for Reynolds, Lively’s experience playing the fierce test pilot Carol Ferris was a period of intense physical training, a major career shift from her role on Gossip Girl, and the unexpected beginning of one of the most beloved celebrity marriages in Hollywood. This deep dive uncovers the true stories and little-known facts about her time in the pre-DCEU blockbuster and its lasting impact.

Blake Lively: Complete Profile and Biography

Blake Lively's transition from a teen drama icon to a major blockbuster star and lifestyle entrepreneur is a fascinating journey. Here is a brief overview of the actress who brought Carol Ferris to life:

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• Full Name: Blake Ellender Brown (Professionally known as Blake Lively)
• Born: August 25, 1987
• Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
• Parents: Ernie Lively (Actor) and Elaine Lively (Talent Manager)
• Spouse: Ryan Reynolds (m. 2012)
• Children: Four daughters
• Notable Roles Before Green Lantern: Bridget Vreeland in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants (2005) and Serena van der Woodsen in Gossip Girl (2007–2012).
• Business Ventures: Founder of the non-alcoholic mixer company, Betty Buzz.

The Carol Ferris Challenge: Training, Hair Dye, and Fan Expectations

Landing the role of Carol Ferris was a significant achievement for Lively, who beat out several other actresses for the part. Carol Ferris is not just a love interest; she is the Vice President of Ferris Aircraft and a highly skilled test pilot, making her Hal Jordan's boss and equal in many ways.

1. The Intense Physical Training Regimen

To convincingly play a powerful aerospace executive and pilot, Lively underwent rigorous physical preparation. She revealed that she trained with a stunt coordinator who had worked on the James Bond films. Furthermore, she worked with gymnastic acrobats from Cirque du Soleil to prepare for the film's action sequences, demonstrating the production’s initial commitment to realism despite the heavy reliance on CGI.

2. The Brunette Transformation for DC Comics Accuracy

One of the earliest production decisions involved Lively's famous blonde hair. In the source material, Carol Ferris is traditionally a brunette. Lively confirmed that she had to dye her hair brown for the role, stating, "There was no debate: Carol Ferris is a brunette. And I'm blonde: I couldn't— (laughs). Yeah, it's not me; it's her. I had to make the fans happy." This small detail shows the production's effort to appease the DC Comics fanbase.

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3. Lively's Lack of Comic Book Knowledge

In a surprising admission, Lively revealed that she knew "nothing about Green Lantern" before getting the role. She initially imagined that the comic was obscure, but quickly realized the depth of the lore and the passion of the fanbase upon accepting the part. This curiosity-driven research helped her connect with the character's legacy.

4. The Unfulfilled Promise of Star Sapphire

For comic book fans, Carol Ferris is destined to become Star Sapphire, a powerful anti-hero/villain who wields the violet power of the Star Sapphire Corps, driven by love and passion. Lively was fully aware of this arc and publicly expressed her excitement and desire to play the super-powered character in a planned sequel. The film's failure meant this transformation—a key element of the Carol Ferris story—never came to pass on screen.

The Silver Lining: How A Flop Created a Power Couple

While the film’s critical reception was overwhelmingly negative—it holds a 25% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is often cited as a major box office disappointment—its true, lasting legacy is the love story it sparked.

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5. The Double Date That Wasn't

After filming wrapped, Lively and Reynolds remained close friends. They famously went on a double date where they were dating other people, only to realize that they had undeniable chemistry with each other. Reynolds has publicly recounted the story, noting that the date was "the most awkward date for the respective partners" as he and Lively were "like fireworks."

6. Reynolds Credits the Flop for His Career Success

Ryan Reynolds has frequently joked about the movie, even incorporating its failure into his *Deadpool* franchise, but he has also credited the experience with teaching him invaluable lessons about filmmaking, which he applied to his later mega-successful projects. He learned that "you can’t really be the victim" and that the production process taught him how to take ownership of a project. Lively, by extension, was part of this crucial learning curve.

7. The Baking Sabotage Attempt

In a humorous anecdote, Lively attempted to sabotage Reynolds' famously chiseled physique during filming by constantly baking for him. She would bring freshly baked treats to the set, a strategy she jokingly called a "failed attempt" to make him look less like the superhero he was playing. This playful dynamic was an early sign of their off-screen chemistry.

8. The Lingering Echo in Her New Work

In a very recent development in 2025, fans and media outlets noted an almost identical dance scene between Lively's character in the highly anticipated film adaptation of *It Ends With Us* and a scene she shared with Ryan Reynolds in *Green Lantern*. These comparisons, which surfaced during the film's promotional cycle, show that the 2011 movie continues to influence the narrative around her career today.

Green Lantern's Future and Lively's Legacy

The DC Universe is moving forward with a new iteration of the story, proving that the concept has enduring power despite the 2011 film's shortcomings.

9. The New HBO Max Series and Her Replacement

Warner Bros. is developing a new, high-budget series for HBO Max titled *Lanterns*, which will focus on new iterations of the Green Lantern Corps. This new project effectively replaces the 2011 film's continuity, meaning a new actress will be cast as Carol Ferris. The conversation around who will replace Lively highlights her lasting association with the character, even 14 years later.

10. A Foundation for Post-Gossip Girl Stardom

While the critical failure of *Green Lantern* could have derailed her career, Lively quickly pivoted. The film provided her with the experience of leading a major action blockbuster and working with a director like Martin Campbell, which set the stage for later acclaimed performances in films like *The Town* and *A Simple Favor*. Ultimately, Green Lantern was the necessary, albeit awkward, stepping stone that launched her into A-list Hollywood status, both professionally and personally.