Reynolds & Lively Discuss the Challenges and Excitement Surrounding GREEN LANTERN

Two of the superhero film's main stars, Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively, have recently spoken out about their continued enthusiasm for the larger-than-life comic book adaptation.

Martin Campbell upcoming comic book adaptation, Green Lantern, is undoubtedly one of the most highly anticipated movies of 2011. Over the past few days, several of the film's stars took the time to talk briefly about their characters. Inquirer Entertainment caught up with Ryan Reynolds, who is portraying the film's title character Hal Jordan, during a recent interview regarding his new horror/drama film, Buried. Reynolds remarked on the change in pace regarding training for his superhero role, and where he's noticed the most excitement about the film building:

Green Lantern posed different challenges, obviously. It involved a lot of wire work and gymnastics. As soon as I wrapped Buried, I went into a gymnastics program in New York for six months. A six foot, two inches tall person has no business tumbling, I realized that early on. But they did teach me a lot. I was able to do some interesting things.

"When you get a chance to do something like that, you reach a bit of that dream you had when you were a kid, when anything was possible. To see yourself standing up there on the big screen, and they’ve got the best camera in the world, the best stunt guys, the best talents, and you get to be that guy is an amazing feeling...But where it really hits home is with the nieces and nephews. I have five of them. This is the only movie I’ve ever done that they are excited to see. That’s all they talk about. I am not even Uncle Ryan anymore; I am Green Lantern."

MTV News spoke with The Town actress Blake Lively about her Green Lantern character Carol Ferris; particularly, about her excitement in seeing the final product and whether or not fans will be shown hints of her character's 'evil' future:

"With all of the special effects, you're in a big sound stage with blue walls, and the world that you're acting opposite will be created months after you're finished shooting. To watch that will be a very different experience, because I don't know half of what I'm going to see. That's so exciting, seeing the visual arts, and all of the amazing effects and characters that they're creating. I cannot wait to see it, because that's one of the most important elements in our story.

"There are always winks and homages to certain things in the comics for the fans, but I don't think you'll know yet how evil she turns...Not yet.

"Playing women with strengths are the characters I'm most attracted to. Being in a superhero movie opposite such amazing actors and an incredible director, and not just being a damsel in distress but a fighter pilot and [Hal's] boss at the company."

In DC Comics mythology, Ferris is chosen to become the villainous Star Sapphire; similarly to how Reynolds' character Hal Jordan becomes a member of the Green Lantern Corps. Though it has yet to be confirmed whether Lively will don the Sapphire's skin-tight purple suit for the film's sequel, the Star Sapphire will briefly make an appearance in the first film.

Green Lantern is scheduled to hit 2D and 3D theaters June 17th, 2011.