David Boreanaz

IMAGES created for the proposed Green Lantern superhero movie appear to show that David Boreanaz is a contender for the lead role while Carla Gugini is a top choice for the part of the romantic interest Carol Ferris.

There is no doubt Gugini (above right) was the inspiration for Carol Ferris in the concept art shown above - and it’s pretty obvious from other images that Boreanaz (pictured below) was the basis for the Green Lantern.

Of course, this doesn’t mean Boreanaz and Gugino will be cast but it does show who the creative team had in mind for the roles. And they are not bad choices either, although fans have mentioned other names for the Green Lantern role including Nathan Fillion, Josh Duhamel, Jim Caviezel and Ben Browder.

Boreanaz, 39, best known as the character Angel in TV shows Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, has been one of the top choices, and this was strengthened when he voiced Green Lantern in the animated DVD movie Justice League: The New Frontier, in 2006. He has also appeared in TV series Bones and in the finale of the third season, his character Special Agent Seeley Booth was shown reading a Green Lantern comicbook as he lay in the bath.

Gugino, 37, has had roles in numerous TV shows including Spin City, Chicago Hope and Karen Sisco, and was in films including Spy Kids, Night at the Museum, American Gangster and next year’s superhero movie Watchmen, in which she plays the original Silk Spectre.

These latest images have surfaced on the website of storyboard artist and illustrator Brian Murray who posted artwork he created for Green Lantern co-writer (and potential director) Greg Berlanti.

The concept art was part of a presentation package created for Berlanti’s company which made a successful pitch to Warner Bros for the movie, now in active development according to a listing last month in trade mag Production Weekly. It’s set for release in 2010.

Although the movie will feature the Hal Jordan version of the main character, the costume is more like that worn by the Kyle Rayner version of Green Lantern.

Some of the changes - green gloves rather than white - seem fine. But I’m not that keen on the upper body green section ending at the chest rather than continuing to the waist, and the lantern emblem seems a little small. And I have noticed in online chat that several other superhero enthusiasts have similar views.

But this is only early-stage concept art, and it does at least show that there is some substance to this movie project. However, it is all drip-feeding out rather slowly and we now want to hear official word on a director and then for the casting process to get moving.