Is Hal Jordan Headed to the Big Easy?

The news that Green Lantern might be forced to relocate out of Australia was quiet the shocker for its eagerly awaiting fans. It didn't help matters that there's been silence from the production with the exceptions of the hiring of Ryan Reynolds to yield the power ring as Hal Jordan and 007 alum Martin Campbell sitting in the director's chair. Could this be the beginning of a series of bad-news for the Emerald Knight?

Fear not, ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the back-up plan. According to a report from /film (and quickly backed up by CHUD), filming will commence as planned next year for its June 2011 release. And they've already found a capable replacement in the form of New Orleans. Its local film economy has been going through quiet the boom lately with productions including The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Final Destination 4, Dead of Night and The Expendables.

With that said, I'm surprised a deal wasn't struck between the Australian government and Warner Brothers. Like New Orleans, things are going great for the Aussie film industry right now with $100-$200 million productions like John Carter of Mars, the third Narnia film Voyage of the Dawn Treader and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo. However this recent boom comes after quiet the dry-spell. It's never a bad idea to squeeze in as many big productions under your plate as possible.

With that issue resolved, it shouldn't be too terribly long before actors are cast in fill in the other roles. Of course, we at TMT can't help but wait and see just who will play Jordan's main-squeeze Carol Ferris if you'll remember.