Mark Strong Might Play Sinestro in 'Green Lantern'

"Sherlock Holmes" villain Mark Strong is in talks to play Sinestro in the "Green Lantern" movie, according to director Martin Campbell.

Speaking with MTV News during the press junket for "Edge of Darkness," his upcoming action thriller opening January 29, Campbell dismissed rumors that "Watchmen" actor Jackie Earle Haley was in talks for the role.

"No, that's completely wrong," said Campbell of the persistent rumor. "In fact, we're in negotiations with Mark Strong to play Sinestro."

"He's not only a wonderful actor, but he looks like Sinestro," he added. "If you look up old pictures of Sinestro, he's very like him. The Jackie Earle Haley thing, somebody told me about it this morning; I had never heard it before in my life."

If negotiations pan out, Strong will have a role in not one but two much-anticipated comic book movies, as he also plays mobster Frank D'Amico in Matthew Vaughn's adaptation of "Kick-Ass." However, Campbell didn't stop there — he also offered up a list of characters from Green Lantern's universe making an appearance in the film.

"Well, Kilowog will be," said Campbell. "Tomar-Re is in it. Sinestro is in it. Abin Sur is in it. All the origin people. Carol [Ferris], of course, who will be played by Blake Lively. All the main characters are there, and it's a complex story. The origin story of Green Lantern is complex, probably one of the most complex, which makes it a challenge to get it right."

Sinestro is the mentor of Hal Jordan (played by Ryan Reynolds), who is chosen to become a member of the Green Lantern interstellar corps. In the comic books, Sinestro is later exiled and becomes one of Jordan's greatest enemies by wielding a powerful ring comparable to that wielded by Green Lantern.

It’s been a busy month for "Green Lantern" as young actress Blake Lively was signed to play Carol Ferris, the love interest of Hal Jordan, and Peter Sarsgaard is in talks to play Dr. Hector Hammond, another villain.

It certainly looks like Hal Jordan will have plenty of foes to deal with as either major villains in the first film or introductions of ones who he’ll cross paths with later in the franchise.

What do you think of Mark Strong playing Sinestro?

"Green Lantern" starts production in March and is scheduled to open June 17, 2011.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Sources: Screen Rant, MTV News, The Geek Files