There are rumors floating around about Bradley Cooper. Is he going to be the Green Lantern? I hope so. There are numerous reasons Mr. Cooper deserves this chance to launch a comic book franchise. But I’m not entirely without reservations, either. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of Bradley Cooper making the transition into becoming a superhero, and possibly a superstar:

Pros

1. He’s intensely likable.
Even when he’s playing a jerk (Wedding Crashers, He’s Just Not That Into You), Bradley Cooper is great fun to watch. For an actor, launching a superhero franchise is a test of charisma (see: Iron Man). Cooper has an eternal twinkle in his eyes and carries the same brand of mischievous, cocky charm that’s working so well for Star Trek’s Chris Pine. It shouldn’t be hard for audiences to fall in love with this guy.

2. He’s paid his dues.
Bradley Cooper is one of those actors who’s legitimately worked his way up to the ranks of leading man. He’s done the supporting role on a hit TV show thing (Alias). He’s done the lead role in a failed sitcom thing (Kitchen Confidential). He’s done the all-star ensemble movie thing (He’s Just Not That Into You). And he’s played wingman to everyone from Jim Carrey (Yes Man) to Matthew McConaughey (Failure to Launch). If Green Lantern works out for him, it will be a hard-earned success. Also, the fact that he’s an experienced actor can’t hurt when it comes to his performance. Casting major stars in superhero roles usually doesn’t work because the movie becomes more about the actor than the character. And casting complete unknowns is a risk that doesn’t always pay off (see: Routh, Brandon). Cooper is probably about as famous now as Tobey Maguire was before he did Spider-Man. He’s proven his acting chops, but still isn’t too famous to lose himself in the character.

Cons

1. Was he really born to lead?
This is my own big reservation about Bradley Cooper attempting to step into this role. Some actors are just better in supporting roles (Mark Ruffalo and Paul Bettany are two examples). Cooper is getting strong buzz for his lead performance in the upcoming comedy The Hangover, but it’s obvious that even though he’s technically the lead, this is a buddy comedy that hinges on the chemistry between him, Zach Galifianakis, and Ed Helms. Cooper has never really had to carry a film by himself before. Part of me is worried he might be too selfless an actor to hog the spotlight the way a superhero role requires you to do. Maybe this would be too big a leap for him. But the fact that the only “con” I can come up with for casting Bradley Cooper as the lead in a potential blockbuster is that he’s selfless makes me want him to succeed even more.

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