Peter Sarsgaard goes big time as 'Green Lantern's' nemesis

'An Education' star will play evil telepath Hector Hammond

By HitFix Staff Tuesday, Jan 12, 2010 7:04 PM

Peter Sarsgaard will play Hector Hammond in Green Lantern

Does that look like an evil psychic to you? Peter Sarsgaard will play Hector Hammond in the upcoming "Green Lantern."

Credit: AP Photo/Carlo Allegri

The Emerald Crusader already has his love interest, Blake Lively, and now he's got an adversary for his big screen debut. Peter Sarsgaard is joining the cast of Martin Campbell's "Green Lantern" as the evil Dr. Hector Hammond.

The disappointing son of a U.S. senator, Hammond gains telepathic and telekinetic abilities after he discovers a mysterious meteor. Ryan Reynolds is already on board as Hal Jordan, a test pilot who finds a dying alien who bestows the ring of the Green Lantern Corps, making him the new guardian of Earth's sector.

Blake Lively was cast as Reynold's love interest, Carol Ferris, last week.

The acclaimed Sarsgaard recently completed production on "Knight and Day" opposite Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz. He's currently shooting the indie "The Ledge" with Terrence Howard and Evan Rachel Wood, but can be seen in theaters in the Oscar contender "An Education." He's best known for his roles in "The Skeleton Key," "Jarhead" and "Kinsey."

According to the Hollywood Reporter, production should begin this March in New Orleans.

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Um. How is the bad guy NOT Sinestro?
January 13, 2010 at 12:40AM EST Reply to Comment
- drew That's an excellent question, Mark...
  January 13, 2010 at 6:40AM EST
Marc Myers

I think they are following the trend started by the makers of the Batman Reboot, by leaving the best villain for the sequel.
January 13, 2010 at 1:20PM EST Reply to Comment
- That a tough one. I don't disagree with your point at all, just the logic behind that way of thinking from the film makers.
  
  Sinestro has stood the test of time because he was the best villain for Green Lantern. Green Lantern, and I know that this might be sacrilegious to us comic book geeks, has the opportunity to be portrayed on-screen as a rather silly character and they might only get one shot at a film - so go all out.
  January 13, 2010 at 3:45PM EST