Josh Keaton Talks About Voicing Hal Jordan For “Green Lantern: The Animated Series”
While recently discussing his latest project – the new Spider-Man: Edge of Time video game set to hit all major home consoles on October 4th, 2011 from Activision, Beenox, and Marvel Entertainment – actor Josh Keaton took a few moments to talk about his upcoming stint as Hal Jordan in the forthcoming Green Lantern: The Animated Series with The World’s Finest. Green Lantern: The Animated Series is set to debut on Cartoon Network with a special preview episode in November 2011 before settling down into a regular timeslot in early 2012. Continue below for Keaton’s thoughts on Hal Jordan.
The World’s Finest: Youll be tackling a whole different type of hero when Green Lantern: The Animated Series debuts for a one-hour special in November 2011. Care to fill us in on Hal Jordans space adventures and how he differs from Spider-Man?
Josh Keaton: The show’s going to center around Hal and Kilowog (buddy cop vibe). While Earth will figure into the show, it’s not an Earth based show. The universe is the limit. Spidey’s a neighborhood hero, Hal’s got a freaking massive neighborhood. I see Hal as funny, but not Spidey/jokey funny. I still see him as a military man with a certain amount of military bearing. He’s also a bit more comfortable in his own shoes than Peter.
WF: How true will the Green Lantern cartoon play to the comic mythos? And what of the CGI animation? Do you think itll work for a cartoon such as this?
JK: It’s going to pull from different parts and there will be some new things but the comics are definitely the backbone for the show. I’ve been seeing some final renders and the CG looks great. I can’t wait to watch it in hi-def.
WF: Comparing Green Lantern to Spider-Man is like apples to oranges. Do you find them to be possibly two sides of the same coins, or on completely different ends of the spectrum. Do you find that you have to stretch a little when playing Hal as opposed to a character like Spider-Man (or even Flash in Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths)?
JK: They’re of the same coin but Hal’s definitely different from Spidey. Spidey really tends to think things through whereas Hal has this pretty much unfailing instinct that keeps him out of hot water. I personally tend to approach problems the Spidey way so it was a change to play a character as immediately sure of everything he does as Hal. The humor was also a bit different to pull off. Spider-man is a ham even when you take away spider-pig and Spider-ham. Hal is drier and more off the cuff. Again, I tend to do things more the Spidey way so Hal’s humor took a little thinking.
WF: Your voice work on Green Lantern sounds noticeably different than your work on The Spectacular Spider-Man and Spider-Man: Edge of Time. Is it a plus to be able to stretch and play such characters in such different situations (like Hal in space or Spider-Man time-traveling to save his own life)?
JK: Without a doubt. It’s always fun to get cast in something completely different from what I usually do. Yes, I’ve voiced several superheroes and Hal is a superhero, but most of my roles have been younger (teenage) roles. Hal’s a man. He’s taller than me and has the squarest jaw I’ve everervoiced. I’m also working on a new to Nickelodeon show called Winx Club in which I play an evil wizard. It’s definitely a plus to get to play parts different from my usual. It keeps things fresh and keeps the imagination sharp.
The complete interview is available to view at sister site Marvel Animation Age, along with further additional content on Spider-Man: Edge of Time. Spider-Man: Edge of Time is set to hit all major consoles – Playstation 3, XBox360, Wii, NintendoDS – on October 4th, 2011 from Marvel Entertainment and Activision.
Click here for further details on Green Lantern: The Animated Series. As announced last week, Warner Bros. Television and Warner Bros. Animation have set a special panel for Green Lantern: The Animated Series at New York Comic Con 2011. Information is as follows.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 15
* 10:3011:30 a.m. Green Lantern: The Animated Series World Premiere Screening and Conversation with Bruce Timm World-renowned producer, artist, animator and Comic Con favorite Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series) will be on hand to unveil Green Lantern: The Animated Series, his latest television project from Warner Bros. Animation, coming soon to Cartoon Network. New York Comic Con attendees will be treated to the world premiere screening of this all-new CG action-adventure animated series, and will take part in a moderated Q&A with an animation icon. Room 1A10
* 1:302:00 p.m. Green Lantern: The Animated Series Signing at the DC Comics booth #1254
Based upon the DC Comics super hero, Green Lantern: The Animated Series is an all-new CG animated action series from Warner Bros Animation and overseen by world-renowned producer, artist and animator Bruce Timm. Stay tuned for further updates on Green Lantern: The Animated Series here soon at The World’s Finest.
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