Jon Hamm Dodged Green Lantern Disaster, Still Chasing Marvel Dreams
The Mad Men star wisely passed on Ryan Reynolds' superhero flop while actively pitching himself for Marvel roles. His instincts proved golden as the film became one of cinema's biggest comic book disasters.
Jon Hamm built his reputation playing smooth-talking characters who know how to work a room. Last year's Apple TV series Your Friends and Neighbours added another layer to that persona, casting him as a disgraced hedge fund executive who turns to criminal schemes to maintain his lavish lifestyle. The dark comedy earned solid reviews and returns for a second season this April, marking Hamm's first major starring vehicle since Mad Men wrapped.
Mad Men transformed Hamm from a working actor taking small parts in movies like Space Cowboys and We Were Soldiers into a household name. The advertising drama became appointment television, with Hamm delivering a masterful performance as Don Draper across seven seasons. The show collected 16 Emmys and five Golden Globes, including two Best Actor wins for Hamm himself.
The Smart Pass That Saved His Career
Success opened bigger doors in Hollywood. Hamm started appearing in higher-profile films including The A-Team, Bridesmaids, Baby Driver, and Tag. But in 2011, four years into Mad Men's run, he made a decision that looks brilliant in hindsight. He turned down a role in The Green Lantern.
"That was one I definitely didn't want to do," Hamm explained. "But I've pitched myself for a couple parts of the Marvel universe, I don't want to say what exactly, but it was a part of a comic book that I really liked. I was like, 'Are you going to do this story?' And they were like, 'Yeah, we're actually thinking of that.' I go, 'Good. I should be the guy.' So maybe it'll work out."
Marvel Dreams Still Alive
Despite years of conversations, Hamm hasn't landed that Marvel role yet. He did voice work for Transformers One in 2024, but the big superhero break remains elusive. Meanwhile, The Green Lantern became a cautionary tale about comic book adaptations gone wrong.
The Ryan Reynolds vehicle crashed spectacularly with critics and audiences alike. Its $200 million budget became a massive loss for the studio. The film earned the distinction of being one of the worst superhero movies ever made. Reynolds himself has joked about the disaster countless times since. A James Gunn reboot is now in development, hoping to wash away memories of the original.
Television Dominance Continues
Hamm's instincts proved correct. Instead of getting trapped in a franchise disaster, he continued building an impressive television resume. He appeared on 30 Rock, delivered a chilling performance in Black Mirror's "White Christmas" special, and took memorable roles in both Fargo and Landman during 2024.
His upcoming projects include more Your Friends and Neighbours episodes plus a film called Wilder & Me. The movie pairs him with Maya Hawke from Stranger Things, telling the story of a young musician in 1977 who works with legendary director Billy Wilder. Wilder created classics like Some Like It Hot, The Apartment, and Sunset Boulevard.