Denzel Washington could play Green Lantern in 'Batman vs. Superman' movie?

MStars reported three weeks ago that the site ThinkMcFlyThink.com posted an article reporting that the shortlist for the role of Lex Luthor in the Man of Steel sequel known for now as Batman vs. Superman includes Denzel Washington at the top of the list, followed shortly thereafter by Idris Elba (The Wire, Thor, Thor: The Dark World). But a new report suggests that Washington could play a different role altogether.

The site Nuke The Fridge reports that the 2015 sequel could feature the Academy Award-winning actor not as Superman's greatest villain, but as his ally, Green Lantern.

"According to our source, the Training Day actor is being considered for the role of Green Lantern John Stewart instead.  If this proves to be true, Green Lantern will join an ever growing list of members from DC's Justice League of America that also include Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman."

If true, then it is also likely that Washington (or possibly any other African-American actor cast in the role should the film choose to go that way) would play the John Stewart version of the Green Lantern rather than Alan Scott, Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner or Kyle Rayner.

If Washington or another African-American actor does get the role, then it lends credence to the original Think McFly Think article, which addresses the Justice League movie and reveals through an inside source that the plan is to make the team into a "United Nations of Superheroes." Superman (Henry Cavill) would represent the entire planet because he is an alien immigrant to the planet and the leader of the group. Batman would represent the United States with Ben Affleck, an American, in the role. A Hispanic or Latino actor could play The Flash and, as we already know, an Israeli woman (Gal Gadot) will play Wonder Woman. An African-American as Green Lantern adds another layer to the Superhero U.N.

Batman vs. Superman hits theaters on July 17, 2015.