Summary
TheDC Universewill have the iconic Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart co-star in the upcoming TV seriesLanterns, which could be the opposite of the last live-actionGreen Lanternproperty. The Green Lantern mythos is one of the most fascinating corners of the DC Comics universes, providing the mainstream timelines with some of their most beloved heroes, though Green Lantern adaptations, unfortunately, have not been consistently successful. 2011’sGreen Lanternfilm was a critical and commercial failure, negatively affecting better Green Lantern properties and reducing confidence in the IP as a whole.
Green Lantern has long been a staple of DC, but the mythos gained even more popularity in the Silver Age with the introduction of Hal Jordan and the Modern Age with John Stewart. Stewart was a main cast member in theDC Animated Universe timelineand its belovedJustice Leagueanimated shows, and Jordan saw similar success in the tragically short-livedGreen Lantern: The Animated Series. The HBOLanternsshow storyseems poised to take an entirely different approach to theGreen Lanternmythos than the 2011 film, which could make theupcoming DCU releasefar more appealing.
TheGreen Lantern Animated Serieswas made to promote the 2011 film, and while the show is easily one of the bestGreen Lanternadaptations, the film’s failure indirectly led to the show being canceled after one season.
DC’s Green Lantern Series Lanterns Coming To HBO, 8 Episodes Confirmed
DC Studios' Green Lantern TV show in the DC Universe, Lanterns, is officially moving forward, but with a massive change as it moves from Max to HBO.
DCU’s Lanterns Series Is Already Shaping Up To Be The Opposite Of The Previous Green Lantern Movie
The official logline forLanternsreads: “The series follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.” Although Hal Jordan and John Stewart battle villains throughout the cosmos,this description paints a picture of a far more groundedGreen Lanternadaptation, leaning into the “space cop” side of Green Lantern Corps. This is, notably, the opposite of how the 2011Green Lanternfilm depicted the adventures of Hal Jordan.
Despite being based on some of DC’s greatest comic source material,2011’sGreen Lanternwas arguably too special effects and lore-heavy, speeding through Hal Jordan’s origin story and pitting him against Parallax – the embodiment of sentient fear and the entity of yellow fear energy – in his first outing. The film also sped through Hal Jordan and Thaal Sinestro’s relationship, quickly granting the latter his Qwardian Yellow Ring instead of taking time to gradually show his downfall. 2011’sGreen Lanternwas well-intentioned, but it simply lacked the necessary relatability and human elements that endear readers and viewers to the property.
Why DCU Needs A Grounded Green Lantern Story
TheGreen Lanterncomics are epic and high concept, melding superhero fiction with space operas, yetit is the people using the Power Rings that are often more appealing than the grand science-fiction lore. Viewers instantly became attached to John Stewart in the DCAU and Hal Jordan inGreen Lantern: The Animated Seriesepisodesbecause they were layered and likable characters who underwent character development, in addition to having spectacular powers and grandiose battles. By starting with a relatively small storyline and honing in on Hal Jordan and John Stewart as people,Lanternscould succeed where the 2011 film failed.
Lanterns
Cast
Lanterns: John Stewart and Hal Jordan, intergalactic law enforcers, unite in this series to investigate a murder mystery set in the American heartland, intertwining their efforts in the defense of Earth.
