The DC Comics universe is expansive and vibrant, with countless planets facing threats that demand superhero intervention. As an outerworldly police force, the Green Lantern Corps patrols every world in the cosmos. Wearing domino masks and wielding their iconic power rings, these heroes can manifest anything their imagination and willpower allow. That said, will HBO’s new superhero show Lanterns captivate fans of the DC Universe?
A Gritty Galactic Detective Story
While the Green Lantern’s oath defines their mission, it also activates their enchanted rings. Their mantra – “In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil’s might, beware my power, Green Lantern’s light!” fuels their resolve and underscores their commitment to justice all over the galaxy. Currently in production, HBO’s Lanterns combines the high-concept appeal of intergalactic space officers with the grounded, gritty tone of a prestige detective series.
Known for his roles in Friday Night Lights and Bloodline, Kyle Chandler takes on the role of Hal Jordan, a veteran Green Lantern nearing retirement. Aaron Pierre, known for his role in Rebel Ridge, The Underground Railroad, and Genius, portrays John Stewart, the rookie Lantern set to replace Jordan. Teaming up, the duo investigates a murder in Nebraska, uncover deeper mysteries, and confront personal reckonings along the way. Blending cosmic adventure with noir-inspired storytelling, Lanterns promises a fresh take on the Green Lantern mythos.
The Team Behind Lanterns
Furthermore, writer and showrunner Chris Mundy is at the helm of Lanterns. As an Emmy-nominated veteran of crime dramas, Mundy is best known for his work on Ozark during its acclaimed four-season run. Moreover, he also served as an executive producer for the Jodie Foster season of True Detective. Although the director is new to comic book storytelling, DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran brought him on board.
Ultimately, Chris Mundy was excited to combine the grounded, human elements of HBO dramas with the expansive mythology of the Green Lantern universe. Finding the merging of these two worlds challenging yet exciting, he focused on creating a layered, character-driven series that offers a fresh, compelling narrative while honoring the source material.
The tones of True Detective and Slow Horses were used as inspiration for Lanterns with James Hawes, director of Slow Horses Season One, directing its initial episodes. With this approach, the series aims to distance itself from the poorly received 2011 film, Green Lantern, starring Ryan Reynalds, who has humorously downplayed the project over the year. Additionally, the series won’t adopt a specific storyline from the 85-year history of Green Lantern comics but will deeply immerse itself in the spirit and rich lore of the franchise. Not only that, but the series aims to honor the legacy of those who have contributed to the Green Lantern mythos.
Origin Story of Green Lantern Character
The Green Lantern legacy began in 1940 with a magic-based superhero named Alan Scott. During the Golden Age of Comics, Martin Nodell and Bill Finger created the character. In 1959, the franchise had been reimagined to include a sci-fi approach, introducing test pilot Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps concept. Later introduced in 1971, Dennis O’Neal and Neal Adams, known for their bold engagement with real-world social issues, created the John Stewart character.
Upcoming DC Project Follows Green Lantern
Recently, James Gunn shared a first look at the upcoming DC Universe project on his social media. In the post, Gunn introduces fans to the highly anticipated HBO Lanterns series. Alongside Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, the series boasts an ensemble cast, including:
- Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry
- Garret Dillahunt as the modern cowboy William Macon
- Poorna Jagannathan as John’s potential love interest, Zoe
- Ulrich Thomsen as the iconic Green Lantern villain Sinestro
On X, James Gunn also confirmed that production for Lanterns has officially begun. Notably, its first season will consist of eight episodes. In other news, the development of other DC projects, including the animated series My Adventures With Green Lantern, a spin-off of the popular Max series, has begun. Although no release date has been announced, the series is generating significant buzz among fans.
