Cancelled HBO Max Green Lantern TV Show Details Revealed by Star: ‘The Scripts Were Great’ (Exclusive)

by

Jeremy Irvine recently told TopMob he was deeply disappointed when HBO Max cancelled the Green Lantern series in 2023, and he shared some new information about the show. Although James Gunn and Peter Safran are planning their own Green Lantern project, titled Lanterns, set to debut in 2026, HBO Max originally intended to create a 10-episode series focusing on the DC hero back in October 2020. Greg Berlanti was set to executive produce, and the show was to be co-written by Seth Grahame-Smith and Marc Guggenheim.

Originally, Irvine was cast as Alan Scott, with Finn Wittrock playing Guy Gardner. But the project stalled and was eventually canceled when James Gunn and Peter Safran decided to start fresh with a new vision for the superhero universe.

TopMob recently interviewed Jeremy Irvine about the cancelled HBO series based on Green Lantern, while he was promoting his new film, Turbulence. He shared that he believed the show had strong potential, saying the scripts were excellent and he had some great ideas for it. Irvine also highlighted that the series featured a compelling story.

I remember being incredibly excited to land the role of Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern, back in 2021 for that HBO Max show. It was a fantastic opportunity to put my own spin on a classic hero – I was really leaning into the older, more mystical side of the character, drawing inspiration from the Golden Age comics. It’s a shame the show didn’t move forward, but hey, that’s Hollywood! If I could talk to James Gunn now, I’d tell him I’m a huge fan of what he’s building with DC, and I’m eager to contribute any way I can – seriously, I’m open to anything in that universe!

I was really disappointed when the project fell through – I think I actually slept on the floor that night! As an actor, you always expect to face setbacks, like getting one tough break each year. This one really hurt because I had a lot of strong ideas for how to approach it. But I’m hopeful those ideas will find a place in a future project. It was a beautiful story, and the writing was fantastic. I really hope it gets made someday, and that whoever takes it on enjoys bringing it to life.

TopMob inquired about any interesting information Irvine could share regarding the canceled Green Lantern series. However, the actor explained he couldn’t reveal anything, as he hopes to collaborate with DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn on a future project.

TopMob: “Are there any fun details you can tease about what we might have seen in that show?”

Jeremy Irvine signed a lot of non-disclosure agreements for a project, more than he usually does. Because of that, he doesn’t want to get into a legal dispute with James Gunn and would actually prefer to collaborate with him again in the future.

It’s easy to see why Irvine was so open about the Green Lantern series being canceled. Landing the role of Alan Scott would have been a huge career move for him. However, his willingness to work with James Gunn’s new DC Universe is encouraging, and could mean fans will eventually get to see his version of a Green Lantern.

Despite being cancelled, the Green Lantern series generated significant buzz during its development. In October 2022, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Warner Bros. altered its plans after Seth Grahame-Smith left his role as writer and co-showrunner. This change also involved a decision to center the story around John Stewart rather than Alan Scott or Guy Gardner. Then, in January 2023, reports surfaced that Berlanti was reducing his involvement with DC superhero shows.

James Gunn and Peter Safran planned for all their DC projects to be connected, so the previously announced Green Lantern series was cancelled. In April 2024, Gunn explained that this earlier Green Lantern project happened before his involvement and wasn’t intended to be included in the new DC Universe.

I initially thought this wasn’t related to the DC Extended Universe, but it seems it was before my time following it. Still, I think Finn is a really talented actor and he’ll recover just fine! Projects fall apart for writers, directors, and actors all the time – we all experience setbacks. It’s just a normal part of the industry, not some kind of unfair treatment.

James Gunn and Peter Safran are moving forward with their vision for Green Lantern. Their series, Lanterns, coming in 2026, will explore the relationship between Hal Jordan (played by Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a murder on Earth. Lanterns is scheduled to debut on HBO Max in 2026.

Will Jeremy Irvine Eventually Play Alan Scott in James Gunn’s DCU?

Jeremy Irvine has expressed strong interest in playing Alan Scott, which is encouraging news for fans. With James Gunn now leading DC Studios, Irvine could be a contender if the studio decides to include the character in its upcoming universe.

Irvine’s comments about the canceled Green Lantern series suggest it had a strong script and a compelling story, leading many to believe it could have been successful if it hadn’t been scrapped.

Ultimately, the future of the DC Universe hinges on how it handles lesser-known characters like Alan Scott. With Guy Gardner already appearing in Superman, it’s likely we’ll see Alan Scott join the mix soon.

The real story of why the original Green Lantern TV show was lost to time may remain a mystery, but it looks like DCU’s new Lanterns series will give the Green Lantern universe a fresh and exciting spotlight.

Read More

2025-12-30 00:06