HBO’s Green Lantern Show Set In James Gunn’s DCU Is Officially Fixing A 26-Year DC Problem

The upcoming HBO series, Lanterns, is quickly becoming one of the most anticipated projects in the new DC Universe, and it’s easy to see why. While James Gunn’s reimagined universe promises fresh takes on classic characters, the decision to finally focus on Hal Jordan (played by Kyle Chandler) is generating a lot of buzz, as fans have been waiting for his story to be told.

Hal Jordan isn’t just another superhero with a powerful ring. First appearing in 1959, he took over from the original Green Lantern, Alan Scott, and completely changed what the role meant. He brought a science fiction edge, incredible bravery, and a strong link to the larger Green Lantern organization, setting the standard for all those who came after. Jordan didn’t simply continue a legacy; he essentially created it anew.

As a lifelong DC fan, it’s always baffled me that Hal Jordan, arguably the most recognizable Green Lantern, hasn’t really gotten his due in movies and TV shows. While other heroes have been everywhere, he’s been strangely absent. I’m really hoping the new Lanterns series finally fixes that! Honestly, how they use Hal Jordan and where they place him in the revamped DC Universe is what I’m most excited – and curious – about. It’s a huge question mark, and that makes the show even more appealing to me.

Hal Jordan Was Left Out Of DC’s Two Main Shared Universes

The Definitive Green Lantern’s Absence From DC’s Biggest Universes Has Been A Long-Standing Problem

As a huge DC fan, I’ve always thought Hal Jordan is Green Lantern – he’s the one who immediately comes to mind for most people. It’s really strange to me that he’s been left out of both the big DC movie universe with Zack Snyder’s films, and the animated DC Animated Universe. Considering how important Hal is to the whole Green Lantern story, and how many fans see him as the Green Lantern, it’s surprising his on-screen appearances have been so limited.

John Stewart, voiced by Phil LaMarr in the Justice League animated series, became a defining version of the Green Lantern character and helped introduce the Green Lantern Corps to a wide audience. His popularity, however, came at a time when Hal Jordan was largely missing from the main storylines of the DC Animated Universe, only appearing briefly in episodes of Superman: The Animated Series and Justice League Unlimited.

The same thing happened when the movie was actually made. Zack Snyder intended to include John Stewart, played by Wayne T. Carr, in his version of Justice League. They even filmed the scene, but it was removed in the final cut, completely eliminating the Green Lantern appearance. Interestingly, Hal Jordan – the Green Lantern most fans know – never showed up in any of Snyder’s films.

For years, both in animated and live-action DC projects, Jordan’s Green Lantern has been surprisingly absent. While other Green Lantern stories thrived, this iconic character – who played a huge role in shaping the universe’s history – was consistently overlooked. Now, with the new Lanterns series, there’s an opportunity to finally give him the spotlight he deserves and restore his important place in the DC universe.

Lanterns Is Shining The Spotlight Back On Hal Jordan

The New Series Finally Gives Hal Jordan The Focus He Has Missed For Decades

One of the most promising parts of the Lanterns project is its focus on Hal Jordan. After more than ten years, a major DC movie or show is finally highlighting how important he is to the Green Lantern story. This is a clear effort to get back to the core of the franchise, putting the character most associated with the Green Lantern Corps in the spotlight.

The series will include John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre, but Jessica Cruz’s character, played by Cailee Spaeny, appears to be central to the story. The show is described as a realistic, investigative drama focusing on the partnership between the two most well-known Green Lanterns. This approach will appeal to comic book fans, as it reflects the classic Hal Jordan and John Stewart team-up that defined the Green Lantern comics for many years.

This new approach finally addresses a persistent issue. Past Green Lantern adaptations often focused on Kyle Stewart or completely ignored the Green Lantern Corps. By bringing Hal Jordan back as a central character, Lanterns honors his history and hints at a larger shift in direction for the DC Universe.

The Green Lantern Corps is at its best when it features a team of diverse Lanterns, each with their own unique personality and style of upholding the law across the universe. The contrast between Hal Jordan’s confident, daring attitude and John Stewart’s focused, meticulous approach is a powerful combination that DC hasn’t truly showcased in its films and shows – until now.

Ryan Reynolds’ Green Lantern Failure Made DC Scared Of Hal Jordan

The 2011 Movie’s Backlash Pushed DC Away From Using Hal Jordan For Years

Before the upcoming Lanterns series, Hal Jordan did appear in a live-action movie, but Ryan Reynolds’ portrayal unexpectedly complicated things. The 2011 Green Lantern film was meant to kick off a large-scale space-based franchise, but because it wasn’t well-received, DC changed its plans and Hal Jordan wasn’t featured prominently for a long time.

The film faced problems with its overall feel, special effects, and storyline, leading to harsh criticism that impacted DC’s choices for the rest of the decade. Unlike other heroes who got another try, actor Ryan Reynolds became strongly associated with a major superhero flop. This negative response seemed to lead DC to believe audiences weren’t interested in seeing Hal Jordan on screen.

This view significantly impacted the Snyderverse, leading to the complete exclusion of Hal Jordan. Even when Zack Snyder intended to introduce a Green Lantern in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, the studio chose John Stewart instead. Hal wasn’t even considered for a brief appearance, highlighting how much the 2011 movie had hurt his chances of appearing in a live-action film.

For more than ten years, DC was hesitant to revisit the 2011 film, which they felt was a failure, and this kept Hal Jordan from returning to his central role. Rather than dismissing the film as a one-time mistake, the studio distanced itself from one of its most important characters. Lanterns is the first real effort to restore Hal Jordan’s image and demonstrate that he can thrive with the right creative approach.

Hal Jordan’s DCU Future Is Still Worrying

Lanterns Might Bring Hal Jordan Back Only To Set Up A Darker Fate

It’s great that Hal Jordan is coming back in Lanterns, but his role in the larger DC Universe is still unclear, and some fans are concerned. Early ideas about the show hint that Jordan might face a difficult path, potentially leading to his death or even a turn towards villainy.

Recent speculation about the Lanterns trailer suggests the upcoming DC Universe might explore the Parallax storyline, a well-known and dramatic arc from Hal Jordan’s comic book history. If the DCU introduces this story early on, it could set Hal Jordan up to eventually become a villain. That would be a surprising move for a character fans have been eager to see accurately portrayed on screen for years.

It’s also possible Jordan and Stewart won’t be equals in the new DC Universe. If Hal Jordan’s purpose is simply to establish John Stewart as the main Green Lantern, his story might end quickly, perhaps with a dramatic or even tragic sacrifice to make the new universe feel more important.

Even though the creators say they’ll stay true to the character, the upcoming Lanterns series could still use Hal Jordan’s return to set up a surprising new direction. Fans are hoping to see Hal Jordan brought back as the hero they know, and not as a character who quickly meets a tragic end or gets lost in a larger, darker storyline for the DC Universe.

It’s great to see Hal Jordan taking a central role in the Green Lantern stories, and fans are really excited about it. However, there’s some worry that this positive change might not last, and he could be sidelined again soon.

2025-12-06 14:00