As a lifelong Green Lantern fan who has seen more than his fair share of ups and downs with this beloved franchise, I can’t help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation regarding the upcoming DC TV show, “Lanterns.” The prospect of Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart teaming up to solve a murder mystery in the style of “True Detective” is certainly enticing. However, with each new casting announcement, I find myself growing increasingly concerned about the potential lack of representation for supporting Green Lantern characters from the comics.
After over a decade since Ryan Reynolds’ “Green Lantern” movie underperformed both critically and commercially, the opportunity to resurrect the Green Lantern Corps in live-action splendor has finally arrived. The upcoming DC Universe TV series, titled “Lanterns,” features Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, and according to DC Studios co-head Peter Safran, it’s shaping up to be a high-quality event series reminiscent of “True Detective.” While the concept sounds promising, recent casting decisions for the Green Lantern series have raised a particular question: will it heavily neglect the supporting characters from the comics?
The series titled “Lanterns” will soon join Hal and John as they delve into a murder mystery set in the American countryside. This enigma will also intertwine with the main narrative of the DC Universe. Recently, Kelly Macdonald was unveiled to portray Sheriff Kerry, while Garrett Dillahunt from “Fear the Walking Dead” has been confirmed to star as William Macon, a new character crafted for this show. According to reports, Macon is a self-righteous individual who harbors conspiracy theories and hides his relentless ambition under a polished and calculated demeanor.
In the series Lanterns, Macon’s portrayal seems to strongly suggest he may be the antagonist. However, as it’s focused on Green Lanterns, we can expect him to be associated with some larger cosmic threat. The revelation of Macon’s presence stirs curiosity about how extensively comic book lore will be delved into. Given that Hal and John are investigating a murder in the heartland, it might imply limited focus on characters such as Carol Ferris, Tom Kalmaku, and Kilowog among others.
Let me clarify, the thought of “Lanterns” drawing inspiration from “True Detective,” another HBO series you can watch with a Max subscription, is captivating. This is because showrunner Chris Mundy has a background in crime dramas, as seen in Netflix’s “Ozark.” While it’s exciting to envision Green “Lanterns” like Hal Jordan and John Stewart battling villains by shaping things with their willpower-infused rings, I’m eager to see them use their brains more strategically to unravel mysteries. As long as this mystery somehow connects to the cosmic lore of the Green Lantern universe, and perhaps necessitates a journey into outer space at some point, I’ll be thrilled, and I’d even appreciate it more if the investigation delves into the Green Lantern property’s celestial origins.
I’d prefer that the mystery unfolding in the series doesn’t veer too far from what makes Green Lantern unique. While it’s great to have Hal and John as central characters, I also want to see them intermingling with familiar faces from the source material, not just each other. I have concerns that they might only be surrounded by new characters in the show. However, Sheriff Kerry and William Macon are promising additions to the storyline. The show should strike a balance between showcasing these new characters and providing opportunities for those in Hal and John’s professional and personal circles to stand out… except for Guy Gardner, as he’s set to have his own spotlight next year in James Gunn’s Superman film.
I’m optimistic that my concerns will fade as more castings are revealed in the upcoming weeks and months. As of now, Lanterns doesn’t have a release date scheduled, but it’s expected to be filmed in Atlanta, Georgia from January to June 2025. Given the heavy use of visual effects that Lanterns will likely feature, it seems unlikely, though not completely out of the question, that it will air by the end of the 2025 TV season.
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2024-11-02 01:38