The Main Character of DC’s Lanterns Series Isn’t Who You Think (& That’s Great)

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In the fresh DC movie universe, Superman introduced some characters and ideas, including the celestial guardians referred to as Green Lanterns. Nathan Fillion’s portrayal of Guy Gardner was just as grumpy yet endearing as in the comics, and soon audiences will encounter more figures from the Green Lantern Corps in DC’s upcoming show Lanterns. Although there are many mysteries surrounding Lanterns, director James Gunn has shed light on one specific element of the series in a recent interview with CBS Mornings – the main character of the series is not who you might assume.

As a die-hard movie fan, I must say that during the interview, the focus was primarily on Superman. However, James Gunn did touch upon the rest of their upcoming lineup. When he delved into the Lanterns, an intriguing detail emerged: although Hal Jordan is one of the main characters, he’s not the central figure in the series. Instead, as Gunn put it, “It’s John Stewart’s narrative, in many ways, but with those other characters” woven in.

It’s not suggesting that Jordan and Gardner won’t play significant parts, but it seems Stewart is poised for a spectacular debut in the show, given the depth and complexity of his character, family, and connections with the Corps as portrayed in the comics. This development is advantageous all around.

This project will blend elements of true crime stories and science fiction, focusing on revisiting fundamental aspects of the Green Lantern corps, who serve as the cosmic police force in a vast universe containing countless sectors beyond Earth. The tone for this story is set to differ from other DC projects like Superman, adding an exciting twist for creator James Gunn as he constructs this unique universe.

At a press conference, Gunn discussed the shift in atmosphere he intends to showcase across this universe, revealing a variety of distinct tones and styles. “It’s fascinating because it ties into Superman,” Gunn explained. “With Guy Gardner involved, and then these Green Lanterns over here, there’s such a contrast compared to the tone of Superman.

Gunn expressed his vision for the DCU as bringing together diverse films and TV shows that each maintain a link to a unified universe while possessing distinctly unique tones.

The cast for Lanterns has been unveiled, boasting an impressive lineup featuring Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry, Jason Ritter as Billy Macon, Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe, Garret Dillahunt as William Macon, Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro, Nicole Ari Parker as Bernadette, Sherman Augustus as John Senior, J. Alphonse Nicholson as Young John Senior, Chris Coy as Waylon Sanders, Michael Ocampo as Deputy Lopez, Romeo Brown as Aaron Stewart, Paul Ben-Victor as Antaan, Jasmine Cephas Jones as Young Bernadette, Kamy D. Bruder as Surly, and Kent Shocknek as News Anchor.

As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to share that I am part of the team behind the upcoming series “Lanterns.” While I’m not the one holding the reins as showrunner (that honor goes to Chris Mundy), I have the privilege of working alongside esteemed writers like Tom King and Damon Lindelof, who are co-writing and serving as executive producers. The icing on the cake is James Hawes, another executive producer, who will be directing the first two episodes. This lineup promises an unforgettable cinematic experience that I can’t wait to be a part of!

Lanterns is expected to debut in 2026.

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2025-07-20 00:09