The Green Lantern Corps just got louder, becauseNathan Fillionis returning asGuy Gardnerin HBO’sLanternsseriesfollowing his debut as the hotheaded Green Lantern in this summer’sSuperman, which hits theaters on July 11, as perEW. Fillion joins previously announced leadsAaron PierreandKyle Chandler, who are playing John Stewart and Hal Jordan, respectively, in theupcoming prestige DC drama.
Lanternsis the first live-action series to be made from scratch under the new leadership of DC —James Gunn and Peter Safran— as part of the new slate, and is being developed as a dark, grounded,True Detective-style mystery set on Earth. The story follows John Stewart as a rookie Lantern recruited into the Corps, who teams up with veteran Hal Jordan to investigate a murder in the American heartland that spirals into a much bigger cosmic conspiracy.
Gunn had previously hinted that “a few other Lanterns” would be “peppered in” alongside Stewart and Jordan—and now we know at least one.Fillion’s Guy Gardner, who will appear inSupermanfirst, will carry over intoLanternsas a recurring presence, likely complicating things for both John and Hal.
“He’s a jerk!” Fillion said toTV Guidewhen describing the character. “What’s important to know is, you don’t have to be good to be a Green Lantern—you just have to be fearless. So Guy Gardner is fearless, and he is not very good. He’s not nice, which is very freeing as an actor.” Fillion also joked that Guy’s “superpower” might be “his overconfidence,” saying, “He thinks he could take on Superman. He can’t!”
What Is ‘Lanterns’ About?
The HBO series will lean into noir storytelling as it follows quite a dark narrative path. As the murder case unfolds, the Earthbound Lanterns uncover layers of corruption and cosmic secrets, with Chandler’s Hal expected to be a grizzled and grumpy mentor to the more idealistic John, played by Pierre.How Guy fits in here could be anyone’s guess at this stage. The series also starsKelly MacDonaldas Sheriff Kerry,Garret Dillahuntas William Macon,Ulrich Thomsenas Sinestro,Poorna Jagannathanas Zoe, andJasmine Cephas Jonesas a younger version of John’s mother, Bernadette, appearing in flashbacks.
Lanternsis part of the first wave of the new DC Universeunder Gunn and Safran, which also includes theCreature Commandosanimated series,Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and Season 2 ofPeacemakeron Max.
Stay tuned to Collider for more updates on the future of the new DC Universe.
