The upcoming Green Lantern series set in James Gunn’s DCU is offering the lead role to an actor very familiar with the superhero genre. Aptly titled Lanterns, the DC Studios drama series is being developed by HBO’s Watchmen creator Damon Lindelof and is set to feature Hal Jordan and Jon Stewart as the titular heroes. Well, a new rumor points to Thanos actor Josh Brolin being offered the role of classic DC Comics character Hal Jordan aka Green Lantern.
According to insider Jeff Sneider, Josh Brolin was offered the role of Hal Jordan in Lanterns as early as last Friday. As of this report, the actor has reportedly not accepted the offer yet, but the acclaimed Avengers: Endgame star is poised to take on the role. Of course, this is a rumor and not official, but the timing of the report could indicate official news is on the way. There is no word yet on Jon Stewart, but expect DC Studios to cast someone significantly younger than Brolin, likely in their mid-to-early 20s.
Sneider adds that Nathan Fillion, who’ll appear in Superman as Guy Gardner, is set to reprise the role in Lanterns as well. The report also claims that Stephen Williams, the director behind acclaimed episodes of Watchmen and Westworld, is eyed to direct Lanterns. HBO trusts him and, as a frequent Lindelof collaborator (he also did Lost), it makes a lot of sense Williams is a favorite to helm the series. If the report is accurate, the interesting bit is that they’re going the older route with Hal Jordan, who will seemingly mentor a much younger, less-experienced Jon Stewart in Lanterns.
Green Lantern Series Is Backed by Experienced Talent
With Josh Brolin reportedly playing an older, grizzled version of Hal Jordan, Lanterns follows a space-buddy-cop storyline that will be grounded on earth but has major implications for the rest of the DCU. Officially picked up as an HBO original series, Lindelof will bring back his unique, heavily-thematic sensibilities to the superhero genre after the sensational Watchmen series. He’ll be joined by Ozark showrunner Chris Mundy, who will also pen scripts alongside award-winning comic book writer Tom King. Casey Bloys, the Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, stated the following when the project was first announced (via Variety):
“We’re thrilled to bring this seminal DC title to HBO with Chris, Damon and Tom at the helm. John Stewart and Hal Jordan are two of DC’s most compelling characters, and Lanterns brings them to life in an original detective story that is a foundational part of the unified DCU we’re launching next summer with Superman.”
The Lanterns series will be eight episodes long, and already boasts an official logline: “two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.” If Brolin is indeed Hal Jordan, it opens up the possibility of a younger Jon Stewart being the main Green Lantern of the DCU. Popular fancasts for Jon Stewart include Damson Idris (Snowfall, F1) and Aaron Pierre (Rebel Ridge, Mufasa: The Lion King), but they may be a bit too old for the role, according to the latest report. No matter the case, it’s clear Lanterns boasts plenty of talent behind the scenes, so it’s only a matter of time before actors officially join the series.