The DCU’s upcoming HBO series, Lanterns, is taking a similar approach to James Gunn’s Superman in how it will approach introducing its titular heroes into the universe. Originally described in a similar vein to True Detective, HBO’s Lanterns series will feature the iconic Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart as they get drawn into an Earth-based murder mystery. The upcoming DCU release already has a lot of notable names attached to the project, including showrunner Chris Mundy (Ozark), executive producer Damon Lindelof (Watchmen, The Leftovers), and DC Comics’ vet Tom King coming in as a writer.
With Guy Gardner appearing in Superman, the franchise is already set to have three Earth-based Green Lanterns, including John Stewart and Hal Jordan. It’s obvious that the DCU wants to feel like a lived-in universe with an already rich history that viewers will get to see unfold onscreen, and the approach being taken with this Lantern roster appears set to help set that tone. This is especially true given Lanterns appears to be following the same path as Superman when it comes to its heroes’ origin stories and how they are communicated.
Lanterns’ Premise Repeats DCU Superman’s Clever Timeline Approach
According to DCU co-CEO James Gunn, Superman will not be a traditional superhero origin story, and instead focus a little later down the line for the Man of Steel. Lanterns’ story promise of new recruit John Stewart working alongside a veteran Hal Jordan suggests this will take a similar approach. Forgoing Hal Jordan’s origin and instead starting with him and Stewart investigating a “murder in the American heartland” – as per the show’s logline description – lets the story start after its conventional origin story point, and subsequently more in the thick of a promising sounding mystery.
Throwing John Stewart into the mix when there are already multiple Earth Green Lanterns will allow him to act as the audience stand-in. Viewers will be able to learn about how the Green Lantern Corps operates at the same time as Stewart and see how his ideologies are different from Hal Jordan’s, which have been shaped by presumably years in the Corps. Skipping Hal’s origin is also a good idea since the first Green Lantern movie flopped at the box office after depicting part of the hero’s story.
Why The DCU Is Best Starting Most Of Its Hero Stories After Their Origin
Origin stories are synonymous with superhero films, and some of the best superhero movies are naturally also origin stories. While this made sense for an audience less versed in the genre, its increased success makes this approach less necessary. As such, the DCU is perhaps better opting out of fully introducing its main characters with origin stories, as for movies like Superman, this can allow the story to be pushed in interesting directions without having to rehash an origin viewers are already familiar with.
Though the Green Lanterns members’ origins aren’t as universally well known, it’s still ideal for Lanterns to follow this same approach when looking at the big picture. When heroes aren’t just starting out and have been around for a while, it helps the universe feel a little more lived in, and a bit more tangible. It also allows writers and directors the freedom to hone in on other interesting points in these heroes’ lives away from their beginnings.
It’s clear that James Gunn and Peter Safran are building a DC universe that already has an extensive heroic history, which can ensure the stories told within it feel fresh. Following this line allows them to drop characters like Clark Kent or John Stewart into the mix alongside experienced heroes and have them be the jumping off point for audiences to see the world of heroes through their eyes without having to adhere to formulaic superhero movie structures. As such, hopefully Lanterns provides a take on Hal Jordan and John Stewart that sets up a unique and exciting future.
