Summary

Green Lantern
TV series was canceled in the DCEU transition due to cost and creative differences with showrunner Seth Grahame-Smith.
James Gunn addresses the original
Green Lantern
project, states it was not part of the old DCEU.
New DCU
Green Lantern
series with Hal Jordan and John Stewart to focus on a mystery, Earth-based storyline.

James Gunn has addressed one of the projects that was abandoned in the transition between the DCEU and the new DCU – the original Green Lantern TV series. Between the merger of Warner Bros. and Discovery, and the inception of the new DCU under the control of DC Studios’ joint CEOs Gunn and Peter Safran, there were several projects that ended up on the scrap heap. This included a long-in-development Green Lantern series from Arrowverse creator Greg Berlanti.

The original project was expected to feature several generations of Lanterns, including Alan Scott and Guy Gardner, with other Green Lanterns such as Jessica Cruz, Simon Baz and Sinestro also featuring in the show. However, the cost of the production, as well as creative differences between the studio and showrunner Seth Grahame-Smith, saw the series pulled from the slate, despite eight of its 10 episodes reportedly being ready to start production.

Related Why Green Lantern Deserves to Be a Major Focus in Gunn’s DCU James Gunn appears to have many Green Lantern characters set up in his DCU plans, which is why it could be a major factor in the series’ future.

Checking in on Gunn’s Threads account, one user asked about the Lanterns series and why Finn Wittrock (who was set to star in the show) was “done dirty.” The user wrote:

“[James Gunn] what happened to the original Lantern series that was being developed in the DCEU? It was in development for so long with an amazing cast. Finn Wittrock was involved in the project too. Would you consider casting him in another role in the DCU? Feel like he was done dirty. He’s such a good actor!!!”

Gunn replied directly to the comment, noting that he didn’t believe the project was ever part of the old DCEU, and no one was “done dirty.” He said:

“I didn’t think it was in the DCEU, but it was before my time. That said, I think Finn’s a [talented] boy and he’ll be okay! Writers, directors, actors have projects fall through every day. We’ve all had it happen many times. It’s not being “done dirty,” it’s part of the job.”

A Green Lantern Series is Bringing True Detective Vibes

Among James Gunn’s casting announcements for Superman, it was revealed that regular collaborator Nathan Fillion would be taking on the role of Guy Gardner in the DCU. However, back in January 2023, it was revealed that a Green Lantern series centering on Hal Jordan and John Stewart would also be coming down the line.

Rather than the big-budget spectacle that the original Lantern show seemed to be promising, Safran said during a press conference that the DCU’s shows would be “more of a True Detective – type mystery with our two Lanterns. A terrestrial-based mystery.” Following this, Gunn said at the time:

“Leads into the overall story that we’re telling throughout the different movies and television shows. And we find this Ancient Horror on Earth. And these guy are basically, you know, super cops on precinct Earth.”

Currently there have been no further details revealed about the Green Lantern series, and currently no casting news or release date revealed.