I know of a very dark way that 2025's Lanterns show. Although the brand-new DC Universe from DC Studios is set to begin with the animated series Creature Commandos in 2024, the first live-action movie will be Superman by director James Gunn and will be followed shortly by Lanterns as its first live-action series. To that end, I think I've figured out how the Green Lantern show will be set up by Superman, albeit with a pretty grim twist.
Unfortunately, 2011's live-action Green Lantern movie starring Ryan Reynolds was not received well, and it's largely considered to be one of the worst superhero movies of all time. However, it looks as though Warner Bros. is finally ready to try again with Lanterns, a new live-action and grounded DCU series starring two iconic Green Lanterns. That said, there are some key plot details and casting information connected to 2025's Superman that makes me think the plot of Lanterns will be incredibly dark with a major character's death.
The DCU's Lanterns Will Be Investigating An Earth-Based Murder
Hal Jordan and John Stewart In The American Heartland
At present, details about the Lanterns series are slim, though there have been some pretty exciting announcements in recent months. Firstly, the show is set to follow legendary Green Lantern legend Hal Jordan who will be played by actor Kyle Chandler. Likewise, Jordan will be ed by new rookie John Stewart who will be played by Aaron Pierre. According to Lanterns' official synopsis, the show will feature Jordan and Stewart as they find themselves involved in "a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland."
It's worth noting that Jordan and his fellow human Lanterns in the comics are typically tasked with patrolling Sector 2814. This is a large region of space that includes Earth in their greater jurisdiction, meaning that they don't just protect their own homeworld alone. As such, it does make me wonder why a single murder on Earth would necessitate the involvement of both Jordan and Stewart, especially when there are multiple worlds in need of their assistance and protection. Likewise, Earth is also home to other established heroes, as will soon be revealed in the DCU with Superman which will precede the release of Lanterns.
2025's Superman Will Debut A Green Lantern Already Operating On Earth
Guy Gardner Is Working With Mister Terrific, Hawkgirl, and More
Keeping Superman in mind, it's worth noting that one of Earth's established heroes will be none other than Green Lantern Guy Gardner. Confirmed to be played by Nathan Fillion, Guy Gardner is set to be featured in Superman alongside other heroes such as Hawkgirl (Isabella Merced), Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan), and Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi). Based on their matching uniforms, this group of four heroes looks to be sponsored by Maxwell Lord (Sean Gunn), most likely as the DCU's version of Justice League International. Additionally, set photos and videos have suggested that they may try to recruit Superman onto their team.
All 3 Green Lanterns In DCU Movies & Shows Explained
The DCU will feature a variety of Green Lanterns, making appearances in a number of projects including Superman and the Lanterns HBO series.
In the comics, Guy Gardner originally became a Green Lantern as a reserve officer in case anything ever happened to Jordan, the original human Green Lantern. He was also a founding member of Justice League International. While he is worthy of his Green Lantern ring, Guy is also fairly unlikable, having a very short temper and often butting heads with his fellow heroes. Regardless, the implication that Guy looks to be an ongoing member of the DCU's JLI makes me wonder even more why Jordan and Stewart are being brought in to investigate an Earth-based murder when there should already be an active Lantern ready to respond.
DCU Theory: Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner Will Be Lanterns' Murder Victim
Investigating The Loss Of A Fellow Green Lantern
Keeping all this in mind, I've realized that there's a very dark possibility that Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner will be Lanterns' murder victim. It would explain why Jordan and Stewart are investigating an Earth-based murder, seeing how the victim would be one of their own. Likewise, Guy's death could also explain John Stewart's recent recruitment as a Green Lantern rookie, seeing as how he was originally recruited in the comics to serve as a new reserve officer after Guy was hit by a bus during an earthquake and was in recovery.
2025's Superman. That said, I think it would be a very compelling way to raise the stakes of the show, while also helping to explain the core premise of Lanterns and why it will primarily be set on Earth. Furthermore, it would also generate some prime connectivity between the first live-action movie and series in the new DCU.
Superman is set to release July 11th, 2025, while Lanterns is expected to begin streaming in 2026.
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Superman
- Release Date
- July 11, 2025
- Director
- James Gunn
- Writers
- James Gunn, Jerry Siegel, Joe Shuster
- Producers
- Lars P. Winther, Peter Safran
- Franchise(s)
- DCU
Cast
Clark Kent / Superman / Kal-El
Rachel BrosnahanLois Lane
Nicholas HoultLex Luthor
Edi GathegiMichael Holt / Mister Terrific
Superman: This film follows Clark Kent, a cub reporter in Metropolis, as he navigates the complexities of his dual identity, struggling to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing while embracing his role as Superman.
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Lanterns follows new recruit John Stewart and veteran Hal Jordan, two of the Green Lantern Corps, as they unravel a dark, Earth-bound mystery while investigating a murder in the American heartland.
