Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King are bringing a grounded approach to the Green Lantern mythos with their new series, Lanterns. The show aims to present an “entirely different kind of superhero” by delving into the character’s origins, moving away from the spectacle often associated with the character.
Key Facts
- The new DCU series is titled Lanterns.
- It features a grounded take on the Green Lantern character.
- Creators include Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King.
- Kyle Chandler stars as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart.
- The series premieres Sunday, Aug. 16.
New DCU ‘Lanterns’ Series Offers Grounded Take on Green Lantern
As part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s newly expanded DCU, Lanterns offers a more grounded take on the Green Lantern comics.
This approach may surprise audiences familiar with the Ryan Reynolds film from 2011, which received poor reviews. For co-creators Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, the series focuses on the original iteration of the character.
Lindelof stated that the creative team wants to tell original and relevant stories, encouraging risks that feel like they have real emotional stakes.
The show follows Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, as he mentors John Stewart, portrayed by Aaron Pierre. The narrative takes a dark turn when unexplainable deaths lead them to a small town in Nebraska.
Creative Team Behind ‘Lanterns’
Tom King brings a wealth of experience as a comic book writer to the project, while Damon Lindelof is known for creating the acclaimed TV series Watchmen. Chris Mundy, who served as showrunner on Ozark, is new to the comic book world but sees Watchmen as a touchstone.
Mundy explained that if Lindelof hadn’t been involved, he would have used Watchmen as a model for creating an emotional show about real people while still honoring the source material. He noted that the series aims to be emotionally resonant and grounded in reality.
Artistic Freedom and Fan Expectations for ‘Lanterns’
In addition to its grounded approach, Lanterns shares similarities with Watchmen in its exploration of themes like race, colonization, and justice. King highlighted that Watchmen, in the 80s, set a standard for comic book writers to tackle such complex issues within superhero narratives.
Lindelof acknowledged the challenge of navigating fan expectations, stating that fandom is not a monolith and that some fans desire edgier, revisionist storytelling while others prefer adherence to established beloved elements. He assured that while storylines must align with Gunn and Safran’s vision for the DCU, the team has significant artistic freedom.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new DCU series about?
The new DCU series, Lanterns, offers a grounded interpretation of the Green Lantern comics. It focuses on Hal Jordan and John Stewart and delves into a darker narrative involving unexplainable deaths, aiming to present a different kind of superhero story.
Who is working on the ‘Lanterns’ series?
The creative team behind Lanterns includes comic writer Tom King, Watchmen TV series creator Damon Lindelof, and Chris Mundy, known for his work as showrunner on Ozark. The series is part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s expanded DCU.
What can fans expect from the ‘Lanterns’ series?
Fans can expect a grounded narrative that explores themes of race, colonization, and justice, similar to the Watchmen series. The creators have artistic freedom to tell the story their way, while still adhering to the overarching vision for the DCU.
When does ‘Lanterns’ premiere?
The series Lanterns is set to premiere on Sunday, Aug. 16. This date marks the launch of a new direction for the Green Lantern character within the DC Universe.
