DC’sLanternsTV show may come much sooner than I first anticipated, making me even more excited about the project than I already was.Lanternswas first announced in January 2023 as part of theDCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. Since then, many have been looking for more updates about the show, from announcements aboutLanterns’cast of charactersto more details of how the story will tie into the wider story of the fledgling DC Universe.
With the recent announcements that Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre will portray the titular Green Lantners of Hal Jordan and John Stewart respectively, my anticipation for the show only continued to grow. Moreover, I began to expect further updates now that the two leads have been cast, including the shooting schedule and eventualrelease date ofLanterns. To fulfill my wishes, James Gunn recently opened up about the potential release window for the debut of theDCU’s Green Lanterns, and it may be coming sooner than I first thought.
Green Lantern’s Live-Action History Makes The DCU’s Show A Big Deal
The Live-Action History Of The Lanterns Has Been Tumultuous
Firstly, it is worth exploring why I think the DCU’sLanternsshow is such a big deal. The primary reason is the treatment of the source material in the past. While various versions of the Green Lantern Corps have appeared in thetimeline of the DC Animated Universe, for example, the live-action treatment of these characters has been sorely lacking. The most notable instance of this came in 2011 with the infamous box office bomb, Ryan Reynolds’Green Lantern.
My Most Anticipated DCU Show Can Make Up For A Major DC Box Office Bomb
I am very excited about the arrival of the new DC Universe, and the TV series I want to see the most can fix the issues of a major DC box office bomb.
Green Lanternwas poorly received by fans and critics alike and became a box office flop. Produced on a budget of $200 million, the film only earned a worldwide box office total of $220 million, putting an end to hopes of futureGreen Lanternmovies. Aside from the critical and commercial failure of the film, it has become somewhat of a laughingstock in modern Hollywood.
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The star of the film was Ryan Reynolds, who has recently become more synonymous with the Marvel Comics character Deadpool. Since 2011, Reynolds has endlessly poked fun at his time onGreen Lantern, from having theDeadpoolmovies make multiple meta jokes at the former’s expense to outwardly criticizing the film in public. This, combined with the minimal appearance of a Green Lantern inZack Snyder’s Justice League, proves how poorly the characters have been presented in live-action, makingLanterns' success all the more vital.
Lanterns' Release Date Update Makes Me So Excited We Won’t Have To Wait Long For A Green Lantern-Focused Project
As I alluded to, James Gunn recently appeared in an interview withIGN(viaGamesRadar) during which he addressed the release window forLanterns. Gunn confirmed that the only DCU projects in active development areCreature Commandos, Superman, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Peacemakerseason 2, and, of course,Lanterns. The head of DC Studios was then asked aboutLanternsin light of the recent casting announcements, with Gunn revealing that I may not be waiting too much longer for my most anticipated DCU TV show.
It can be implied thatLanternswill be released around the same time as per Gunn’s comments, likely in the summer season of 2026…
Gunn stated"we’ll see when it [Lanterns] comes out, but they’re around the same time,“in reference toSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. This film, starring Milly Alcock, is currently set for release on August 21, 2025. Therefore, it can be implied thatLanternswill be released around the same time as per Gunn’s comments, likely in the summer season of 2026. This is much sooner than I was personally anticipating, though it makes sense given the DCU’s commitment to other showrunners, meaning Gunn is not the sole creative mind behind each project.
Lanterns' Release Update Makes The Green Lantern DCU Timeline Already Look Promising
The Lanterns Have A Set Timeline
Although theLanternsrelease update excites me regarding how soon I’ll get to watch the show, it also makes the timeline of the Green Lantern Corps look very promising before a DCU project has even been released. The reason for this links toGunn’sSupermancast, which is set to include Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner. Gardner is one of the other more prominent Green Lantern members from DC Comics and will be the introduction to the world of the Corps in the DCU onceSupermanhits theaters in 2025.
Superman: Release Date, Trailer, Plot Details & Everything We Know
Superman is the first entry in James Gunn’s much anticipated new DCU, and here is everything we know from cast to story and release date.
Thanks to Gunn’s update aboutLanterns, we now know that the continuation of the DCU’s Green Lantern exploration will continue only a year later. If Gunn’s promise remains unbroken andLanternsdoes release around the same time asSupergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, the two main Green Lantern stories of the franchise thus far will be closely connected timeline-wise. Not only is this exciting for someone like me who desires more Green Lantern live-action stories, but it is also promising in the sense of making the DCU feel more interconnected than past franchises based on these iconic characters.
Lanterns
Cast
Lanterns follows new recruit John Stewart and veteran Hal Jordan, two members of the Green Lantern Corps, as they unravel a dark, Earth-bound mystery while investigating a murder in the American heartland.
