Although unexpected, the decision to cast an olderDCUHal Jordan is an inspired choice not only forLanternsbut also for James Gunn’s DC Universe as a whole.James Gunn’s upcomingSupermanmovieis introducing the DCU’s first on-screen Green Lantern, Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner. Shortly afterSuperman, the DCU’s"Gods and Monsters"chapter will follow two other Green Lanterns in their own show,the upcomingLanternsthriller series. In it, Hal Jordan and John Stewart will team up to investigate a mystery on Earth.Lanterns' full synopsis is yet to be revealed, but Hal Jordan’s casting might be revealed soon.
The search for the DCU’s Hal Jordan has reportedly begun in early September 2024.Josh Brolin seems to be the top contender for Hal Jordan, with Matthew McConaughey and Ewan McGregor reportedly in the running as well. These are unexpected candidates, as all three actors are over 50 years old, while the DCU’s Superman is in his early 30s andThe Brave and the Bold’s Batman is expected to be in the 30-40 age range. All main members of the Justice League, including the Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart, tend to be the same age in the comics.
An Older Hal Jordan Makes It Possible For The DCU To Explore More Green Lantern Stories
The DCU Could Dive Deeper Into Green Lantern Lore With A More Experienced Hal Jordan
Although casting an older Hal Jordan could mean that the character will retire soon after his introduction, this choice could actually help Hal Jordan’s DCU story. The poorly-receivedGreen Lanternmovie starring Ryan Reynolds centered around Hal Jordan’s origin, making its DCU equivalent rather redundant.Instead of a new origin story, the DCU could explore Hal Jordan’s many other comic book adventures, from his early encounters with Sinestro to his missions alongside other human Green Lanterns to Hal Jordan’s most iconic storylines. Hal Jordan has more than 65 years' worth of comic book stories, so there’s no need to repeat his origin story in live-action.
Already established Green Lanterns provide the perfect chance for the DCU to explore a lived-in universe with plenty of cosmic stories to tell
Besides, an older Hal Jordan also entails a more expansive Sector 2814. If Hal is already in his 50s and Guy Gardner is already teaming up with other metahumans by the time Superman becomes a famous superhero, then human Green Lanterns such as Kyle Rayner, Jessica Cruz, Simon Baz, and Sojourner Mullein probably exist and work for the Green Lantern Corps. Already established Green Lanterns provide the perfect chance for the DCU to explore a lived-in universe with plenty of cosmic stories to tell across several movie and TV titles, whereas starting from scratch could limit the DCU’s Green Lantern Corps.
The DCU’s Young Superman Doesn’t Require Other Characters To Be As Young
Superman’s DCU Journey Doesn’t Have To Start At The Same Point As Other DC Characters
David Corenswet’s Superman will begin his DCU journey as a young hero in a world where many superheroes already exist. Superman’s young age suggests that other DC heroes such as Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Aquaman, and the Green Lanterns are also at a similar point in their superhero careers. After all, Superman is supposed to be the role model for all DC heroes, and he usually pioneers the age of superheroes in the DC universe. However,the DCU won’t kick off the same way the DCEU and the MCU started their respective overarching stories.
Why Guy Gardner Is The DCU’s First Green Lantern & Not Hal Jordan
New casting announcements for Superman: Legacy have revealed that Guy Gardner will be the first Green Lantern of the DCU (and not Hal Jordan).
Superman will likely revolutionize the superhero scene in James Gunn’sSuperman, opposing the old ways of superhero teams like The Authority and what seems to be the Justice League International. Similarly, the Green Lantern Corps may already have a long history of intervening in Sector 2814, with at the very least Alan Scott and Hal Jordan serving the Corps for several years by the time Hal and Jon Stewart appear inLanterns. Likewise, the existence of a Teen Titans team — confirmed bythe announcement of an upcomingTeen Titansmovie— suggests that Dick Grayson and other young heroes have already fought crime for a while.
DC’s Best Green Lantern Stories Feature An Experienced Hal Jordan
Hal Jordan Has Starred In Several DC Comics Storylines That Require Him To Be An Experienced Superhero
Hal Jordan’s origin story has been told and retold a few times in the source material, including his original 1959 appearances, 2008’sGreen Lantern: Secret Origin, and the modernized Earth One comics. ButHal Jordan’s superhero origin isn’t the only interesting part of his comic book history. For instance, Hal Jordan famously turned into the supervillain Parallax in 1994’sEmerald Twilight, where he fought Guy Gardner and the Justice League. Hal then sacrificed himself to stop a Sun-Eater from consuming the Earth’s sun in 1996’sThe Final Night, and then the Spectre resurrected him and chose him as its host in 1999’sDay of Judgment.
After Hal Jordan fully came back to life and became a Green Lantern again in 2004’sGreen Lantern: Rebirth, Hal participated in other important cosmic battles. For example, Hal and the other human Green Lanterns waged war with the yellow lanterns in 2008’sSinestro Corps War, which set up the titular prophecy ofBlackest Night, one of the most brutal DC crossover events starring the Lanterns. Given that Hal Jordan and John Stewart will investigate a mystery in the DCU’sLanterns,it’s possible that the DCU will adaptBlackest Night, with all human Green Lanterns starring in the live-action event.
