Nathan Fillion Joins HBO’s Lanterns: What You Didn’t See Coming!

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Summary

  • Lanterns is HBO’s fifth project in James Gunn’s DC Universe, starring Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre.
  • Nathan Fillion joins Lanterns as Guy Gardner, adding mystery to his role in the Earth-based murder mystery plot.
  • Lanterns’ grounded tone and lack of sci-fi elements may disappoint fans, but James Gunn’s endorsement promises quality.

The production of Lanterns has already surpassed a month, sailing smoothly and keeping pace with its timeline. However, the most recent addition to the HBO series should come as no shock to those following the advancements in the world of Superman and James Gunn’s extensive DC Universe.

HBO’s upcoming series titled “Lanterns” is the fifth production under James Gunn’s revamped DC Universe, and it follows two previously announced TV shows, “Creature Commandos” and the second season of “Peacemaker“. In “Lanterns“, Kyle Chandler portrays Hal Jordan, a long-standing member of the Green Lantern Corps, while Aaron Pierre plays his recruit, John Stewart. The series creators describe it as an Earth-set murder mystery unfolding in the heartland of Nebraska, focusing on the Green Lantern Corps.

Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner is Lanterns’ Newest Addition

The Scale of His Involvement Remains A Mystery

Previously, there had been no mention of Nathan Fillion’s character, Guy Gardner (a secondary Green Lantern character), in the HBO television series. However, according to The Hollywood Reporter, this mystery has been resolved: Nathan Fillion will indeed be playing Guy Gardner in the upcoming series “Lanterns”, although the specific details of his role are yet to be revealed.

In the last month, Fillion has become the latest addition to an expanding group of actors who have joined the show. Notable newcomers include Nicole Ari Parker as John Stewart’s mother Bernadette, Jasmine Cephas as a younger version of Bernadde, Jason Ritter as Billy Macon, and Garret Dillahunt as Billy’s father. Fillion’s arrival has sparked much speculation among fans about Gardner’s role in the Green Lantern storyline. Some theories propose that he may be the deceased individual whose death sets off the events leading to Jordan and Stewart’s investigation, potentially killed by Ulrich Thomsen’s Sinestro.

Fillion’s inclusion is noteworthy for two reasons. Firstly, Gardner’s unconventional and quirky character — as seen in Superman trailer snippets — contrasts with the grim and gritty tone typically associated with Green Lantern series. Secondly, his arrival raises doubts about the show’s connection to the wider DCU, especially considering previous statements from showrunner Chris Mundy that the show is not part of the DCU’s larger narrative plan, and that Season 1 was intended as a standalone story without any universe-building elements.

Discussions about the connectedness of the universe in the show might be irrelevant if its narrative and atmosphere don’t resonate with DC fans, which appears to be a significant issue with Lanterns. This controversy arises due to filmmaker James Hawes’ remarks to Collider, stating that the show doesn’t require “additional sci-fi sparkle,” focusing instead on a more tangible setting. The series’ intended realistic tone, supported by a sneak peek image showing the Lantern duo in casual attire, is causing discomfort among some fans. The hope that Lanterns would offer the same interstellar journeys as the 2011 Green Lantern film and the Guardians of the Galaxy series, seems to have diminished following Hawes’ comments.

The quality of the lanterns is a topic of its own. Given that Gunn, who cherishes the cosmic realm through his Guardians of the Galaxy movies, approved the show and deemed it as having a strong script, this should be convincing for anyone worried that fewer space battles in a Green Lantern production might imply poor quality.

Lanterns has not announced an official release window at the time of writing.

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2025-04-01 16:59