It really is an amazing time to be a DC fan. After the disastrous JUSTICE LEAGUE in 2017 things turned around. Earlier that same year the success of Gal Gadot's WONDER WOMAN heralded things to come. 2018's AQUAMAN was a massive hit and last year's JOKER, while not connected to the larger DCEU, shattered box office records and just earned eleven Academy Award nominations. Things look even brighter in 2020 as BIRDS OF PREY is due out next month and WONDER WOMAN 1984 later this year. And that's not even taking into the account the massive success of the CW television shows and the Doomsday Clock series in the comicbooks. Yup. Everything is coming up Milhouse for DC right now.
While a GREEN LANTERN CORPS film is still in the works, news came down the pike in October that writer Greg Berlanti (You, The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, various CW Arrowverse shows) was developing a Green Lantern television show for HBO Max. Since then there's been little to no movement on the show, however we finally have some specific details regarding the direction of the program. Speaking at the Television Critics Association press tour, HBO Max Head of Original Content Sarah Aubrey indicated the show will be vast in scope stating, “It’s going to span several decades and on focus on two stories about Green Lanterns on Earth." There will also be a focus on a third Green Lantern in space “going into the Sinestro story.”
This has to come as welcome news for Green Lantern fans. For those counting at home the show will have not one, not two, but three Green Lanterns in it. The fact that it's taking place over a period of several decades means that we could be getting Lanterns from various eras. I wouldn't be surprised if Golden Age's Alan Scott showed up in addition to Silver Age's Hal Jordan. More than likely John Stewart and maybe even Guy Gardner and Kyle Rayner will pop up as well. The fact that the Sinestro storyline is going to be re-examined is encouraging. Mark Strong was great as the character in Martin Campbell's 2011 movie but I felt he was underutilized. While there's the possibility Strong could return, I'm willing to bet the new cast will be completely fresh to distance itself from the much derided film.
HBO Max certainly is gearing up for some high quality content. They just announced that their upcoming Game of Thrones prequel show House of the Dragon will drop in 2022. In addition, there's an upcoming Aquaman animated mini-series on tap that James Wan will produce. Director Adam McKay is also going to direct and produce a climate change anthology series. HBO on the whole has a pretty proven track record when it comes to quality programming so I'm fairly confident this show will be a success. Although Berlanti does possess the dubious distinction of having co-wrote the 2011 GREEN LANTERN film, I felt its failings had more to do with execution and casting than anything else. Everyone loves a good redemption story so hopefully this will be Berlanti's.
So what do you guys think of this news? What Green Lanterns do you want to see show up and who should play them? Are you worried about Greg Berlanti being a part of the show? Let us know in the comment section below.