The Green Lantern Corps will soon be shining their lights again in live-action, as HBO has officially begun filming the new Green Lantern series, simply titled Lanterns. Based on what we know so far, the show will focus on several well-known members of the Corps from the pages of DC Comics. Mainly, Hal Jordan and John Stewart, played by Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, respectively. But also confirmed to make an appearance are Green Lanterns Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) and Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen). Here are several other iconic Emerald Warriors we hope to see pop up in this new series.
Alan Scott
The first Green Lantern from 1940, Alan Scott, was originally meant to star in a previous iteration of the Lanterns show. But we still think he should factor into this version in some capacity. As DC Comics’ first Green Lantern, his ring drew its power from magic, not alien technology. But there is no Green Lantern franchise without him, and he should at least play a supporting role. Also, he’s one of DC’s most prominent LGBTQ heroes. So we really hope this Golden Age icon gets a shot at live-action.
Kyle Rayner
If you were a Green Lantern comics reader back in the ’90s, then artist Kyle Rayner is likely your guy. He was the sole Green Lantern in the universe for years during a time when the Corps was decimated. Later, the Corps gives him the nickname “the Torchbearer” for keeping the flame burning during the Corps’ darkest days. Kyle becomes a Lantern after Hal Jordan goes to the dark side and destroys most of the Corps, as Anakin Skywalker did with the Jedi Order. If Lanterns ever adapts that story, then Kyle Rayner needs to be there.
Jo Mullein
One of the most recent additions to the Green Lantern mythos is Sojourner “Jo” Mullein from Earth, back in 2019. She is an African-American woman who keeps the peace in a sector of space so distant, it’s literally off the books. Most of the Green Lantern Corps don’t know the area even exists. Created for the series Far Sector, Jo investigates a murder in a section of the universe where no homicides have occurred for 500 years. The character’s visual look was based on the Afro-futuristic styles of singer/actress Janelle Monáe, so why not just get Monáe to play her for an episode or two?
Jessica Cruz
Jessica Cruz is another recent addition to the Green Lantern mythology, appearing first in 2014. The first human female G.L., she’s also one of the first Lanterns of Latin American heritage, as she’s of Mexican and Honduran descent. Jessica has one of the most interesting backstories of all the Lanterns. This is due to her crippling PTSD after witnessing the murder of her friends, and barely escaping alive. Because of her intense anxiety, the other-dimensional Ring of Volthoom, which is powered by fear, chose her. Eventually, she overcomes this handicap, and is rewarded with a true Green Lantern ring. Jessica has appeared in several animated projects, and will be the lead of the upcoming animated My Adventures with Green Lantern. But we think it would be nice if Lanterns gave us a live-action version at some point.
Simon Baz
Simon Baz is another Earth Lantern, who chooses to do things a bit differently than other Green Lanterns we’ve read about. Unlike his squeaky-clean predecessors in the role of Green Lantern of Sector 2814, Simon got into trouble with the law as a wayward teenager in Michigan. Because of his earlier record (and just garden variety racism), authorities falsely accused Simon of terrorism because of his Lebanese ethnicity and Muslim faith. Eventually chosen to become a Lantern, he refused to rely on only his power ring for protection, also carrying a gun. Eventually, he gave up the gun, around the time he became partners with fellow Earth Lantern, Jessica Cruz. He’d be another great character to explore in the Lanterns series.
Mogo
One of the coolest and weirdest members of the Green Lantern Corps is Mogo, who is also by far the biggest member. First created by then-Swamp Thing writer Alan Moore back in the 80s, Mogo is actually a living and sentient planet. A planet that just so happens to be able to channel the green energy as well. (Talk about OP). In more recent comics, Mogo served as HQ for the Corps after the destruction of their home planet of Oa. Superhero shows are adapting the weirdest aspects of the comics now, so we think Mogo is on the table now. We know this show is going more “grounded,” but who knows where future seasons might take us?
Katma Tui
The planet Korugar is famous as home to Sinestro, the first Lantern to go rogue. Now, imagine having to replace that infamous Lantern on your home planet. That was Katma Tui’s job, tasked with redeeming her home planet’s reputation in the galaxy. Famously, she marries her fellow Lantern John Stewart in the ’80s. She is eventually “fridged,” meaning killed to motivate a male protagonist’s story. Ironically, that’s a term coined for a Green Lantern story that happened later, after Katma suffered the same fate. Maybe she can meet John in Lanterns, and they can get a happier ending than in the comics.
Stel
Stel has a unique position in the Green Lantern Corps as its only non-organic lifeform. Millions of years before they created the Green Lantern Corps, the Guardians of the Universe had a robotic army called the Manhunters. The Manhunter programming went all Terminator, and they killed organic life on a massive scale. Deactivated by their creators, the Guardians harbored a bias against A.I. But Stel was an exception to that rule. The robotic Lantern receives training from Sinestro, which is fodder for all kinds of interesting conflict down the line.
Ch’p
Look, if Marvel can make us all accept and love an alien raccoon as a superhero, then DC can give us a lovable Green Lantern that’s a sentient chipmunk from outer space. Just please… let him keep his bow tie.
Originally published on October 9, 2020.