DC Boss James Gunn Addresses Lanterns' Most Controversial Decision
by Ryan Scott · /FilmAdd SlashFilm on Google:
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This article contains major spoilers for "Lanterns" Season 1.
DC Studios co-head James Gunn has weighed in on the most controversial decision made in "Lanterns" Season 1 so far. The series, which plays like "True Detective" meets "Watchmen," is DC's riskiest bet yet. And while "Lanterns" has been met with a lot of acclaim, it's also not without its perceived issues. Namely, the death of one of the show's most important characters.
"Lanterns" follows Lantern Corps recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Green Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), two intergalactic cops drawn into a mystery on Earth as they investigate a murder in the American heartland. Spoilers, but Hal Jordan dies in the first episode (specifically, in the show's 2026 timeline). That "Lanterns" Episode 1 twist ending raised all sorts of questions about the DC Universe, but it ruffled more than a few feathers in the process.
A fan on Threads aired their big grievance with the show (one that is shared by quite a few other folks). "Maybe you should try and at least respect the characters that made the comics popular. Killing Hal off right away after we have waited 15 years to see him on screen again was the worst thing you could have done," they wrote. Gunn actually responded to that comment, though, replying:
"Hal's the star of TV series & he's in all the episodes so far. It's more live action screen time than all the live action screen time he's had combined throughout history. Kyle is amazing in the role. We more than respect him. We love him, despite his imperfections. Us knowing the time of his death, if that's exactly what that is, is absolutely not the same thing as killing him off right away."
James Gunn is making no apologies for Hal Jordan's death in Lanterns
"Hal is a big reason why the show is so popular with fans & non fans alike; sorry if you don't like it," James Gunn concluded.
So, there we have it. Gunn is making precisely zero apologies for the death of Hal Jordan. He's also casting at least a little doubt on the character's ultimate fate with the "if that's exactly what it is" line. Be that as it may, this is a creative decision that Gunn isn't backing away from.
Hal Jordan is a character many associate with the Green Lantern moniker, so having him killed off in "Lanterns" was a big choice. What's more, it's becoming increasingly clear that the DCU is going to lean heavily on Aaron Pierre's John Stewart. Indeed, Pierre's Green Lantern is already set to appear in Gunn's "Superman" sequel "Man of Tomorrow," which hits theaters next summer. Barring a surprise, however, Chandler's Hal Jordan won't be part of those proceedings.
Whether you love or hate the direction taken by "Lanterns," it's hard to argue against the bold choice of killing off Hal. On top of that, the show has completely changed John Stewart's Green Lantern story, which has led to even more division within the DC Comics fanbase. This series is very much not playing it safe, for better or worse, and while Chris Mundy is the showrunner on "Lanterns," Gunn is the head of DC Studios alongside Peter Safran. So, it's ultimately Gunn's circus, and rather than backing away from a choice that has caused some consternation, he's doubling down. Naturally, viewpoints may change as Season 1 comes to a close, but Gunn is (excuse the pun) sticking to his guns.
"Lanterns" is streaming now on HBO Max.