Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Lanterns

  • DC Studios Casts Ulrich Thomsen as Classic Legion of Doom Villain

    DC Studios Casts Ulrich Thomsen as Classic Legion of Doom Villain

    First introduced in ABC’s Challenge of the Superfriends in 1978, the Legion of Doom has since appeared across multiple mediums and become a staple of supervillainy for DC. Originally assembled by Lex Luthor, the Legion consisted of 13 baddies from the rogues galleries of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash and Green Lantern.

    Over the years, different iterations of the team have added and subtracted members and grown the roster beyond the original 13. In any case, the group represents a sinister and serious threat to heroes of the DC Universe. And while it may be years down the road, there’s some chance that the all-new DCU might bring the characters together on the big screen for the first time.

    With Nicholas Hoult already on board as Lex Luthor in Superman, a second key member of the Legion of Doom is now confirmed to be on the way as well. According to a trade report, Banshee and The Blacklist star Ulrich Thomsen has joined Lanterns as Sinestro.

    In Lanterns, it seems Thomsen will be playing the charactsr as “a former Green Lantern who turned rogue and is described as ruthless yet undeniably charming. Sinestro’s manipulative nature drives his enduring obsession with his former mentee, Hal Jordan.” Traditionally, Sinestro has been Jordan’s mentor, making the DCU’s take a fresh one that could provide some unique narrative opportunities.

    Said to play “a really big role leading us into the main story” of DC Studios’ Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, Lanterns was created by what DC Studios’ co-chair James Gunn described as “a crack team of writers” that consists of Tom King, Chris Mundy and Damon Lindelof and was ordered straight to series by HBO in 2024.

    John Stewart and Hal Jordan are two of DC’s most compelling characters, and Lanterns brings them to life in an original detective story that is a foundational part of the unified DCU we’re launching next summer with Superman.

    -James Gunn and Peter Safran

    Lanterns will revolve around Green Lantern Corps members Hal Jordan and John Stewart finding an “ancient horror on Earth.” Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre were cast as Jordan and Stewart, respectively. Word is that Jordan will be a grizzled vet–which makes Chandler a great choice–and that Stewart, played by the up-and-coming Pierre, will be a new member of the Corps working with him as “supercops on Precinct Earth.” Nathan Fillion‘s Guy Gardner, who will debut in Superman, is also reportedly set to play a role in the series.

    We have a few other Lanterns peppered in there but this is really a terrestrial based TV show which is almost like True Detective with a couple of Green Lanterns who are space cops watching over Precinct Earth in it they discover a terrifying mystery that ties into our largest story of the DCU.

    -James Gunn

    Lanterns will begin production this year and is expected to release in mid-2026 on Max.

    Source: Deadline

  • What to Expect from the Future of the DCU and When To Expect It

    What to Expect from the Future of the DCU and When To Expect It

    Beginning in 2024, James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Studios will launch the DC Universe. In an effort to make more cohesive shared universe, the DCU will connect streaming series, video games and films through narrative threads. Though Gunn and Safran are building a new, interconnected continuity, there will still be DC projects produced outside of this continuity (such as Matt Reeves Batman Epic Crime Saga) under the Elseworlds banner.

    What’s next for DC Studios? Who’s recently joined the cast of your most anticipated series or film? Where can you find the teasers and trailers? Look no further, true believers. Everything you need to know about the future of the DCU has been collected for you here. Click on each logo to learn what we currently know about the upcoming DCU projects.

    Chapter One: Gods and Monsters

    Elseworlds

    Projects set outside of the main DCU continuity, the Elseworld projects allow artists to tell stories without attempting to weave them into the DCU’s narrative tapestry.

  • James Gunn Updates DC Studios’ Slate, Reveals ‘Lanterns’ Release Window

    James Gunn Updates DC Studios’ Slate, Reveals ‘Lanterns’ Release Window

    Fans are about to get their first look at the all-new DCU when the seven-episode animated series Creature Commandos debuts on Max in December 5th. Written by DC Studios co-chair James Gunn, the series “tracks a secret team of incarcerated monsters recruited for missions deemed too dangerous for humans” and will introduce the world to a shared universe already populated with heroes and villains.

    Announced by Gunn and co-chair Peter Safran as part of the initial DC Studios’ slate reveal in January 2023, Creature Commandos kept pace during production to meet its intended target date as the DCU’s first project. Superman, starring David Corenswet as the new Man of Steel, was always meant to follow Creature Commandos and is on track to do so. However, following that, the release order of the rest of the slate was always a bit murky, though it has started to take shape over the past several months.

    As always, Gunn has been active in social media and shared updates on the work taking place behind the scenes to get the DCU up and running. As part of those updates, the co-chair revealed that some projects that were part of the original slate reveal are taking longer to develop while others that were not announced are moving ahead. Now, in an interview with IGN, Gunn laid out exactly what fans can expect over the next two years, including the first hint at when Lanterns will hit HBO.

    “It’s really Creature Commandos, Superman, Peacemaker, Lanterns, Supergirl,” said Gunn. “And then some things people don’t know,” he teased. Asked to clarify if Lanterns would stream ahead of the June 26, 2026 release of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Gunn replied “we’ll see when it comes out, but they’re around the same time.” Spring/Summer 2026 it is!

    • December 5, 2024-Creature Commandos (streaming on Max)
    • July 11, 2025-Superman (in theaters)
    • August 2025-Peacemaker, Season 2 (streaming on Max)
    • Spring/Summer 2026-Lanterns (streaming on Max)
    • June 26, 2026-Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (in theaters)

    With Gunn providing a glimpse of what to expect over the next two years, it may be a while before fans learn the identities of the unknown projects he teased. With no updates on announced projects such The Brave and The Bold, The Authority, Booster Gold and more, it’s clear that expectations should be for only a couple of DC Studios’ releases per year for the foreseeable future.

    Source: IGN

  • DC Studios Officially Reveals Its ‘Lanterns’ Co-Stars

    DC Studios Officially Reveals Its ‘Lanterns’ Co-Stars

    DC Studios’ Lanterns is ready for launch. After assembling an all-star team of writers led by Ozark‘s Chris Mundy, DC Comics’ ace Tom King and TV icon Damon Lindelof, the first DCU streaming series quickly began the process of assembling talent on both sides of the camera with an eye of some big time stars filling the roles of co-leads Hal Jordan and John Stewart. After an extensive search that included some A-list turndowns, DC Studios has officially announced the pair of talented actors that will lead the HBO prestige series.

    John Stewart and Hal Jordan are two of DC’s most compelling characters, and Lanterns brings them to life in an original detective story that is a foundational part of the unified DCU we’re launching next summer with Superman.

    -DC Studios’ co-chairs James Gunn and Peter Safran on Lanterns
    Via social media, Max revealed that Rebel Ridge breakout star Aaron Pierre and Primetime Emmy Award-winning actor Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights) have been cast as John Stewart and Hal Jordan, respectively.

    Previously described as a “terrestrial-based investigation story” that “plays a really big role leading us into the main story” in the DCU’s first chapter of stories, Lanterns will revolve around the central characters finding an “ancient horror on Earth.” Word is that Jordan will be a grizzled vet–which makes Chandler a great choice–and that Stewart, played by the up-and-coming Pierre, will be a new member of the Corps working with him as “supercops on Precinct Earth.”

    We have a few other Lanterns peppered in there but this is really a terrestrial based TV show which is almost like True Detective with a couple of Green Lanterns who are space cops watching over Precinct Earth in it they discover a terrifying mystery that ties into our largest story of the DCU.

    -James Gunn on Lanterns

    News of Chandler‘s inclusion in the project was first shared by the THR at the end of September. Pierre had recently been reported to be on the DC Studios’ shortlist for the role of Stewart. Production on Lanterns is slated to being in Atlanta early in 2025 which means the series is likely to find its way to HBO in 2026.

  • DC Studios Lands ‘Penny Dreadful’, ‘Doctor Who’ Director to Helm ‘Lanterns’ Openers

    DC Studios Lands ‘Penny Dreadful’, ‘Doctor Who’ Director to Helm ‘Lanterns’ Openers

    DC Studios’ first live-action streaming series, Lanterns, continues to evolve into a n impressive construct worthy of its two lead ring bearers. Led by what DC Studios’ co-chair James Gunn labeled as a crack team of writers, the project has begun to sound more and more like a potential prestige series for HBO. After nabbing Kyle Chandler to portray Hal Jordan, the studio has narrowed the search for an actor for co-lead John Stewart to the impressive pair of Aaron Pierce and Stephan James. And now it’s being reported a director for the first two episodes has also been found.

    According to THR, James Hawes has agreed to direct the first two episodes of Lanterns. Over a career that has spanned three decades, Hawes has directed episodes of sci-fi staple Doctor Who, Penny Dreadful and, most recently, AMC’s Snowpiercer and Apple TV’s Slow Horses.

    John Stewart and Hal Jordan are two of DC’s most compelling characters, and Lanterns brings them to life in an original detective story that is a foundational part of the unified DCU we’re launching next summer with Superman.

    Though previous reports had the studio targeting HBO’s Watchmen director Stephen Williams to helm the pilot, THR’s report would seem to indicate that either Williams passed or could be working on another part of the series.

    Described by DC Studios’ co-chair Peter Safran as a “terrestrial-based investigation story” in the vein of HBO’s True Detective, the series will be focused on Green Lantern Corps members Hal Jordan and John Stewart who “find this ancient horror on Earth, and these guys are supercops on “Precinct Earth” which will play “a really big role leading us into the main story” of the studio’s initial shared narrative.

    Source: THR

  • ‘Lanterns’: DC Studios Search for John Stewart Reportedly Nearing Its End

    ‘Lanterns’: DC Studios Search for John Stewart Reportedly Nearing Its End

    Lanterns will be the first HBO original series created under the DC Studios banner that will be part of the shared narrative of the all-new, all-different DCU.  Described by DC Studios’ co-chair Peter Safran as a “terrestrial-based investigation story” in the vein of HBO’s True Detective, the series will be focused on Green Lantern Corps members Hal Jordan and John Stewart who “find this ancient horror on Earth, and these guys are supercops on “Precinct Earth” which will play “a really big role leading us into the main story” of the studio’s initial shared narrative.

    Developed by what Safran’s partner James Gunn described as “a crack team of writers” that consists of Tom King, Chris Mundy and Damon Lindelof, the series was ordered straight to series by HBO earlier this year. Shortly thereafter, the studio began searching for a star to portray Jordan and after being turned down by a few big names, landed Emmy-award-winning actor Kyle Chandler for the part. With Chandler on board, the search for Stewart is underway and it seems to be moving quickly. Just hours after a rumored shortlist of actors for the part made its way online, THR’s Borys Kit reported that only two actors are left in contention.

    According to Kit’s report, either Rebel Ridge breakout star Aaron Pierre or Stephan James (Beacon 23 and Selma) is expected to land the role. Additionally, Kit’s sources believe that the casting could be finalized quickly with a decision being made before the end of September.

    John Stewart and Hal Jordan are two of DC’s most compelling characters, and Lanterns brings them to life in an original detective story that is a foundational part of the unified DCU we’re launching next summer with Superman.

    –James Gunn and Peter Safran on HBO’s Lanterns

    Gunn and Safran’s DCU will debut this December with the animated streaming series Creature Commandos but, according to Gunn, kicks off in earnest when Superman hits theaters on July 11, 2025. Fellow Green Lantern Corps member Guy Gardner, played by Nathan Fillion, will appear in Superman, setting the stage for the introduction of Jordan and Stewart when Lanterns hits HBO, presumably in 2026.

    Source: THR

  • ‘Rebel Ridge’ Breakout Star Atop Rumored Shortlist for DC Studios John Stewart

    ‘Rebel Ridge’ Breakout Star Atop Rumored Shortlist for DC Studios John Stewart

    DC Studios has found one half of its buddy space cop duo, having recently landed Kyle Chandler to fill the role of Hal Jordan in the HBO series, Lanterns. With Chandler on board for the “I’m too old for this shit” part of the team, the studio has now turned its attention to landing a star for the role of John Stewart ahead of an expected January 2025 start of principal photography.

    Part of the process of finding an actor for the co-starring role will likely involve readthroughs that will help test for chemistry between Chandler and the potential Stewarts. And while DC Studios almost certainly cast a wide net in its search for the former Marine turned Lantern, a new rumor claims that its narrowed down the choices to an impressive short list of talent.

    According to social media scooper MyTimeToShineHello, Damson Idris (FX’s Snowfall) and Aaron Pierre (Rebel Ridge) sit atop the studio’s wishlist for Stewart while Ted Lasso star Toheeb Jimoh, Sope Dirisu and Kelvin Harrison Jr., who played Martin Luther King in Genius fill out its presumptive top five.

    Once attached to star alongside Mahershala Ali in Marvel Studios’ woebegone Blade, Pierre recently turned heads with a breakout role in Netflix’s Rebel Ridge. Ironically enough, Pierre delivered a star-making performance as a former Marine in Rebel Ridge and now may be staring at stepping right into those shoes again as Stewart.

  • DC Studios ‘Lanterns’ Finds Its Hal Jordan

    DC Studios ‘Lanterns’ Finds Its Hal Jordan

    First announced by DC Studios’ co-chairs James Gunn and Peter Safran in January 2022, the streaming series Lanterns is poised to play a major role in the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. Described by Safran as a “terrestrial-based investigation story” in the vein of HBO’s True Detective, the series will be focused on Green Lantern Corps members Hal Jordan and John Stewart who “find this ancient horror on Earth, and these guys are basically supercops on “Precinct Earth” which will play “a really big role leading us into the main story” of the studio’s initial shared narrative.

    Led by what Gunn described as “a crack team of writers” that consists of Tom King, Chris Mundy and Damon Lindelof, the series was ordered straight to series by HBO earlier this year. Following that news, the studio began searching for big names on both sides of the camera, eyeing Primetime Emmy Award-winning director Stephen Williams to direct the pilot and targeting star Josh Brolin to portray an older, grizzled version of Hal Jordan. With Brolin passing on the role, the studio continued its search for a big star but reportedly had trouble landing an A-lister for the role. With an eye on a January start of production, there was no true rush to find an actor to fill the role; however, according to a trade report, the studio has found its Hal Jordan.

    THR’s Borys Kit and Rick Porter reported that Primetime Emmy award winner Kyle Chandler will be suiting up as the DCU’s Hal Jordan.

    John Stewart and Hal Jordan are two of DC’s most compelling characters, and Lanterns brings them to life in an original detective story that is a foundational part of the unified DCU we’re launching next summer with Superman.

    -James Gunn and Peter Safran on HBO’s Lanterns

    Chandler won his Emmy in 2011 for his portrayal of Texas football coach Eric Taylor in the NBC series, Friday Night Lights. Over the past decade, Chandler has had plenty of other memorable roles, starring as FBI Agent Denham in The Wolf of Wall Street and in both Godzilla: King of Monsters and Godzilla vs. Kong. With Chandler on board, the studio will continue its search for an actor to portray John Stewart, though Elvis star Kelvin Harrision Jr. was recently rumored to be a top choice.

    Source: THR

  • DC Studios Eyeing Primetime Emmy Award-Winning Director for ‘Lanterns’

    DC Studios Eyeing Primetime Emmy Award-Winning Director for ‘Lanterns’

    Co-chair James Gunn described DC Studios’ streaming series Lanterns as playing a “really big role leading us into the main story” of the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. And Gunn and Peter Safran have assembled an incredibly talented group of creators to put the project together. In May, Gunn announced the “crack team of writers” behind Lanterns: DC Comics writer Tom King, Ozark showrunner Chris Mundy and Lost and HBO’s Watchmen creator, Damon Lindelof. Having already put together a team of heavy hitters to create the show, the studio next set out to land some big talent to put in front of the camera, offering the role of Hal Jordan to Josh Brolin. Now, as they wait on Brolin’s decision and continue to prepare for production to kick off, they’ve also begun searching for directors for the series and, once again, have shot for the stars.

    This is a story of a couple of Green Lanterns John Stewart and Hal Jordan.
    We have a few other Lanterns peppered in there but this is really a terrestrial-based TV show which is almost like True Detective with a couple of Green Lanterns who are space cops watching over Precinct Earth in it they discover a terrifying mystery that ties into our largest story of the DCU.

    -James Gunn on Lanterns
    According to Jeff “The In” Sneider, DC Studios has contacted Prime Time Emmy Award-winning director Stephen Williams about directing the pilot episode of Lanterns.

    Williams checks all the boxes as an excellent choice for Lanterns having directed two episodes each of HBO’s Watchmen and Westworld as well as multiple episodes of Ray Donovan, The Walking Dead, and, of course, twenty-six episodes of Lost. A frequent collaborator with Lindelof, Williams would be working from what Gunn described as “a wonderful pilot script and bible” from the creative team. At this time, no other directors have been mentioned for Lanterns, which was ordered straight to series at HBO earlier this year.

  • ‘Lanterns’: New Report Reveals More Stars on DC Studios’ Short List for Hal Jordan

    ‘Lanterns’: New Report Reveals More Stars on DC Studios’ Short List for Hal Jordan

    DC Studios’ Lanterns is shaping up as a major HBO prestige series. With a series “bible” created by a writers’ room loaded with talent, the studio is now targeting Prime Time Emmy Award-winning director Stephen Williams to helm the pilot and star Josh Brolin to fill the role of Hal Jordan, one of the series’ two leads. However, should he pass, it sounds as though DC Studios co-chairs James Gunn and Peter Safran have more big-time talent in mind to bring Jordan to the all-new, all-different DCU.

    Alright, Alright, Alright…

    According to Jeff “The In” Sneider, should Brolin turn down the role of Jordan, Matthew McConaughey is one of at least two big names DC Studios has interest in approaching. Though he has only recently dabbled in superhero fare as the voice of Cowboypool in Deadpool & Wolverine, McConaughey is no stranger to working with HBO on a prestige series. McConaughey’s role as Detective Rust Cohle in the first season of True Detective landed him ten award nominations, making him one of the series’ most recognized talents. McConaughey would be a bold choice for the role of Jordan and would certainly bring with him the requisite charisma and brashness of the former test pilot turned space cop.

    Hello There!

    If McConaughey‘s name appearing on a short list of actors for the role of Hal Jordan surprised you, Ewan McGregor would certainly do the same and then some. Alas, Sneider shared the news that Obi-Wan Kenobi is on DC Studios’ radar for the role of Jordan. McGregor most recently starred in the Hulu series A Gentleman in Moscow and also received rave reviews for his work on Fargo and won a Primetime Emmy for his role in the Netflix limited series Halston.

    While there’s been no official timeline provided by Gunn or Safran, with a casting search underway for the series’ leads, it would seem reasonable to assume that production on Lanterns could begin in early 2025.