HBO's new Lanterns series is set to expand the DCU, but so far, the show feels very different tonally from any superhero show to date. James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU is beginning to take shape with a handful of TV show seasons, and the Superman movie already available to watch. However, all three of the currently released projects have been written by Gunn himself.
Lanterns marks the first entry that has been largely created and shaped by others, which already distinguishes it from projects like Creature Commandos and Peacemaker, but with the first looks at the show, and comments from creatives, it's becoming harder to imagine precisely what the show will look like compared to other entries in the superhero genre.
Lanterns Is Not What You'd Expect From A Green Lantern Show
In a superhero TV show, there is an expectation to see lots of fantastical elements that take it from a grounded story into the world of the super and extraordinary. So, with a show that follows two of the most famous Green Lantern's to ever wear the ring, John Stewart and Hal Jordan, it follows that Lanterns would be equally based in fantasy.
However, everything that has been shared from Lanterns up to this point has avoided showcasing powers, or anything that even remotely resembles magic. Neither of the main characters have donned their superhero outfits, and beyond that, it just kind of looks like most dramas that appear on HBO.
How Much Green Lantern Action Will There Be In Lanterns?
That being said, it's almost certain that the show will lean into the superhero elements of these characters, not least because the series will see the return of Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner from the Superman movie, who has already established himself as a character who uses his powers frequently and loosely.
In addition to an array of members of the Lantern Corps., the show will likely feature major confrontations between heroes and villains, but it is possible that these will be reserved for later on in the series rather than becoming the backbone of the show.
Lanterns Is An Unusual But Exciting Take On Green Lanterns
As far as the creatives involved in the making of the show are concerned, they have frequently compared Lanterns to being akin to True Detective, as a grounded, gritty, and intense crime drama, but with sci-fi and space elements that place it in the world of superheroes like the Justice League.
In all honesty, shows that blend genres with the superhero element end up becoming all the more interesting for it. For instance, blending superheroes with comedy, drama, crime, politics, and more has proven incredibly dynamic and intriguing as a way to reinvigorate the core genre.
With all of that in mind, it's an exciting prospect that Lanterns is looking to make something different, subverting expectations, and adding layers that will ultimately improve the wider DCU.