It’s official! On Wednesday, DC Studios co-head James Gunn confirmed that Kyle Chandler has been cast as Hal Jordan/Green Lantern in the upcoming HBO live-action series Lanterns. The Emmy-winning actor had been in talks for the role for some time. Alongside Chandler, fans will also see Aaron Pierre (Rebel Ridge) in the show as John Stewart/Green Lantern.
Chris Mundy will serve as the showrunner and one of the executive producers for the series. He is best known for his work on Netflix’s Ozark. Mundy will also co-write the show with Tom King (Supergirl) and Damon Lindelof (The Leftovers). James Hawes (Slow Horses and Black Mirror) will direct the first two episodes.
Lanterns will have eight episodes. The series is being produced by HBO in association with DC Studios and Warner Bros Television.
Chandler is best known for his work in The Wolf of the Wall Street, Carol, Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs. Kong, and more. He is also starring with Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx in Netflix’s upcoming action comedy, Back in Action.
Josh Brolin was DC Studios’ first choice for Hal Jordan in Lanterns. However, things didn’t work out with him but he did praise Chandler’s selection as Hal Jordan recently. “It’s working out. Who is it going to be, Kyle Chandler? I love him as an actor, I think he’s wonderful, actually. And, you know, we’ll see what’s down the line, man.”
Hal Jordan, introduced by Gil Kane and John Broome in Showcase #22 (1959), is the second character in the comics to take on the mantle of Green Lantern. He is also one of the original members of the Justice League.
Lanterns centers on rookie John Stewart and veteran Lantern Hal Jordan, two cosmic law enforcers who are pulled into a grim, earthbound mystery as they investigate a murder in the American Midwest. Stay tuned for more updates.