The DCU Hires Kyle Chandler As Two Of Its Three Green Lanterns Are Now Cast

While we’ve just seen one DC series arrive to great success on HBO, The Penguin, DC is now getting ready for another one, this time planted inside the DCU. Kyle Chandler has been hired to play Hal Jordan, last seen as Ryan Reynolds in the infamous CGI-suited Green Lantern movie in 2011 in the upcoming Lanterns series.

Chandler, of course, is most well-known for his role as Coach Taylor in Friday Night Lights, but he’s had plenty of solid roles since including Netflix’s Bloodline and two big Godzilla movies. Now, he’ll step into a superheroic role and arguably one of the biggest in the DC universe. We already have another Lantern cast, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, who will appear in the upcoming Superman movie in a supporting role.

The HBO Lanterns show is meant to channel True Detective, and the idea is that an older, grizzled Lantern reluctantly mentors a younger upstart as they investigate a murder on earth, space cops becoming normal cops, for a time, it seems.

The casting idea was supposed to be an older, more well-known actor paired with a younger, less-known one who will be playing John Stewart, one of DC’s first black heroes. It seems likely that Stewart will be poised to be the “main” DCU Lantern, and there is something a bit worrying in that Chandler does not have a movie deal outside the show, it seems. There’s already speculation he may not survive the series.

As for John Stewart, it is impossible to mention this role online without hearing Aaron Pierre suggested, who just had an astonishing turn in Netflix’s Rebel Ridge, and would seem to channel the physicality and charisma needed for the part. I would have to believe he’s at least being considered for the part, but whether he ends up cast or not is entirely unknown. But I think all James Gunn would need to do is watch Rebel Ridge, and he’s cast this way before, never hearing of Milly Alcock before watching House of the Dragon and thinking she’d be good for Supergirl.

As for Chandler, I am admittedly a bit surprised with the pick, where previously Josh Brolin passed on the role. Though I can’t say I’ve ever not liked Chandler in anything, and I’ll look forward to seeing his version of an older Hal Jordan onscreen when this show finally does come together. But I’m even more interested in the John Stewart casting.

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