The search for Hal Jordan continues as Josh Brolin has passed on playing the iconic Green Lantern in the DCU HBO series Lanterns. Pitched as a True Detective style series set within the DCU, Lanterns will be a detective series that teams up the iconic Green Lantern Hal Jordan with fan-favorite John Stewart, the hero popularized to general audiences thanks to his role in Justice League and Justice League Unlimited. Earlier this month, it was reported that Brolin had been offered the role of Hal Jordan. He is no stranger to superhero movies as he played the iconic villain Thanos in the MCU, Cable in Deadpool 2, and the DC hero Jonah Hex in 2010.
The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Brolin will not play Hal Jordan, as he has rejected the formal offer to join the Green Lantern Corp on HBO’s series. Multiple sources state that the actor received an offer at the end of August to play the part, but decided to pass on the project over the past weekend. The search is now on to find Hal Jordan, as Lanterns is looking to begin shooting in Atlanta in January and go through until June. The creative team for Lanterns includes Ozark’s Chris Mundy as showrunner, with co-writers including Watchmen‘s and Lost’s Damon Lindelof and Eisner Award winner comics author Tom King.
Other Actors Could Wield Green Lantern’s Light
Brolin passing on Lanterns will come as a relief to some fans. While many were excited about the actor joining the DCU, others were mixed about the choice. Shortly after the news that Brolin had been offered the role of Hal Jordan broke, rumors circulated that two other people considered for Hal Jordan were Matthew McConaughey and Ewan McGregor. McGregor already appeared in a DC film playing Black Mask in Birds of Prey back in 2020, so if he landed the role of Hal Jordan, it certainly would imply that the events of the DCEU are not canon with the DCU. Apart from a small cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine, McConaughey has not played a superhero, but given that he was in True Detective, it would be a nice bit of meta-stunt casting. However, THR reports that McConaughey will likely not be the Green Lantern. Nevertheless, if either of those actors get the part, then the rumors of them being considered will be true and not just fan speculation.
If Lanterns can meet its filming dates from January to June 2025, it will conclude filming right before Superman opens in theaters. Superman will feature another Green Lantern, Nathan Fillion, as Guy Gardner, meaning there might be a tease of what happens in Lanterns in Superman. Lanterns itself could air on HBO sometime in 2026, the same year that Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will be released, while 2025 will feature Superman and Peacemaker Season 2. James Gunn’s DCU is starting to take shape with what looks like at least one movie and show per year, but more are likely to follow.