Summary
Every little information about James Gunn’s plans for theGreen Lantern-themed television show makes it sound that much better.Lanterns, the upcoming television show that is slowly but surely adding cast members as things spin up a bit, has long been billed as quite a bit different than Gunns’ other big DC series. WhilePeacemakeris full of action but also full of laughs, it doesn’t appear this next show is going to have much in common with it.
Instead of laughs and good-hearted shoot-em-up episodes,Lanternswill take severalwell knownGreen Lanternsand throw them together on Earth. When they do get together, the group is tasked with some sort of mystery to solve, which has some calling the show a blend of a superhero program withTrue Detective. And knowing that’s what the plot of the series is about, it looks as though the show has the perfect director for at least the first two episodes.James Hawes has been brought aboardand DCU fans should be very excited for that means for both his installments and what follows after.
A Dark Lanterns Show Has Perfect Helmer
Hawes joins a show that has rapidly adding cast members over the last few weeks, and it’s a bit of an eclectic group. Nathan Fillion has been one of the longest members of the cast and he’ll be playing Guy Gardner. Fillion is likely the first hire for the cast in part because he’ll be playing thesame character inSuperman: Legacy, which is due out next summer and has already started shooting.
Just a few weeks ago,the Lanternsalso addedanother of the Green Lantern Corps members,Hal Jordan. The hire will allow all the heroes to have clear eyes and full hearts. Whether or not they can lose will depend on Kyle Chandler taking on the role. And then, of course, there’s Aaron Pierre, the most recent cast addition. He’lltake on the third member of the corps carrying out this DC meetsTrue Detectiveplot.
Pierre’s hire finishes out the main cast for Lanterns
WhilePierre does have experience workingon superhero shows - he was in 20 episodes ofSyFy’s Kryptonwhich focused on Superman’s homeworld - Hawes and Chandler are new to this kind of show. But considering what the tone is supposed to be for this new show, it looks like they got their guy.
While Hawes is best known forSlow Horsesthese days, he’s got plenty of experience in some more dark science fiction/fantasy shows. The director has helmed two episodes ofBlack Mirror, including one of the best of the series in “Hated in the Nation” an episode showing the extreme dangers of social media. But also several episodes leading the monster fantasy showPenny Dreadful. It’s here where he might be able to pull from his past success most successfully, especially if one of the biggest rumors about the direction ofLanternsplot is said to go.
Lanterns Looks Like Dark Fun
Because of all the talk about how “dark” the show will be, there are some DCU fans who believe it might be more than just a descriptor and possibly even a clue about the plot. Specifically, some believe that Gunn will pull from the popular comic book storyline,Darkest Night.This story has Nekronas the big bad, who brings various DC Comics heroes back from the dead. However, it’s not a happy reunion as those who are brought back are evil zombie-like versions of themselves.
While this hasn’t been confirmed, the idea ofDarkest Nightbeing the plot inLanternsmakes too much sense.
While this hasn’t been confirmed, the idea ofDarkest Nightbeing the plot inLanternsmakes too much sense. It could offer both a mystery for Hal and John to solve and the kind of foreboding environment that Hawes is a veteran of putting together on the small screen.
Those who might be worried about a director for the first two episodes of Lanterns not having any superhero movie or show experience probably don’t need to worry about such things.IfDarkest Nightis indeedwhere the show is going, it could be rather slow to start. Hawes, since he’s taking over the first two episodes at least, will be tasked with helping to set the stage without needing to have too many big battles.
Hawes has also shown that he is a television veteran and certainly can adapt his style to whatever the upcomingGreen Lanternsshow has to offer. And perhaps most exciting is that he’s got a resume that has several very good programs that have aired over the years. He’s someone who can lead a spy thriller or he can put together a show that has monsters and magic. He’s adaptable and talented andLanternsfans should be more than a little excited that James Hawes is helming the first two episodes.
