Josh Brolin As DC's New Green Lantern Has Me More Excited Because It's The Best Choice

The recent reports that Josh Brolin has been offered the role of Hal Jordan for the DCU's upcoming Lanterns series have me very excited. One of the first live-action series set in the new DCU, Lanterns is expected to be a more grounded take on the Green Lantern concept. However, it's also expected to introduce a fascinating dynamic with two human Green Lanterns leading the series rather than one alone, a core reason why Brolin is likely one of the best choices possible for the Hal Jordan that's being envisioned.

Lanterns was one of the very first projects announced for the DCU by new DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran. Coming from Chris Mundy (“True Detective: Night Country,” “Ozark”) who will serve as showrunner and an executive producer, Lanterns has been picked up by HBO for eight episodes with Damon Lindelof (Lost, Watchmen) and Tom King (Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Mister Miracle). To that end, I couldn't be happier about Josh Brolin's potential casting as Hal Jordan, especially based on what's known about Lanterns and its upcoming plot for the DCU.

Josh Brolin's DC Universe Hal Jordan Casting Reports Raise A Promising Prospect

An Older Lantern Training A Younger Rookie

At present, details are scarce regarding the full premise and plot for the DCU's upcoming Lanterns show. However, it is known that the first season will be largely Earth-based, and that Hal Jordan and John Stewart will be investigating a dark murder in the American heartland. Likewise, Hal Jordan is expected to already be an established Green Lantern while John Stewart will be a new recruit, still learning the ropes and how to harness the green light of willpower through his power ring.

Keeping that in mind, casting an older Green Lantern feels like a no-brainer to me. After all, getting a younger actor to play Jordan would likely feel like more of a repeat of what was seen with 2011's Green Lantern starring Ryan Reynolds, a less-than-stellar feature Warner Bros. undoubtedly wants to distance itself from. To that end, casting someone like Josh Brolin feels far more unique, offering fresh territory to explore on-screen (especially with two Lanterns sharing the bright green spotlight).

Brolin As The "Greatest" Green Lantern Fits What We Know About The DCU's Lanterns

He'll Already Be A Lantern Legend

Custom image by Ross Tanenbaum

The DCU's Hal Jordan is expected to already be a living "Lantern legend". This suggests that he'll have been around for quite some time before John Stewart arrives as a rookie, perhaps having protected sector 2814 for several years before Stewart becomes his partner. Not only does this align with Gunn's desire to have an overall DCU that already feels "lived-in", but it also offers the chance to see Hal Jordan embodying the title he has in the comics as the "Greatest Green Lantern".

As such, I'm ecstatic about the opportunity to hopefully see Josh Brolin as a veteran version of Hal Jordan. I can easily see Brolin embodying Jordan's classic fearlessness from the comics who more often than not breaks Green Lantern Corps protocol if it means doing the right thing. I also just keep picturing a more cocky version of Brolin's Gurney Halleck from Dune, and I get even more excited about Lanterns.

I Couldn't Be Happier About The Idea Of Brolin Playing Hal Jordan

I'm Now Even More Excited For John Stewart's Casting

Custom image by Andy Behbakht

Assuming Brolin does indeed take the role, I'm now even more excited about who Warner Bros. might be looking for to play John Stewart. This essentially looks to be the reverse of Lethal Weapon, where Hal Jordan will be the Murtagh and John Stewart will be the Riggs. Keeping that in mind, Josh Brolin will have no problem playing the veteran hero who's "getting too old for this s***", while trying to impart what wisdom he can to the rookie at his side.

I'd love to see someone like John Boyega or John David Washington get offered the role of Stewart opposite Brolin's Jordan. Seeing either pairing in a Lethal Weapon/True Detective scenario would be stellar for the upcoming Lanterns series. Now, I can only hope that Brolin has already said yes to the exciting DCU role (or soon will).

The DCU's Lanterns series is currently in development.

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