The DCU Has Already Proved Its Version Of A Canceled DCEU Movie Will Be Better

Both James Gunn’s Superman and Chris Mundy’s upcoming Lanterns series set up an improved version of the DCEU’s canceled Green Lantern Corps movie. Gunn’s Superman concludes with a more confident Superman growing as the leader of the superhero community. Despite inhabiting a world crowded with metahumans, Superman’s icon status remains untouched.

Besides establishing a DCU Man of Steel with a promising future, James Gunn’s Superman references dozens of DC heroes and concepts, and it introduces multiple iconic DC heroes as major characters. The DCU debut of Maxwell Lord’s Justice Gang places Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and the show-stealing Guy Gardner on the top tier of the DCU’s superhero roster.

The DCEU Almost Had A Green Lantern Corps Movie

The Green Lantern Corps ᴀssemble on Oa in Crisis on Infinite Earths

Green Lantern Corps was one of the many projects in the DCEU’s early slate, alongside other canceled movies like Cyborg and Ben Affleck’s The Batman. Originally planned for release in 2020, Green Lantern Corps aimed to explore the intergalactic guardians’ cosmic lore. DC even went as far as teasing Green Lantern Corps in the Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, which briefly showed Oa.

However, Green Lantern Corps was ultimately canceled due to repeated delays and the DCEU’s growing instability. The franchise’s constantly changing plans led the project to be redeveloped and put on hold multiple times. Once the DCEU ended, the Green Lantern Corps film was quietly shelved, with attention moving toward the introduction of new Green Lantern portrayals in James Gunn’s DCU.

Superman & Lanterns Open The Door For A Better Green Lantern Corps Movie

Aaroin Pierre's John Stewart and Kyle Chandler's Hal Jordan walk down a road in Lanterns — Aaroin Pierre’s John Stewart and Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan walk down a road in Lanterns

The introduction of Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart alongside Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan in Lanterns and Nathan Fillion’s standout performance as Guy Gardner in Superman lay strong foundations for a DCU Green Lantern Corps movie. Guy Gardner’s return in Peacemaker season 2 only emphasizes the Lanterns’ importance. A gradual build-up to Green Lantern Corps is an even better approach than the DCEU’s ensemble introduction.

If a Green Lantern Corps DCU movie ever happens, it could match the excitement of a Justice League-level crossover event. Guy Gardner’s Superman supporting appearance is mostly comedic, while Lanterns will dive into a full-fledged detective mystery starring John Stewart and Hal Jordan. Watching all three Green Lanterns join forces on screen would be a grand DC event of its own.

Future DCU projects will likely introduce fan-favorite Lanterns such as Kyle Rayner, Jessica Cruz, and Simon Baz. These heroes might be sprinkled across team-ups, solo outings, and cameos in other cosmic DCU stories, gradually expanding the Corps’ roster. By the time a Green Lantern Corps movie arrives, fans would be more than ready for a full-scale ensemble.