James Gunn shut down rumors about Ryan Reynolds returning as Green Lantern in DC's upcoming HBO Max series Lanterns. The DC co-chair clarified that Reynolds was never attached to reprise his role as Hal Jordan in the new project.
Speculation had circulated that Reynolds, who played the character in 2011's Green Lantern, might make a comeback in the televised adaptation. That film tanked critically and commercially, becoming a cautionary tale about superhero missteps. Reynolds himself has joked about the movie's failure countless times over the years.
Gunn's statement puts those theories to rest. The creative leadership at DC has charted a different path forward with Lanterns, which focuses on introducing multiple Green Lanterns to the DCU rather than leaning on legacy casting. The HBO Max series represents part of Gunn's broader restructuring of the DC Universe, which prioritizes new creative directions over nostalgia callbacks.
The timing matters. Gunn has been vocal about building DC's cinematic and streaming properties with fresh approaches. While some fans hoped for Reynolds' involvement, particularly given his cultural capital and comedy sensibility, the decision to move forward without him aligns with DC's stated intent to avoid retreading the pre-Gunn era.
Green Lantern remains one of the studio's most troubled properties. The 2011 attempt faced overwhelming audience rejection, derailing plans for a franchise. Rather than attempting a redemption arc with Reynolds, DC appears committed to a complete reset with Lanterns, treating it as a genuine new beginning rather than a legacy play.
This doesn't foreclose the possibility of Reynolds appearing elsewhere in the DCU. His star power and comedic talent could fit various projects. For now, though, Lanterns moves forward as intended, with the Green Lantern mythology getting a fresh start on Max.