Is Josh Brolin the New Green Lantern? Rumors Suggest a Huge Plot Twist in the Upcoming Series

The Marvel-to-DC Jump: Josh Brolin as Hal Jordan?

Josh Brolin is widely recognized for his iconic portrayal of Thanos, the purple-skinned villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, the latest buzz in the entertainment world suggests that Brolin might be switching color palettes, going from purple to green. Rumors indicate that Brolin has been approached to play Hal Jordan, Earth’s first Green Lantern, in the upcoming HBO series “Lanterns,” part of James Gunn’s reimagined DC Universe.

If Brolin takes on the role, he’ll be stepping into the shoes once filled by his “Deadpool 2” co-star, Ryan Reynolds, who portrayed Jordan in the 2011 film “Green Lantern”—a movie often criticized by both fans and critics alike. Unlike the comedic tone of Reynolds’ take, “Lanterns” is set to have a darker, more serious vibe, described as a “True Detective”-style series focusing on space cops patrolling the cosmos. So, with Brolin’s potential casting, fans are already speculating about the direction the show might take and what this could mean for the storyline.

The Dark Descent of Hal Jordan: Will Brolin’s Version Go Bad?

Considering Brolin’s age and his penchant for playing complex characters, it’s reasonable to assume that his version of Hal Jordan might be a veteran Green Lantern, well into his career. If that’s the case, we could be looking at one of the darker chapters of Jordan’s story arc—specifically, the time when he becomes possessed by Parallax, the entity of fear.

This storyline is a pivotal moment in Green Lantern lore, where Jordan’s descent into madness leads to the destruction of the Green Lantern Corps and ultimately, his own downfall. Given the intense tone that “Lanterns” promises, it wouldn’t be surprising if the series explores this darker side of Hal Jordan. Could we witness Brolin’s Jordan turning rogue, forcing another hero to hunt him down?

John Stewart: The Rookie Lantern or the One on Hal Jordan’s Trail?

When “Lanterns” was first announced, it was confirmed that John Stewart, another key Green Lantern, would be the primary focus of the series. With the recent rumors of Brolin potentially playing Hal Jordan, a tantalizing theory emerges: could Stewart be the rookie Lantern paired with Jordan, only to witness his partner’s tragic fall from grace?

But what if the story isn’t that straightforward? What if Stewart isn’t just a partner, but is actually tasked with tracking down Jordan after he goes rogue? This narrative twist could set up a fascinating cat-and-mouse dynamic, with Stewart following in the legendary footsteps of a hero who has now become the enemy. Imagine the drama of a rookie Lantern chasing the ghost of a fallen legend—green versus yellow, good versus corrupted good.

Sinestro and Guy Gardner: The Other Lanterns in Play

No discussion about Hal Jordan would be complete without mentioning two other significant characters: Sinestro and Guy Gardner. Sinestro, once a mentor to Jordan, is the former Green Lantern who turned to the dark side, becoming one of the Corps’ most notorious enemies. If Jordan’s storyline in “Lanterns” does involve his descent into madness, it’s almost certain that Sinestro will be part of that narrative, either as a shadowy presence or a direct antagonist.

Then there’s Guy Gardner, the second Earthling to be granted a Green Lantern ring, following Hal Jordan. Gardner is confirmed to appear in the upcoming “Superman” film, portrayed by Nathan Fillion. If “Lanterns” is indeed a foundational piece of the new DC Universe, as James Gunn and Peter Safran have hinted, then Gardner’s larger-than-life personality and tumultuous history should at least be referenced, if not fully integrated into the storyline. His involvement could add another layer of complexity to the series, enriching the lore and expanding the universe Gunn is building.

The Final Word: Will Brolin Say Yes?

Of course, all of this hinges on whether Josh Brolin actually accepts the role of Hal Jordan. If he does, it would be a major win for the DC Universe, injecting a dose of gravitas into the “Lanterns” series and elevating it to must-watch status. Fans are eager to see how this potential casting could shape the direction of the show, and if it lives up to its promise of being a dark, gritty space drama, it could very well outshine its Marvel counterparts.

So, what do you think? Is Brolin the perfect fit for a seasoned, possibly rogue Hal Jordan? Or will this remain just another tantalizing rumor in the ever-expanding DC Universe?