The new DC Universe might have started recently, but after a new update, it seems like the franchise might already bid goodbye to a major character from the comics in 2026. So far, three projects from the DCU’s slate have been released. Those are Creature Commandos, Superman, and Peacemaker season 2. The former killed several DC heroes, but there was a twist.
Instead of dying for good, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and many other heroes appeared in a vision of a possible future where Princess Ilana Rostovic won and killed the heroes to conquer the world. Sure, Creature Commandos did kill the innocent Nina Mazursky for good, but her death would pale in comparison to the one that could happen in an upcoming DC series.
The DCU’s Latest Green Lantern Update Could Spell Doom For A Major Hero
After Nathan Fillion played the Green Lantern Guy Gardner in Superman and Peacemaker season 2, the DCU will introduce John Stewart and Hal Jordan in HBO’s Lanterns series. The fact that DC cast 31-year-old Aaron Pierre as Stewart and 60-year-old Kyle Chandler as Jordan immediately raised some concerns over Hal’s future in the franchise. Now, a Green Lantern DCU update teases Hal being replaced.
According to Lanterns showrunner Chris Mundy, the HBO show is about “replacement,” thus hinting that the young John Stewart will take on Hal Jordan’s role as the DCU’s main Green Lantern. While that could simply mean a retirement for Hal, he is a hero who is not known to back down from a fight. As such, I believe Hal Jordan could die in Lanterns.
Kyle Chandler’s DCU Contract Supports Hal Jordan Death Theories
That Green Lantern death theory is aided by what we know about Kyle Chadler’s DC contract because of one key reveal. Back when it was reported that the actor would play DC’s most iconic Green Lantern, the news came with the surprising fact that his deal did not include “a movie component,” as per The Hollywood Reporter‘s Borys Kit.
Given that Hal Jordan is easily one of DC’s most recognizable heroes, that move is shocking. Even if he were to retire from his role, we have seen plenty of superheroes who have come back for a mission or two, like Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye. As such, excluding Hal Jordan from the DCU’s movies altogether might hint that his fate will be sealed on TV.
How The DCU Could Move Forward Without Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern
If the theory is true and Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan dies in Lanterns season 1, then I think the path forward is clear. Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart would be the DCU’s main Green Lantern, appearing alongside David Corenswet’s Superman in the Justice League and so on. Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner could occupy Hal’s role as the older, veteran Green Lantern of the DCU.
While DC would be killing its biggest Green Lantern so early in the DCU’s run, there would be more characters in the comics to pull from, with some, like Kyle Rayner, ripe for a live-action adaptation. That said, given everything Hal Jordan represents to DC and the Green Lantern Corps in the comics, I hope he will not die in Lanterns.
- Network
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HBO
- Directors
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James Hawes
- Writers
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Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof
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Aaron Pierre
John Stewart
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Kelly Macdonald
Sheriff Kerry
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