The revamped DC Universe under James Gunn is continuing to progress and add more star-studded members to its team, and it seems like Kyle Chandler will prove to be the latest addition to it. Famous for his pieces like the Friday Night Lights and Early Edition drama series, the 59-year-old actor is reportedly the new choice to embody Hal Jordan for the screens.
But of course, like nearly every other casting, the reports of Chandler joining Gunn’s superhero-verse is also earning some criticism for some rather absurd reasons. At the same time, hardcore fans of the saga, who genuinely expect this to be yet another perfect casting by Gunn, aren’t sitting quiet and have come out to defend Chandler’s casting in the Green Lantern series.
Kyle Chandler Reportedly in Talks to Play Hal Jordan in Lanterns
After a long chase, DC finally seems to have found its Hal Jordan in the face of Kyle Chandler. A versatile actor renowned for his dramatic prowess across genres ranging from dramas and comedies to actions and thrillers, the Mayor of Kingstown star is ostensibly up for his next big role in the superhero universe for the telly.
According to exclusive reports from Deadline, the Emmy winner is currently in negotiations to play Jordan in the upcoming series under Gunn’s reign, Lanterns. Based on the Green Lantern comic, this story features John Stewart and Jordan, two intergalactic cops, who are pulled into a dark, Earth-based mystery, while investigating a murder in the American heartland.
Notably enough, Chandler is being eyed for the very role that pretty much made Ryan Reynolds “unhirable” after his movie on the character practically bombed in all ways. Additionally, there were also a lot of big talks about A-listers like Matthew McConaughey and Ewan McGregor being in the line to play the next Jordan if Josh Brolin, the first choice, bailed out.
However, after these reports, it seems like not only did Josh Brolin pass on the role, but even all the insider scoops giving fans hope about McConaughey and McGregor becoming a part of Gunn’s revamped universe turned out to be mere rumors. Or, as a critical perspective on this matter has it, it could be that the studios and WB just couldn’t afford those big names.
As per the point of view that @MyTimeToShineH took to X to share, apparently, “DC Studios/WB is broke” and the potential reason behind Chandler’s casting is that “they were aiming higher and just didn’t have the funds.” And while they also mentioned that they’re “not saying this is a bad choice,” this comment seems to have rubbed fans the wrong way.
Fans Defend Kyle Chandler’s Reported Casting as Hal Jordan
If considering the past reports of how big names like Matthew McConaughey and Ewan McGregor were being targeted for the role after Brolin, this perspective seems only fair to ponder on because Chandler is a considerably lesser-known and successful actor than these three. However, fans don’t seem to be willing to even entertain this thought.
To say the least, they are taking to the comment section to defend not only the Friday Night Lights actor’s casting but also James Gunn and the studios for this unexpected turn of events. All in all, here’s what they have to say:
Effortlessly enough, all these sarcastic comments are enough to prove that, at this stage, fans do have Gunn’s back – and even Chandler’s as well now, considering how they’re jumping to his defense to call him the best choice out of all the others. That said, the studios might as well not leave fans disappointed and actually give them something worth all the wait and time.
Lanterns is set to be an eight-episode series produced by HBO in association with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios. So far, Chris Mundy has been connected to it as the showrunner while Damon Lindelof and Tom King will be serving as the co-writers as well as executive producers of the project. The release date for the same is yet to be announced.
