James Gunn Faces Massive Setback, A-listers Matthew McConaughey and Josh Brolin Reportedly Do Not Want to Join His DCU as Green Lantern

James Gunn, the mad genius who gifted us with the Guardians of the Galaxy, is pulling rabbits out of a hat yet again as he tirelessly rebuilds his new DCU from scratch. With 2025’s Superman ready to launch his tenure as the co-CEO of DC Studios, Gunn’s got plenty of tricks up his sleeve and surprises that might just knock fans’ socks off. 

However, his magician-like efforts to land A-listers as Green Lanterns for his upcoming series Lanterns seem to have hit a bump in the road. Matthew McConaughey and Josh Brolin are reportedly throwing a wrench in the works, giving the Emerald gig a big, fat ‘no’.

Could it be that these Hollywood bigwigs are not enthusiastic about transforming into ring-bearers and joining the DCU party? 

Matthew McConaughey & Josh Brolin Won’t Join James Gunn’s Lanterns

It seems not everything is sunshine and rainbows in James Gunn’s DC universe. With Superman set to launch his stint as co-CEO of DC Studios, he is cooking up a feast of new projects.

However, not everything’s smooth sailing in Gunn’s superhero sandbox as Hollywood heavyweights Matthew McConaughey and Josh Brolin have reportedly given his Green Lantern pitch the cold shoulder. Both stars are apparently not interested in trading their day jobs for the cosmic ring, and Gunn’s star-studded plans are looking a tad wobbly.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Brolin received the superhero offer at the end of August but made up his mind over the weekend to pass on playing Hal Jordan. The buzz around his potential casting was a mixed bag, with some fans cheering for him to take up the Green Lantern mantle while others thought he might be a bit too seasoned for the role.

If Brolin had signed on, he would have added another comic book feather to his cap, following his roles in Jonah Hex, Men in Black 3, Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Thanos, and Deadpool 2 as Cable.

THR also revealed that McConaughey has turned down the chance to join the DCU as Hal Jordan. The actor was one of two names mentioned by industry insider Jeff Sneider (via The InSneider), the other being Ewan McGregor. 

So, as Gunn’s DC Universe blueprint unfolds, it looks like he’s hitting a bit of a casting hiccup.

What You Need to Know About Lanterns Series 

So, what’s the scoop on DCU’s Lanterns? When this show was first tossed onto the DCU slate, it was compared to HBO’s gritty hit, True Detective (via CBR). The creative team behind this celestial crime drama is a star-studded lineup. Chris Mundy, known for his work on Ozark, is taking the reins as showrunner for the eight-episode series. Damon Lindelof, the mastermind behind Watchmen, and comic book scribe Tom King are also on board. 

As of now, the cast is still up in the air, though Nathan Fillion might swoop in to reprise his role as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern from Superman (see Collider). 

But before Lanterns shines its light on our screens, DC Studios is set to launch its first television series this December. Creature Commandos, an adult animated show featuring the talents of Frank Grillo and Viola Davis, will make its debut on Max on December 5, 2024. As for Lanterns, it’s still keeping its release date under wraps, leaving fans hanging like a lantern in the dark.

So, while Gunn’s building his DCU empire, it seems he’s facing a bit of a traffic jam with his casting ambitions.