Lanterns is poised to bring several fan-favorite DC Comics icons into James Gunn’s DCU, headlined by the duo of Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre). Excitement for their arrival is already huge, but the show’s scope suggests it could introduce characters far beyond the Green Lantern Corps’ core lineup.
While villains like Sinestro or Parallax are natural candidates for a Green Lantern series, early details hint at wider implications for James Gunn’s cinematic universe. The inclusion of John Stewart specifically feels meaningful when considering one of the Justice League’s most iconic heroes, whose DCU future remains unannounced but increasingly teased through Lanterns’ setup.
By placing John Stewart in a central role, Lanterns subtly points toward the direction Gunn may take with the DCU’s next Flash. Prior adaptations leaned heavily on Barry Allen, but with John Stewart in the spotlight, this could finally be the moment to bring Wally West forward. It’s a shift that matches the DCU’s legacy-driven approach and one fans have waited years to see.
Lanterns Sets Up John Stewart As The DCU’s Main Green Lantern
Reports Hint That Hal Jordan Will Take A Back Seat To A Younger Hero
Lanterns is set to feature three of the most recognizable Green Lanterns ever introduced: Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and the original ring-bearer, Alan Scott (Jeremy Irvine). While Scott’s exact role remains under wraps, early reports on the Lanterns trailer suggest the dynamic between Hal and John will be one of the show’s defining threads, with Hal acting as a reluctant mentor to the younger Lantern.
This mentor-mentee setup mirrors iconic runs in DC Comics where Hal Jordan’s veteran status contrasts with John Stewart’s grounded pragmatism. Lanterns appears to capitalize on this dynamic by centering the emotional and thematic weight of the story on John. That choice is especially significant given James Gunn’s stated interest in shifting the DCU toward characters who haven’t dominated live-action adaptations.
John Stewart becoming the DCU’s primary Green Lantern would immediately distinguish this universe from previous film and TV iterations, which traditionally favored Hal Jordan (such as in the oft-slated 2011 Green Lantern movie). It could position John as a foundational Justice League member, giving the franchise a fresh anchor point while still respecting the mythos’ long history.
Focusing on John Stewart also allows Lanterns to explore new territory within the Corps. His background, moral clarity, and tactical mindset set him apart from Hal’s impulsive bravado. This difference can define the DCU’s take on the Green Lantern mantle, creating a hero whose perspective makes him indispensable to the universe Gunn is building.
If John Is The DCU’s Green Lantern, Wally Should Be The Flash
John Stewart’s Prominence Makes Wally West The Natural Flash For The DCU
If Lanterns positions John Stewart as the DCU’s primary Green Lantern, then pairing him with Wally West as the main Flash becomes an obvious and exciting next step. Across comics and animated series like Justice League, the John-Wally dynamic is one of the most charming friendships in DC history, blending humor, heart, and effortless chemistry.
The beauty of matching John Stewart and Wally West is that both heroes are legacy characters. John wasn’t the first Green Lantern, and Wally wasn’t the first Flash. Each stepped into a mantle built by predecessors. That shared experience gives their relationship depth and relatability, allowing the DCU to explore themes of responsibility, succession, and identity from the outset.
This pairing would also create a tonal balance within the DCU’s core roster. John’s stoic discipline contrasts perfectly with Wally’s impulsive optimism. It’s a dynamic audiences haven’t seen in live action and one that could instantly set the DCU apart.
Meanwhile, Barry Allen has already been the focus of two major continuities, the DCEU and the Arrowverse. Wally West would bring a fresh tone and perspective, revitalizing the Flash mantle for a new generation.
Placing Wally alongside John in a potential DCU Justice League lineup would honor decades of beloved portrayals while giving Gunn’s universe a distinct identity. Their friendship isn’t just funny, it’s foundational, and it could give the DCU a vibrant emotional center for a potential Justice League lineup.
Why The DCU Needs Wally West Instead Of Barry Allen
Wally West Offers A Fresh, Legacy-Driven Flash For The DCU’s New Direction
The DCEU and the Arrowverse both built their Flash stories around Barry Allen, establishing him as the default live-action speedster for over a decade. With James Gunn already shaking up tradition by focusing on John Stewart, continuing that creative shift by introducing Wally West as the DCU’s central Flash would be a natural evolution.
The DCU begins after metahumans have already emerged, creating the perfect backdrop for Wally to have inherited the mantle from Barry Allen off-screen. This setup allows the franchise to embrace its legacy-hero framework immediately. It also frees any future Flash movie or series to explore themes like mentorship, expectation, and stepping into a legendary role, stories that resonate deeply with Wally’s character.
Wally West is also widely regarded by many fans as the best Flash. His tenure redefined the mantle, delivering some of the most acclaimed runs in the character’s history. He’s funnier, more emotionally open, and often more imaginative with his use of the Speed Force (traits that, ironically, Ezra Miller and Grant Gustin’s versions of Barry Allen co-opted).
A Wally-led Flash story would blend heart, humor, and high-energy stakes, perfectly matching the tone Gunn is shaping for the DCU. With Lanterns setting John Stewart as the Green Lantern of this universe, choosing Wally as The Flash isn’t just logical, it’s transformative. It positions the DCU to celebrate both legacy and reinvention, honoring the past while boldly moving forward.
- 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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