HBO’s Lanterns series is taking forward a character that Zack Snyder wanted to introduce in the DCEU

In a way, the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League was a huge triumph to fans but it also gave us a glimpse of what could have been. Zack Snyder initially intended to have a surprise towards the conclusion by having John Stewart, a well-liked Green Lantern whom fans have long desired to see in live-action, appear at the end of the film.

Warner Bros. however, requested him to leave Stewart’s character to be disclosed sometime in the future, and thus Snyder substituted Stewart with Martian Manhunter in the last scene.

And now that long wait is at an end. HBO’s forthcoming Lanterns series will feature John Stewart alongside Hal Jordan with Stewart being introduced in a fair way rather than having a brief cameo. To the fans who have been curious how Zack Snyder and his Justice League could have led the way to the Green Lantern Corps, Lanterns comes across as a sequel they never received, yet also dreamt of.

Zack Snyder wanted John Stewart in the DCEU

Zack Snyder had a grand ambitious vision for Justice League and it was not only about Superman and Wonder Woman. Among his most important concepts was to bring to life John Stewart, a Green Lantern, who had a calm authority and a military background, and would provide the audience with the first live-action depiction of the character. Stewart was supposed to come and appear in the film towards the end as a precursor to a much bigger Green Lantern universe yet to be seen.

Warner Bros. however, had its own plans for John Stewart and did not want to reveal him just yet. Due to that, Zack Snyder was forced to alter the plot and substitute the scene of Stewart with that of Martian Manhunter.

Although Martian Manhunter is popular among fans, the replacement altered the theme and disappointed a lot of viewers. Nevertheless, the concept of John Stewart was not removed, it was only postponed.

That delay may eventually come to fruition. What Snyder was unable to fully render in Justice League, might now be achieved in the future Lanterns series, and finally, that promise would come true.

Lanterns taking Stewart’s torch forward

Lanterns, the upcoming HBO series, isn’t just drawing from Zack Snyder's former Green Lantern concept, it is fully committed to it. The show brings John Stewart together with experienced Lantern Hal Jordan as they tackle an earth-bound mystery, which escalates to become something far more cosmic in scope.

This version of Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre, isn’t a fleeting concept or even a guest appearance, he's the lead character, facing earthly concerns as well as concerns from outer space.

There is something about the series that represents a whole new beginning of Green Lantern in live action, offering what lots of fans once thought was missing from Snyder’s previous approach. Rather than providing a brief glimpse of exposure at the end of a film, Lanterns presents John Stewart as having enough room to expand and forge his own path. Hal Jordan is introduced as a contrast point, serving as his mentor.

With Lanterns finally offering a glimpse into concepts that had only existed in the form of concept artwork and fan theory, it feels almost like a nod to the past, while paving the way for whatever comes next in the DC Universe.

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