LANTERNS: 7 Actors Who Could Play Green Lantern Hal Jordan In The New DCU

LANTERNS: 7 Actors Who Could Play Green Lantern Hal Jordan In The New DCU

DC Studios will finally reboot the Green Lantern franchise in Max's Lanterns TV series, and we're now sharing our top picks for who could bring Hal Jordan to life on the small screen. Check them out...

Feature Opinion
By JoshWilding - Apr 13, 2023 12:04 PM EST
Filed Under: Green Lantern

Lanterns was originally going to revolve around Alan Scott and Guy Gardner, but when DC Studios was formed, the spotlight shifted to Hal Jordan and John Stewart. 

The news was welcomed by fans, especially as Hal has been absent from our screens since 2011 and John's live-action debut is beyond long overdue. In an upcoming Max TV series, the space-faring superheroes are going to embark on "a True Detective-type mystery" that "leads into the overall story that [DC Studios is] telling."

This is the buddy cop drama we've been waiting for, but who should pick up where Ryan Reynolds left off over a decade ago? We have some suggestions (don't worry, we'll get to John a little later this month), and think you'll find they make for interesting reading. 

To find out we think should play Hal Jordan in the DCU, click on the "Next" button below!
 

7. Hayden Christensen

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We're going to begin this feature with a suggestion that, inevitably, will divide opinions. Hayden Christensen played Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequels and has mostly stepped back from acting since. 

However, his return as Darth Vader in Obi-Wan Kenobi has led to a resurgence of sorts, something that was evident from the cheers he was met with at Star Wars Celebration over the weekend. We'd love to see Christensen get another big franchise role and believe he'd be a solid Hal. 

If Lanterns picks up with a Hal who has been protecting Earth for a number of years, it makes sense to cast a slightly older actor. In fact, we're hoping this series covers his descent into villainy and know Christensen would do a great job as Parallax.
 

6. Asher Angel

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If what we saw in Shazam! Fury of the Gods was any indication, Asher Angel has outgrown the role of Billy Batson. At this point, he'd arguably make a better Shazam than Zachary Levi, but we obviously have a different character in mind for him in the DCU.

Yes, the 20-year-old would be one of our top picks for Hal, especially if the hero is nearer the start of his space cop career in Lanterns. Some of you will argue that Angel is too young, but this could be a star-making performance for the actor and he's proved himself a talented up-and-comer beyond the DCEU (we'd recommend checking him out in Darby and the Dead). 

As for Shazam...well, we wouldn't be against seeing the Big Red Cheese left on the shelf for the time being. 
 

5. Matt Lanter

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Matt Lanter made a name for himself starring in 90210, but many of you are bound to know him best for lending his voice to Anakin Skywalker in The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels

Yes, this is our second Vader actor to make the cut, but the actor - who is no stranger to the DC Universe after a variety of voice roles - would be a terrific choice to play Hal in this series and beyond. He impressed in Netflix's short-lived Jupiter's Legacy series and we'd love for him to get a second shot at playing a superhero. 

He's a massively underrated talent and, despite not being the biggest name on this list, he's someone we think could do Green Lantern justice in this Max series and beyond. 
 

4. Alden Ehrenreich

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When Alden Ehrenreich was cast as the title character in Solo: A Star Wars Story, he faced the near-impossible task of having to pick up where Harrison Ford left off.

Despite that, he did a great job in a troubled movie and proved himself an actor who can hang with the best. Ehrenreich is joining the MCU in Ironheart (likely as Ezekiel Stane), but that doesn't mean he couldn't play the DCU's Green Lantern. This rebooted world should be a healthy mix of A-Listers and up-and-coming stars, and the former Han Solo is definitely the latter.

He has the right look and swagger to play Hal (Solo proved that) and a major superhero role like this would go a long way in helping him move on from his time in a very different Galaxy. 
 

3. John Krasinski

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Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Marvel Studios plans to bring John Krasinski back as Mister Fantastic for the upcoming Fantastic Four reboot. 

The Office alum certainly seemed to enjoy his brief stint in the MCU, leading us to think he wouldn't be against taking on another superhero role. Like Christensen, Krasinski is in his early 40s, meaning his Hal would need to be a little older and grizzled than some of the other actors we've suggested here. 

Again, if this Hal has been protecting the Universe for years before becoming disillusioned with his place in the Green Lantern Corps, Krasinski may well be the perfect actor to explore the build-up to him breaking bad and taking on the Parallax moniker.
 

2. Taron Egerton

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For years, rumours have persisted about Taron Egerton being eyed for various Marvel roles. He remains a fan-favourite choice to bring Wolverine to life in the MCU, of course, but what about a role in the DCU? Enter, Green Lantern. 

Without a doubt one of the best actors working in Hollywood today, the Welshman would knock it out of the park as Hal, lending some major star power to a series that will need all the help it can get in attracting an audience after 2011's dismal effort. No stranger to film and television, Egerton has all the necessary attributes to play this character. 

Honestly, if it's a choice between Green Lantern and Wolverine, we'd be included to pick the former!
 

1. Glen Powell

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We're not saying the most obvious choice is necessarily the best one, but there's a good reason Top Gun: Maverick star Glen Powell is such a popular suggestion to play Hal Jordan in the DCU.

For starters, the actor has expressed a very real interest in the role and that's always a good sign. Most important, of course, is the fact he's a great performer and has already proved he has what it takes to play Green Lantern in the aforementioned action blockbuster alongside Tom Cruise. A superhero role for him seems inevitable and this would be the best one possible. 

It's not at all hard to picture him as Hal and, at 34, we'd say he's the perfect age to recite that iconic oath a couple of years from now...
 

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ZomZom
ZomZom - 4/13/2023, 12:32 PM
Wow, seven actors and each one lousier than the last. That's difficult to achieve, well done.
Goldboink
Goldboink - 4/13/2023, 12:33 PM
Joel Kinneman?

Shivermetimbers
Shivermetimbers - 4/13/2023, 1:48 PM
@Goldboink - Nahhhh, more like a Joel Kinneman type...
Goldboink
Goldboink - 4/13/2023, 1:57 PM
@Shivermetimbers -

Where's Charles Murphy when you need him
MCUKnight11
MCUKnight11 - 4/13/2023, 12:39 PM
I'm going to say Jensen Ackles because I thought that art of Lanterns was of soldier boy at first.
Winston19
Winston19 - 4/13/2023, 12:44 PM
Glen Powell is the only right answer. 1. He served in the Air Force 2.) he proved he can be a cocky pilot in Top Gun. 3.) He can act, he was fantastic in Devotion. Gunn should be begging this guy to play Hal.
HAUSMAN01
HAUSMAN01 - 4/13/2023, 12:53 PM
@Winston19 - If Gunn doesn't cast him as Hal I wouldn't mind him in the MCU as CYCLOPS ,Silver Surfer,or NOVA

FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 4/13/2023, 1:06 PM
@HAUSMAN01 - He'd be great as Richard Rider. My Cyclops is still Freddie Stroma or if they wanted Scott to be a teenager, Calum Ross (Rowan from Wednesday). My Silver Surfer is Yusuf Gatewood (Raymond Chesnutt from Umbrella Academy).
Rosraf
Rosraf - 4/13/2023, 2:36 PM
@HAUSMAN01 - I thunk Glen Powell would be a very mediocre Cyclops. ...so thats's probably exactly who they will cast.
FilmGuy7878
FilmGuy7878 - 4/13/2023, 3:14 PM
@Rosraf - Ooooooo BURN.
HAUSMAN01
HAUSMAN01 - 4/20/2023, 11:42 AM
@FilmGuy7878 - Yusuf would be a great SILVER SURFER or even KANG if they recast
CaptainDC
CaptainDC - 4/13/2023, 12:44 PM
This guy picked a white actor with a comb over from every movie franchise and claimed it as an editorial
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 4/13/2023, 12:46 PM
Alden Ehrenreich. The guy’s a great actor that gets way too much shit for playing an iconic role nobody wanted to see him play.
HarryBloodscreaming
HarryBloodscreaming - 4/13/2023, 1:17 PM
@PlusUltra - Absolutely agree. Solo was definitely a misstep, but he doesn’t deserve the blame. He was fantastic in Hail Caesar, and I really expected big things from him going forward. Still hoping he gets a second shot, and would love it if he got to redeem himself and live action Hal in one move.
DocSpock
DocSpock - 4/13/2023, 2:01 PM
@PlusUltra -

Nah. He sucks.

Termin8r
Termin8r - 4/13/2023, 6:35 PM
@PlusUltra - he's a good actor, i'll agree with that. but casting a shrimpy guy to play another big guy? there must be a more fitting CBM role for him out there.
HAUSMAN01
HAUSMAN01 - 4/13/2023, 12:47 PM
Other than Powell I can't see the others as Hal (other characters in DC yes but not Hal. Alan Ritchson is another option although I'm aware people want him as Booster Gold too. As for Asher I can see him as Tim Drake ,Taron as Cap. ATOM, John as The Question,Hayden as Ted Kord,Alden as Jason Todd,and Matt as HourMan
THEDARKKNIGHT1939
THEDARKKNIGHT1939 - 4/13/2023, 12:48 PM
Powell for Booster Gold.
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