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James Gunn, the mad genius who gifted us with theGuardians of the Galaxy, is pulling rabbits out of a hat yet again as he tirelessly rebuilds his new DCU from scratch. With 2025’sSupermanready 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 seriesLanternsseem 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’sLanterns
It seems not everything is sunshine and rainbows inJames Gunn’sDC universe. WithSupermanset to launch his stint as co-CEO of DC Studios, he is cooking up a feast of new projects.
“I’m going to lose my f—king mind”: Matt Reeves’ Plans for The Batman Franchise Must Nudge James Gunn to Do the One Thing That Fans Have Been Waiting for Decades
However, not everything’s smooth sailing in Gunn’s superhero sandbox as Hollywood heavyweightsMatthew McConaugheyandJosh Brolinhave 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 toThe 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 hispotential castingwas 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 inJonah Hex,Men in Black 3,Sin City: A Dame to Kill For, the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Thanos, andDeadpool 2as 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 (viaThe 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 AboutLanternsSeries
So, what’s the scoop on DCU’sLanterns? When this show was first tossed onto the DCU slate, it was compared to HBO’s gritty hit,True Detective(viaCBR).The creative team behind this celestial crime drama is a star-studded lineup. Chris Mundy, known for his work onOzark, is taking the reins as showrunner for the eight-episode series. Damon Lindelof, the mastermind behindWatchmen, 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 fromSuperman(seeCollider).
“But a Superman in his 40s is too old for DCU?”: Henry Cavill Fans Are Furious With James Gunn Reportedly Trying to Cast 56-Year-Old Josh Brolin as Hal Jordan But They Are Missing the Big Picture
But beforeLanternsshines its light on our screens, DC Studios is set to launch its first television series this December.Creature Commandos,an adult animated showfeaturing the talentsof Frank Grillo and Viola Davis, will make its debut on Max on July 15, 2025. As forLanterns, 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.
Siddhika Prajapati
Senior Journalist & Content Head
Articles Published :3310
With over 3,300 articles carved into the digital walls of FandomWire, Siddhika Prajapati excels at creating, curating, and elevating engaging stories. She takes pride in giving these stories a home and, of course, she’s got a Google Knowledge Panel to prove it!Whether it’s reviewing the latest drop on Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Apple TV+, or analyzing the cultural echoes of a streaming hit on Paramount+ or Max, Siddhika is always writing three steps ahead of the discourse.
