Josh Brolin Reflects on Green Lantern Role That Didn’t Materialize

The Dune star addresses missed opportunity to play Hal Jordan in HBO’s Lanterns series, while Kyle Chandler is reportedly in talks to step into the iconic role.

Josh Brolin recently revealed that he had been in talks to portray Hal Jordan, one of the central characters in HBO’s upcoming Lanterns series based on DC Comics’ Green Lantern. However, the Dune actor confirmed that those discussions didn’t pan out.

In a candid interview with ComicBook, Brolin expressed his acceptance of the situation. “You know what? Green Lantern didn’t work out, but that’s okay. It’s working out,” he said. Addressing the rumors that Friday Night Lights actor Kyle Chandler is in discussions to take on the role, Brolin added, “Who is it going to be, Kyle Chandler? I love him as an actor, I think he’s wonderful. We’ll see what’s down the line, man.”

Deadline previously reported that Chandler was in talks to portray Hal Jordan, a character last played by Ryan Reynolds in the 2011 film Green Lantern.

The upcoming Lanterns series is being spearheaded by Chris Mundy (Ozark), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen), and comic book writer Tom King. The plot centers on John Stewart, a new recruit in the Green Lantern Corps, alongside veteran Hal Jordan as the two intergalactic lawmen investigate a chilling murder in the American heartland.

The series, which will consist of eight episodes, is being produced by HBO in collaboration with Warner Bros Television and DC Studios. Chris Mundy is set to serve as showrunner, with Lindelof and King co-writing and executive producing.

“John Stewart and Hal Jordan are two of DC’s most compelling characters, and Lanterns brings them to life in an original detective story that is a foundational part of the unified DCU we’re launching next summer with Superman,” said DC Studios co-chairmen and co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran at the time of the series’ announcement.