The Green Lantern series that Greg Berlanti has been developing with writer Seth Grahame-Smith for HBO Max is back to square 1. Despite the developing project having a completed script for 8 episodes from Grahame-Smith, WBD wants the production to change the character in focus. Specifically, the series will now revolve around John Stewart instead of Guy Gardner and Alan Scott.
With this shift in character focus for the Green Lantern series, Grahame-Smith is choosing to exit the project after writing the full 8-episode season. Reading from The Hollywood Reporter’s article, we can only imagine the frustration and disappointment knowing years of work will not see the light of day.
Greg Berlanti’s Green Lantern For HBO Max Back To Square 1
Image: DC Comics
Most likely, Berlanti’s Green Lantern came on the receiving end of top management unfavorable decisions. In the beginning, during Hamada’s lead, John Stewart was off the table in conceptualization of the story. Thus, they developed one with Guy Gardner and Alan Scott. In fact, production has been active to a point that the characters already have actors in line to take the role. Namely, Finn Wittrock of Ratched was to portray Guy Gardner. Meanwhile, Jeremy Irvine of Treadstone was to take the Alan Scott role.
John Stewart’s Green Lantern is the second African-American superhero to grace the pages of DC Comics back in 1971. A character creation of Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams, John Stewart first appeared in Green Lantern Vol. 2.
Grahame-Smith’s shelved full season of Green Lantern will be among the projects included in WBD’s cost savings. Apparently, the original plan had a grand vision including space travel. At the time, the show looked at a $120M range budget to complete. Now, for the new development, HBO pushes a budget lower than that. Because of this, Grahame-Smith’s season script is among projects such as Berlanti’s Strange Adventures, JJ Abrams’ Demimonde, and the controversial Batgirl. Those are the projects that will be under the multi-billion tax write-downs for WBD.
Despite the fruitlessness of the endeavor, the company emphasizes that the halt is due to the cost of the series. Certainly, the creativity and talent of Grahame-Smith is not in question. However, since the script will be included in the tax write off, like Batgirl, they cannot release it in any form in the future. Unless, WBD will cover stipulated penalties. Penalties equal money. And money, they want to save.
Greg Berlanti’s Green Lantern For HBO Max Back To Square 1
Image: DC Comics
Naturally, since the first completed script will no longer push through, the company will consider the actors they tapped for something else. That is, if the opportunity comes along as well.
The Guy Gardner and Alan Scott Green Lantern series could have been redemption for Greg Berlanti after the 2011 movie. That Green Lantern starred the now sensational actor Ryan Reynolds. Fans think of the movie as one of the worst DC movies in existence. By its box office numbers it chalked in $219 million from a $200 million production budget. Considering marketing expenses after production, it’s possible the tees did not cross nicely.
Nevertheless, years later Berlanti has proven himself in weaving stories for DC through television series. Reynolds is one of the most bankable actors in this generation.
