Green Lantern Corps

***Green Lantern Corps*** was an American television series that ran for five seasons from 2016 to 2021. It is based on the DC Comics heroes the Green Lanterns. It is the first television series of the DCEU and the first in Phase 1. It premiered on November 11, 2016 and ended on January 15, 2021.

## Plot Summary

### Season 1

Many years ago, Hal Jordan was just a test pilot for Ferris Aircraft. But something was inside him... his indomitable courage and willpower. It was because of those traits that he's been serving for the intergalactic police force: the Green Lantern Corps, with a ring given to him by the dying Abin Sur. Now he's been fighting threats in space for 5 years, along with his partner, John Stewart (who he has been serving with for about a year now). A new threat arises though, when a being from the Guardians' past resurfaces, and Hal and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps must put a stop to him before he destroys the universe and the GLC.

### Season 2

After the defeat of Krona, Hal Jordan begins to have doubts in the Guardians, but still fights for the Green Lanterns along with John Stewart. However, the pre-cursor to the Guardians, an evil race known as The Controllers, want to destroy the Green Lanterns to make room for their own intergalactic police force. Hal Jordan and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps are the only ones that can stop them.

### Season 3

Hal Jordan and John Stewart, as well as the GLC, come across another Corps... the Red Lantern Corps who are fueled by rage. It will take the entire Green Lantern Corps to stop their corruption of the entire cosmos... or the entire universe runs red with rage.

### Season 4

An aging scientist from the planet Auron tries to cheat death by drawing powers from the stars and becoming immortal. He eventually does so with the help of a device called a Starband which ages the rest of the people on the planet. He eventually kills the rest of the Aurons and tries to conquer more worlds which has him come face to face with the Green Lanterns who must stop him before he conquers the galaxy. In addition to the mysterious force known only as the Manhunters.

### Season 5

In the fifth and final season, Hal, John, and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps face off against their most dastardly foes, the Sinestro Corps.

## Cast

### Main

* John Krasiniski as Hal Jordan/Green Lantern Alpha
* Omar Epps as John Stewart/Green Lantern Bravo

### Recurring

* Ving Rhames as Kilowog
* Jared Harris as Tomar-Re
* Chloe Grace Moretz as Arisia Rrab
* Alan Tudyk as Stel (voice)
* Doug Jones as Salaak
* Brenton Thwaites as Sodam Yat

### Guest

* Oscar Isaac as Krona (season 1)
* Emily Blunt as Star Sapphire (season 1)
* The Controllers (season 2)
	+ Anthony Head as Kellic
	+ Alexis Denisof as Daalon
	+ Peter Gallagher as Mu
	+ Kevin Dillon as Clonus
	+ Lee Pace as Nauma
* Naomie Harris as Fatality (season 2)
* Tyler Mane as Atrocitus (season 3)
* Phil LaMarr as Legion (voice) (season 3)
* Hugh Laurie as Evil Star (season 4)
* The Manhunters (season 4)
	+ Christopher Lambert as Manhunter Highlander
	+ Bill Goldberg as Manhunter Lud
	+ Max Martini as Manhunter Kurrk
* Luke Evans as Sinestro (season 5)
* Elizabeth Gillies as Soranik Natu (season 5)
* Harry Treadaway as Amon Sur (season 5)
* Ashton Kutcher as Power Ring/Harold Jordan (season 5)

## Reception

When it first premiered, *Green Lantern Corps* received very positive reception from critics and audiences. "The Green Lantern characters have finally reached live action and Johns managed to showcase the character he loves so much properly, with the help of *Star Trek* alum Ronald D. Moore." It managed to keep that reception throughout the first season, praising the performances from Krasinski, Epps, and Isaac. As well as the story, effects, and writing.

When season 2 premiered, it received mixed reception. "Johns and Moore keep the Green Lantern train chugging along with a decent sophomore season featuring inferior villains, and not as interesting of a story." While The Controllers were not as well received as Krona, Head's performance was a highlight for many during the season. The supporting cast was given more to do this season, and received positive reception as well. However, the story and writing felt like it took a hit this season and felt like a clash of vision. Moore went on to state that he wanted to focus more on the character of Hal this season, and his relationship with John. As well as wanting a more human feel to the show. Johns wanted the opposite of this wanting to focus more on the alien side of things and the cosmic nature of the DCEU.

When season 3 premiered, it received positive reception. "After the more Frankenstein tone and story of the previous season was dealt with, we got a more balanced season in terms of human characters and a more alien threat." Johns and Moore managed to find a more equal balance to both of their wants, focusing on the character of Hal and John. On top of that, also dealing with the more alien threat of the Red Lantern Corps and building the cosmic lore of not only the different Corps, but of the DCEU.

When season 4 premiered, it received mixed reception. "While both have their visions set in place, the divisive nature comes from a lack of a good villain this season." The main villain this season, mainly being Evil Star, was considered lackluster and many people stated that Laurie gave a phoned in performance. It was because of this that later on in the season, the Manhunters became a major focal point and almost usurped the "main villain" story from Evil Star. Despite middling performances from Goldberg and Martini, many people praised Lambert's performance as head Manhunter. In the end though, many fans and critics proclaimed this as the weakest season in *Green Lantern Corps*.

When season 5 premiered, it received universal acclaim. "After the lackluster villain of Evil Star, we finally get what everyone wanted to see: Sinestro and his Corps." Many praised the performances of Evans and Krasinski, as well as their chemistry and history between them. Many even praised side villains like Amon Sur and Harold Jordan of Earth-3, all tying into Hal's past and the parallels of that.

## Trivia

* Originally, this was going to be a film entitled *Green Lantern Corps* but WB wanted to focus on the character of Superman during Phase 1, so the idea was rejected. So, Johns retooled the film into a television series with Ronald D. Moore, impressed with his television series, *Outlander* with it being a mix of a sci-fi concept and human themes, along with his work on the *Star Trek* franchise. However, at around the same time, Greg Berlanti was trying to make his own television series entitled *Green Lanterns* after his film pitch was rejected in favor of *Man of Steel* (where he ironically worked with Geoff Johns to try and make it happen). Johns went to Berlanti and told him his proposition, and Berlanti, impressed by his show bible, bowed out and ultimately gave him his blessing. Due to the nature of Johns' pitch of furthering the lore of the DCEU, the show was greenlit. As a token of gratitude, Johns offered him to write several episodes for the series. Berlanti turned it down, wanting to focus on the Arrowverse instead.
* Oscar Isaac accepted the role of Krona due to the fact that he rarely ever gets cast as villains, and jumped at the chance to do so.
* John Krasinski was a runner up to play Captain America in the MCU but turned down the role, so Johns was worried he would turn this down as well. However, due to the fact that Krasinski thought he really matured as an actor since the early days of the MCU, he ultimately accepted the role. But with the condition that his wife, Emily Blunt, play Carol Ferris/Star Sapphire. Johns laughed and said "I was gonna call her right after to offer her the role!"
* During production of season 4, Hugh Laurie kept referring to Omar Epps as "Foreman" due to their previous work together on *House*.