Lanterns: Everything we know about Ulrich Thomsen's role in DC's upcoming show for HBO

DC fans waiting for news on Lanterns got an exciting update on January 24, 2025. Danish filmmaker and actor Ulrich Thomsen has been cast in James Gunn and Peter Safran's DCU as the supervillain Thaal Sinestro, who is Hal Jordan's mentor and later goes on to become the latter's arch-nemesis. Since his first appearance in 1961, Sinestro has been one of Green Lantern Corps' greatest villains.

Thomsen's Sinestro will be joining Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler as John Stewart and Hal Jordan, respectively. Apart from Pierre and Chandler, other cast members include Poorna Jagannathan, Garret Dillahunt, and Kelly Macdonald.

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Who is Sinestro from Lanterns?

Sinestro is the founder of Sinestro Corps or Yellow Lantern Corps, one of the Green Lanterns' toughest opponents. However, before becoming their greatest enemy, Thaal was a respected Green Lantern in the Corps. But the Guardians of the Universe were not aware of Sinestro's oppressive methods, which he believes are the best for the universe.

Ever since his first appearance, writers have made it clear that Sinestro is a dictator who even conquered his home planet under the guise of preserving order. He continued to conquer and rule until Hal Jordan was recruited into the Green Lantern Corps and was made Sinestro's pupil.

However, Hal was horrified by his mentor's methods, and he alerted the Guardians, which resulted in him being ousted. After successfully harnessing the yellow energy of fear, Sinestro established the Sinestro Corps. He then went after the Green Lanterns and the Guardians. In his opinion, the Guardians stand on the path to intergalactic peace and are also holding back the Green Lantern Corps.

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Who stars in the HBO Lanterns series?

HBO's Lanterns show is cautiously adding its cast and crew with the most talented people to convince people to believe in this concept. The shadow of the maligned Green Lantern movie from 2011 still looms large over the fans and viewers. However, the casting of popular actors like Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler is optimistic for fans of the Green Lantern comics. Here are the confirmed cast members:

1. Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan
2. Aaron Pierre as John Stewart
3. Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro
4. Garret Dillahunt as William Macon
5. Kelly MacDonald as Sheriff Kerry
6. Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe

DC fans are wondering if Nathan Fillion will be returning as Guy Gardner from Superman.

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What is the series about?

Back in the January 31, 2023 announcement video, James Gunn described that the series would be grounded and terrestrial. He compared the approach of the series to another HBO hit, True Detective. Later, the writers working on the series were revealed to be Tom King, Chris Mundy (also the showrunner), and Damon Lindelof. The official logline of Lanterns reads:

“New recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.”

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Speculations are rampant about the plot of the series as the show has yet to begin filming. However, based on the casting announcement, it might begin filming soon. Gunn did say in an interview that while he can't commit to a release date, Lanterns is intended to release around the same time as Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.