The initial ‘Lanterns’ trailer has caused a surprising controversy within the DC fandom. To certain viewers, the greatest complaint was not the story or acting, but color. In particular, the conspicuous absence of the iconic green, which is very prominent in the Green Lantern mythos.
Due to that, some fans on the internet have even gone to the extent of stating that the new series makes the 2011 Green Lantern look better in retrospect. However, there is one important point that is lacking in that comparison. The amount of green on screen was never the real issue with the earlier film. And the new show may be intentionally taking a different approach.
‘Lanterns’ Is Focused on Story, Not Spectacle
The trailer for ‘Lanterns’ is tilted towards the grounded instead of the cosmic spectacle. Rather than depicting huge energy structures or intergalactic conflicts, the video focuses on a mystery occurring in the American heartland. Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre play veteran Lantern Hal Jordan and newcomer John Stewart. And they are investigating a mysterious murder on Earth.
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The characters are shown in civilian attire in most scenes. The emphasis is mostly placed on their awkward alliance instead of their spectacular abilities. This decision shocked a few fans who were hoping to see a visual spectacle. The trailer features very minimal action powered by rings and only a few glimpses of the actual Lantern powers.
Even a short glance at a Lantern costume seems duller and older than the vivid green suit that many people would associate with the comics. However, trailers tend to emphasize tone over spectacle. Here, the focus appears to be on character dynamics and mystery, establishing a slow-burning story instead of throwing into cosmic chaos.
The 2011 ‘Green Lantern’ Had Bigger Problems
The comparison of the new show with the Green Lantern also ignores the reasons why the movie failed in the first place. The film was definitely full of green scenes, but that was not a guarantee of success. The decision to turn the entire superhero suit of Ryan Reynolds into a CGI-based one instead of a practical one was heavily criticized.
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The outcome was usually rough, and the digital design did not always merge naturally with the performance of the actor. The movie also gave artistic freedom to its villain. Rather than the comic version of Parallax, the viewers were presented with a massive whirl of fear energy, which, in the opinion of many, made the character less threatening.
The casting was ironically the strongest aspect of the film. Actors like Blake Lively, Mark Strong, and Peter Sarsgaard were generally thought to be good choices in their parts. Ultimately, the moral is easy to grasp: a Green Lantern narrative is not determined by the amount of green on the screen. Powerful characters, interesting stakes, and world-building are much more important. Provided that ‘Lanterns’ provide those aspects, the color will be the least significant aspect of the discussion when the show finally premieres.
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