Marc Guggenheim Reveals Canceled Green Lantern Plans For The Arrowverse

The Vision That Never Came To Light

 

The Arrowverse, an interconnected universe of superhero series on The CW, captivated fans for nearly a decade. Among its many storylines, one of the most tantalizing teases involved the character of Green Lantern. Recently, Arrow creator Marc Guggenheim unveiled concept art for John Diggle as Green Lantern, a reveal fans had long awaited. Unfortunately, despite numerous hints and a well-developed plan, the Green Lantern storyline never received the green light from network executives.

The Arrowverse and Its Legacy

Launching with "Arrow" in 2012, the Arrowverse expanded to include popular shows like "The Flash," "Supergirl," "Legends of Tomorrow," "Batwoman," and "Black Lightning." Arrow itself introduced audiences to live-action versions of several DC Comics heroes, including Black Canary, Speedy, Ragman, Mister Terrific, and The Atom. However, the Green Lantern narrative, particularly involving John Diggle (played by David Ramsey), remained an elusive dream.

The Tease That Never Paid Off

Throughout its run, "Arrow" subtly hinted at John Diggle’s potential transformation into a Green Lantern. The series finale featured a significant moment where Diggle discovered a mysterious box with a green glow, heavily implying a Green Lantern connection. Fans eagerly anticipated this development, especially after a reference in the "Elseworlds" crossover event where Earth-90’s Flash asked Diggle about his ring, a clear nod to the Green Lantern mythos.

Guggenheim’s Revelation

In his newsletter, Legal Dispatch, Marc Guggenheim shared concept art of John Diggle as Green Lantern. The designs, created by costume designer Brie Thorpe and illustrator Keith Lau, showcased two versions: one with a Green Lantern-inspired jacket and another with a more subtle look. Guggenheim expressed his disappointment over never receiving approval to fully integrate Green Lantern into the Arrowverse. He revealed, "Unfortunately, we never got the approval to go full 'Green Lantern' with Diggle, but we were always trying to push the envelope as much as possible."

A Decade of Unfulfilled Green Lantern Plans

Guggenheim’s journey with Green Lantern began long before the Arrowverse. He co-wrote the script for the 2011 "Green Lantern" film starring Ryan Reynolds. Despite the movie’s failure at the box office, Guggenheim was determined to redeem the Green Lantern brand within the Arrowverse. Early references, such as the mention of a missing test pilot at Ferris Airbase in "The Flash," hinted at Hal Jordan’s story, but the Arrowverse aimed to reimagine John Diggle as John Stewart, one of the most beloved Green Lanterns in the comics.

Missed Opportunities and Cancelled Spin-offs

Despite the promising setup, the Green Lantern arc never materialized. Instead, John Diggle made appearances across the Arrowverse, including "Superman & Lois," "The Flash," "Supergirl," and "Batwoman," where fans hoped he would finally don the Green Lantern ring. In "The Flash" episode "The Man in the Yellow Tie," Diggle revealed he had turned down the power of the ring to prioritize his family, setting up the now-canceled spin-off "Justice U."

The Future of Green Lantern on Screen

Warner Bros. and DC have faced several challenges in bringing Green Lantern to the screen. Initially planned as a 2020 film, "Green Lantern Corp" was reimagined as an HBO Max series focusing on multiple Green Lantern characters, including Alan Scott, Guy Gardner, Simon Baz, and Jessica Cruz. Concurrently, plans for John Stewart as a Green Lantern were in motion, which led to Zack Snyder being blocked from including the character in his cut of "Justice League."

The New Hope: HBO’s "Lanterns"

The latest development in the Green Lantern saga is HBO’s "Lanterns," part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe. The series, written by Chris Mundy, Tom King, and Damon Lindelof, will feature both Hal Jordan and John Stewart. Additionally, Nathan Fillion will portray Guy Gardner in the upcoming "Superman" movie. After a turbulent decade, fans hope this new series will finally do justice to the Green Lantern legacy.

Marc Guggenheim’s recent revelations offer a bittersweet glimpse into what could have been within the Arrowverse. While the Green Lantern storyline for John Diggle never came to fruition, the dedication and creativity of the Arrowverse team remain evident. As the DC Universe continues to evolve, fans eagerly anticipate the day when Green Lantern will shine brightly on screen once more.

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Source: Movieweb

Photo Credit: DC

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