Lanterns, the upcoming superhero television series for HBO Max, has quickly become a flashpoint among DC fans. Many were already concerned after the R-rated trailer suggested a grounded tone. Comments from writer and producer Damon Lindelof sparked further backlash. Now, star Nathan Fillion and head of DC Studios James Gunn have come out in his support.
Fillion has long been popular with fans, and Gunn’s response signals studio alignment. Whether that will be enough to calm the backlash remains unclear.
Backlash Begins
During an appearance on the Lovett or Leave It podcast last year, Lindelof remarked, “It’s called Lanterns because we all agreed that the green was stupid, so now it’s just Lanterns.” What may have been intended as a joke was taken by many as a dismissal of an essential element of comic book lore.
Damon Lindelof – Lovett or Leave It, YouTube
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His comments resurfaced after the release of the Lanterns trailer. Many viewers had already remarked on the trailer’s muted colors and grounded tone. Green Lantern comics are known for alien worlds, fantastic constructs, and space battles. The slow-burn crime drama suggested by marketing seemed at odds with the source material.
Criticism quickly extended beyond fans to prominent voices within the comic industry.
Veteran DC Comics writer Grant Morrison addressed it directly on his Substack. “TV writer/producer Damon Lindelof’s comments notwithstanding, the ‘Green’ in ‘Green Lantern(s)’ green is not ‘stupid,’” he wrote. “Why does a writer attach himself to this kind of narrative if he thinks it’s fundamentally ‘stupid’?”
Morrison warned that taking the wrong approach to the material could alienate fans.
Lindelof Responds
In a lengthy Instagram post, Lindelof tried to appease the fans. “I made a dumb joke on a comedy podcast,” he wrote. “I’m not going to bob and weave about context, the joke was dumb, the fandom is not.” He went on to add that green “is not stupid,” and is, in fact, his “lifelong favorite color.”
Hal Jordan and Kyle Rayner fight side by side as Green Lanterns – YouTube, Comics Explained
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“For a quiet, uncoordinated kid, there was nothing cooler than a hero whose superpower was his imagination,” he said. “I was sloppy and careless with my words, ironic considering I care so much about Hal, John and the entire Corps.” He closed with a promise: “I can and will do better to be worthy of the oath…”
The issue, however, was that many fans did not interpret the remark as a joke at all. Some critics felt that the damage to Lanterns had already been done, and that a social media post could only do so much to help the situation. Now, Fillion and Gunn have come to offer Lindelof their support.
Cast and Studio Support
Fillion, who plays Green Lantern Corp. member Guy Gardner, drew attention after leaving a comment on Lindelof’s post. “The joke was funny,” he wrote. “No harm, no foul! Keep up the great work, we appreciate you!” He ended with a green high-five emoji.
The main characters in DC’s Lanterns on HBO – X, @DiscussingFilm
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In response, Lindelof wrote: “@nathanfillion you are a fantastic Guy and an even more fantastic guy.”
James Gunn, who has sometimes been criticized for being too verbose online, simply commented with a green heart emoji. Together, their responses signal clear internal support for Lindelof as the series moves forward under scrutiny. Until the show arrives, the reaction to Lanterns remains a reminder that in comic book adaptations, perception can take shape long before the story ever does.
Does Nathan Fillion and James Gunn’s support of Damon Lindelof help or hurt the Lanterns situation? Let us know in the comments!
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Shitty damage control from all involved. No respect for any of them.
James Goon, Demon Littleelf, and Nathan Fillsaman. What a lineup.
What Hollywood thinks is gritty and cool instead comes over as trying too hard, and being clueless about the source material, which they are determined to “subvert” all the time. Which is their mission, to destroy culture, and replace it with DEI slop.