The HBO DC series Lanterns has added a significant character to its lineup with Sinestro, one of the most notorious villains in the Green Lantern universe. Danish actor Ulrich Thomsen has been cast in the recurring role of the manipulative, yet charismatic, former Green Lantern, whose sinister turn will add even more intrigue to the upcoming series.
This casting was first reported by Deadline.
Ulrich Thomsen has been cast as Sinestro in the ‘LANTERNS’ series.
(Source: Deadline) pic.twitter.com/8m8K2hXWjj
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) January 24, 2025
Thomsen, known for his work in both Danish and American productions, joins a star-studded cast that includes Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, who play legendary Lantern Hal Jordan and new recruit John Stewart, respectively. The series also features Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, and Poorna Jagannathan in pivotal roles. The Lanterns series follows Jordan and Stewart, two intergalactic police officers who are drawn into a dark mystery on Earth as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
Sinestro, a pivotal figure in the Green Lantern saga, has a long history in the DC Comics universe. Once a member of the Green Lantern Corps, he was cast out after abusing his immense power. He’s obsessed with toppling his former student, Hal Jordan. It’s a defining element of his character that led to an epic comic book arc known as the Sinestro Corps. War.
Sinestro sends out yellow rings to form the Sinestro Corps – YouTube, Variant Comics
Sinestro’s ruthlessness and manipulative nature make him one of the most complex and dangerous villains in the DC mythos. He was played by Mark Strong in the 2011 bomb Green Lantern starring Ryan Reynolds. That film showcased Sinestro as the greatest of the Green Lanterns and ended with him donning a yellow fear-powered ring which would have factored into a sequel that never happened.
I’m very excited to see what he can do as Sinestro.
But we really wasted a god tier casting with Mark Strong in 2011. https://t.co/46AaEKOVAU pic.twitter.com/AUwzHOz1Yt
— A.J. (@AJM0013) January 24, 2025
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He has also been voiced by multiple actors in animated projects over the years, cementing his place as a central figure in the franchise.
Thomsen’s casting marks a new chapter for the character. With a career spanning Danish films like Festen (“The Celebration”) and notable American TV roles in Banshee, The Blacklist, Counterpart, and The New Pope, Thomsen brings an impressive range to the role. His portrayal of Sinestro will no doubt explore the complex psychological and emotional depths of the character, who is defined by his tragic fall from grace and his obsession with revenge.
Actor Ulrich Thomsen – Photo Credit: Paul Katzenberger, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The Lanterns series is co-written by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, with James Hawes directing the first two episodes. The eight-episode series is produced by HBO in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios. Originally slated to be a Max original, Lanterns will now be airing on HBO as part of a broader shift in content strategy.
Will you watch Lanterns on HBO with Sinestro as a main villain? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
But how many Lanterns are they making gay?
Ryan Reynolds will be overjoyed when he no longer stars in the worst Green Lantern adaptation of all time.