James Gunn has revealed very little about his plans for the DCU, but speculations run wild on the internet. The initial slate announced at the beginning of 2023 did not involve any crossover events, as Gunn and Peter Safran wanted to avoid the mistakes the DCEU made. However, a popular fan theory suggests that one project in the current slate may set the base for the DCU’s first crossover event.
Many believe that the Lanterns TV series announced in the Gods and Monsters chapter will pave the way for the franchise to adapt the Blackest Night storyline from the comics. The storyline is considered one of the darkest ones in DC comics and is centered around the Lantern Corps.
James Gunn’s DCU May Set Up Blackest Night Storyline In Lanterns
Lanterns will feature Hal Jordan and John Stewart as the lead Green Lanterns. In the press release announcing the slate for DCU, James Gunn and Peter Safran were most excited about Lanterns. Safran described the series to be “very much in the vein of True Detective” (via Variety). Safran shared that the two Green Lanterns in the series will investigate a mystery that plays a major role in the bigger DCU picture.
The DC chief also added that the vision for the series would be a “terrestrial-based investigation story”. Fans speculate that everything Safran said points to a potential crossover film set on Earth, where the Lantern Corps will play a central role. One popular fan theory suggested that Gunn and Safran were looking to adapt the Blackest Night storyline into the DCU.
In the comics, the Blackest Night events unfold after the battle between the Green Lantern Corps and the Sinestro Corps. William Derek Hand, aka Black Hand, raises the dead from their graves, and a Black Lantern Power Battery forges rings for the dead to convert them into the Black Lantern Corps. Black Hand’s ultimate goal succeeds as he raises the embodiment of death, Nekron.
While the Earth’s surviving heroes fight the resurrected heroes who now belong to the Black Lantern Corps, all Lantern Corps set aside their differences and come together to stop Black Hand and Nekron. Sinestro redeems himself by hosting the ‘beginning of life’ Entity. It later merges with Hal Jordan, who transforms all Black Lantern heroes into White Lanterns. The Entity provides White Rings for all those who were resurrected, thus bringing them back to life.
When James Gunn adapts this story to the DCU, he would have to kill off several characters prematurely. However, it is believed that, unlike the comics, the live-action adaptation may feature Superman and Batman on the living side rather than the undead side. Gunn wouldn’t hold back on anything as he looks to compete with MCU’s Avengers: Secret Wars.
James Gunn May Add Blackest Night Movie To The Gods And Monsters Chapter
Interestingly, James Gunn revealed that there was one project that he was keeping a secret because “the idea itself is giving away too much”. While it could be anything, fans suggest that Gunn plans to include Blackest Night as the first crossover event in Chapter One itself. If the storyline is announced, it could most certainly spoil the fate of other DCU characters coming before it.
Blackest Night would also be the most ideal crossover event because it establishes a storyline vastly different from the earlier DCEU. Also, compared to drastic storylines involving crossovers, including Flashpoint, Crisis on Infinite Earths, or Final Crisis, Blackest Night could more organically expand the DC universe.
Since there’s a lot to establish before a Blackest Night movie, the series format for Lanterns is justified. While Nathan Fillion is confirmed as Guy Gardner, the casting of Hal Jordan and John Stewart is yet to be confirmed. All editions of Blackest Night are now available for purchase.
