Movies

Get Ready for HBO’s Green Lantern: DC’s Next R-Rated Superhero Adventure!

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It’s been hinted that HBO’s upcoming series, “Lanterns,” will receive an R-rating, mirroring the rating system of three other shows in the DC Universe. The co-CEOs of DC Studios, James Gunn and Peter Safran, have outlined a daring strategy for the revamped superhero world: merging the blue imprint into a single primary continuity that encompasses diverse tones, styles, and genres. This range will stretch from the action-packed family entertainment of “Superman” to the grotesque horror elements of “Clayface” to the detective stories set on Earth, such as “Lanterns.

In a recent chat with Entertainment Weekly, it’s clear that Nathan Fillion, who plays Guy Gardner in the DC Universe, is gearing up for his comeback in 2026’s “Lanterns.” He hinted that this project might see him unleashing a barrage of expletives, possibly more than what I’ve used throughout my entire acting career. The sheer volume of foul language from one character certainly suggests that the HBO series could be rated TV-MA, much like its R-rated counterparts in cinema.

Fillion clarified that although he doesn’t share many scenes with Hal Jordan character-wise, he acted alongside Aaron Pierre who portrayed John Stewart. He hinted at his Green Lantern entering the scene as a “self-assured and arrogant fellow,” but by the end of it, you can perceive a change in his demeanor.

Aaron has a voice as smooth as butter and an imposing presence that suggests he was chiseled from marble. He’s meticulous about his character and the emotions his character experiences, and it’s evident that his character is dealing with something significant. Enter Guy Gardner, a charismatic but arrogant character. However, Guy starts to feel uncomfortable and loses his smugness in the presence of John. This is when you truly see John’s strength – he is an impressive individual.

DC Studios has openly acknowledged that the upcoming series, “Lanterns,” is drawing significant influence from HBO’s critically acclaimed crime drama, “True Detective.” However, it remains to be seen how the DC Universe show will employ its freedom for mature content beyond allowing Fillion to use a variety of explicit language.

It’s undeniable that Gardner came across as quite a difficult character in Superman, but his language was toned down due to the PG-13 rating. With this restriction lifted for Lanterns, the creative team will definitely have more leeway when it comes to depicting him, especially since he interacts with other Green Lanterns like John Stewart.

It seems highly probable that Lanterns will soon be added to DCU’s expanding collection of R-rated productions, which currently consists of three television series and a film scheduled for release in 2026.

The Other 3 R-Rated DCU Shows Announced So Far

Creature Commandos

Interestingly, it wasn’t a PG-13 family-friendly movie like Superman that kickstarted the DCU. Instead, it was the TV-MA animated series Creature Commandos, which ran for seven episodes and was penned by James Gunn. This series brought together an unexpected team of monsters for a globe-trotting adventure, introducing the DCU’s equivalent to Nick Fury in the process.

The adult-oriented adventures of the Creature Commandos continue, as their HBO Max animated series was given a green light for Season 2 in December 2024. The recent finale hinted at a revamped Task Force M lineup under the leadership of The Bride, featuring Doctor Phosphorus, Nosferata, Khalis, Weasel, G.I. Robot, and King Shark.

Peacemaker Season 2

DC Studios is getting ready to debut its inaugural R-rated live-action series titled “Peacemaker Season 2″ on August 21, featuring John Cena reprising his role as the eccentric anti-hero. Just like its 2022 premiere, this show earned an adults-only rating due to its graphic violence, nudity, strong language, and a myriad of other reasons that warranted the TV-MA warning.

In the upcoming season of “Peacemaker,” two members from the Justice Gang will make a comeback. This includes Nathan Fillion’s character, Guy Gardner, who now has two roles rated R after his initial appearance with a PG-13 rating in “Superman.

Mister Miracle

Mister Miracle, famously created by Tom King of DC Comics, will transform his 12-issue comic series from 2017 into a mature animated show. This series will center around Scott Free, a New God renowned as an exceptional escape artist throughout the galaxy, who is married to Big Barda, a heroic warrior hailing from Apokolips.

The anticipated DC Studios series is rumored to carry an R-rating, though it’s undecided whether it will take place within the DC Universe or serve as a separate Elseworlds production. With information about the project still limited, King has been tapped to oversee the on-screen adaptation of his 2017 comic, potentially delivering the mature themes and graphic violence from the source material to viewers.

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2025-07-14 23:40

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