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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 theLanternsTV series announced in theGods and Monsterschapter will pave the way for the franchise to adapt theBlackest Nightstoryline from the comics. The storyline is considered one of the darkest ones in DC comics and is centered around the Lantern Corps.
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James Gunn’s DCU May Set UpBlackest NightStoryline InLanterns
Lanternswill feature Hal Jordan and John Stewart as the lead Green Lanterns. In the press release announcing the slate for DCU,James GunnandPeter Safranwere most excited aboutLanterns. 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 theBlackest Nightstoryline into the DCU.
In the comics, theBlackest Nightevents 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’sAvengers: Secret Wars.
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James Gunn May AddBlackest NightMovie To TheGods And MonstersChapter
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 includeBlackest Nightas the first crossover event inChapter Oneitself. If the storyline is announced, it could most certainly spoil the fate of other DCU characters coming before it.
Blackest Nightwould 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, includingFlashpoint,Crisis on Infinite Earths, orFinal Crisis,Blackest Nightcould more organically expand the DC universe.
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Since there’s a lot to establish before aBlackest Nightmovie, the series format forLanternsis justified. WhileNathan Fillionis confirmed as Guy Gardner, the casting of Hal Jordan and John Stewart is yet to be confirmed. All editions ofBlackest Nightare now available for purchase.
Hashim Asraff
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3017
Hashim Asraff is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, with over 2,800 articles published on celebrity culture, comic book movies, and major TV franchises. With a background in Sociology and a keen interest in pop culture, Hashim brings a unique lens to breaking news stories, character deep-dives, film rankings, and fan-driven perspectives.His coverage often includes the MCU, DCU, hit network shows, and celebrity profiles, giving readers a rich blend of entertainment and analysis. A longtime fan of crime and investigative series, Hashim has watched thousands of episodes of NCIS, Criminal Minds, Law & Order: SVU, Bones, Blue Bloods, and The RookieA passionate storyteller and wordsmith, Hashim has also worked as a ghostwriter and managed multiple social media handles. He brought his writing expertise to FandomWire to also pursue his lifelong love for cinema and television.
