Lanterns Forced HBO Show to Change Plot

The Big Bang Theory spinoff Stuart Fails to Save the Universe is one of the most unexpected shows of the year. A side character from the original sitcom now leads a multiversal dark comedy on HBO. The series visits wild locations in each new episode. Most recently, the cast traveled to Gotham City and ran into the Flash, but that was not the original plan.

The episode title “Spoiler: We Couldn’t Get Green Lantern” hints at which DC hero the showrunners actually wanted first. Series co-creator Zak Penn shared with Deadline that DC executives told the team they could not use Green Lantern because of the show Lanterns. Audiences can currently watch two versions of the character, Hal Jordan and John Stewart, in action in HBO’s Lanterns.

Penn noted that DC was still cooperative outside of that restriction. The team pivoted to the Flash because the silliness of the character’s Golden Age version appealed to the writers. Only one episode remains in the current season of Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, but HBO has already renewed the series. Penn stated he would be shocked if the writers do not include more DC universe references in the future.

What will happen in the last few episodes of Lanterns?

Lanterns is also getting close to ending its run. Only three episodes remain. The story is finally returning to the massive episode-one cliffhanger from 2026 involving the death of Hal Jordan. John Stewart returned Hal’s ring to the Guardians but refused to take up the mantle, setting the stage for a murder mystery.

The mid-season trailer teased that viewers will see more of Kyle Chandler as Jordan. A third lantern will also appear. Nathan Fillion will reprise his role as Guy Gardner from Superman in at least one upcoming episode.

Source: Polygon