Nathan Fillion and James Gunn Support Damon Lindelof After ‘Lanterns’ Comment Backlash

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The new HBO Max series, Lanterns, is generating a lot of discussion – and some controversy – among DC Comics fans. Initial concerns arose from the trailer’s mature tone, and comments made by writer and producer Damon Lindelof intensified the debate. Now, both star Nathan Fillion and DC Studios head James Gunn have publicly voiced their support for Lindelof’s vision.

Nathan Fillion is a fan favorite, and James Gunn’s statement suggests the studio supports him. However, it’s still uncertain if this will resolve the recent criticism.

Backlash Begins

During a podcast appearance on Lovett or Leave It last year, Lindelof jokingly said the show was originally going to be called Lanterns, but they decided the green color associated with the characters was silly. Many fans interpreted this comment as a disrespect towards a key part of the comic book’s history.

After the trailer for Lanterns was released, people began discussing comments made previously about the show’s style. Many viewers had already noticed the trailer’s subdued colors and realistic feel. This approach seemed different from the Green Lantern comics, which are typically known for their imaginative alien planets, incredible creations, and exciting space fights. The marketing suggested a slow-paced crime drama, which didn’t quite match the adventurous spirit of the original comics.

Criticism quickly extended beyond fans to prominent voices within the comic industry.

Grant Morrison, a longtime writer for DC Comics, responded to comments made by TV writer and producer Damon Lindelof in a recent Substack post. Morrison questioned why Lindelof would work on Green Lantern if he considered the concept of a ‘green’ Lantern Corps to be ‘stupid.’

Morrison warned that taking the wrong approach to the material could alienate fans.

Lindelof Responds

Lindelof addressed fan concerns in a long Instagram post, admitting he’d made a silly joke on a podcast. He acknowledged the joke wasn’t good and stated his respect for the fanbase. He also clarified that he considers green a great color – it’s actually his favorite!

He explained that, as a shy and clumsy child, he always admired heroes who could solve problems with their minds. He admitted he wasn’t always careful with his own words, which he found amusing given how much he valued characters like Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and the entire Green Lantern Corps. He finished by pledging to improve and live up to the standards of their oath.

However, many fans didn’t realize the comment was meant as a joke. Some critics believed the negative reaction to Lanterns had already taken hold, and a simple social media post wouldn’t be enough to fix things. Now, Nathan Fillion and James Gunn are publicly supporting Lindelof.

Cast and Studio Support

I saw Nathan Fillion, who played Guy Gardner in the Green Lantern stuff, leave a really gracious comment on Damon Lindelof’s post. He basically said he thought the joke was funny, that no harm was done, and that he and others appreciated Lindelof’s work. He even finished it off with a green high-five emoji – a nice touch, honestly!

Lindelof replied to Nathan Fillion, praising him as a wonderful person both as an actor and as an individual.

James Gunn, known for occasionally writing lengthy posts online, simply reacted with a green heart emoji. Combined with other responses, this shows strong support for Lindelof as the series develops amidst public attention. Until the show is released, the reaction to Lanterns highlights how public opinion can form even before the full story is known in comic book adaptations.

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2026-03-18 22:56