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DC Casts Gay Green Lantern Alan Scott For HBO Max Series

Ring-wielder Alan Scott joins Guy Gardner in HBO Max's upcoming Green Lantern series.

By Eric Frederiksen on May 27, 2021 at 3:51PM PDT

Superman is Clark Kent and Batman is Bruce Wayne, but since the very beginning Green Lantern has been a title, and the Lanterns are legion. DC has now cast a second Lantern for its upcoming HBO Max series: the original Green Lantern, Alan Scott.

Actor Jeremy Irvine announced on Instagram this week that he'll be stepping into the role of Alan Scott. Scott was the very first Green Lantern, debuting in July 1940. In the original story, Scott was a railroad engineer who finds a magical lantern. Scott has come and gone in the comics over the years, but in 2012 the character came out as gay, and in that timeline was the head of a media empire. In the HBO Max series, he'll be playing a closeted gay FBI agent in the year 1941, according to TVLine. While Scott has appeared in Smallville and Stargirl, this will be the first live-action appearance that deals with his sexual orientation.

HBO Max announced the series in 2019. Just last month, movement began on the series once again as the studio cast Finn Wittrock as Green Lantern Guy Gardner. Gardner first appeared in 1968, the third primary Green Lantern after Alan Scott and Hal Jordan, though Scott wasn't part of the Green Lantern Corps, and his ring's power came from regular old magic instead of the Central Power Battery of Oa.

As yet uncast Lanterns include Jessica Cruz and Simon Baz; more popular Lanterns Hal Jordan, John Stewart, and Kyle Rayner have not yet been mentioned in association with Green Lantern. Marc Guggenheim and Seth Grahame-Smith are co-writing the ten-episode show, and Grahme-Smith will serve as showrunner. Arrowverse mastermind Greg Berlanti is also executive producing. This won't be Grahame-Smith's first outing with the Lanterns, either, as he wrote the 2011 Green Lantern film starring Ryan Reynolds, who just watched the movie for the first time this winter.

Green Lantern does not yet have a premiere date.

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What’s this show rated? Considering sexual preference is the headline here, I’m assuming this one won’t be for the kids?

2 • 3 years ago

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@smouche_mole: Seems kind of ignorant to assume that. PG rated movies don't show straight people going balls deep into each other. Seems more like to me that, like Straight Characters, we will probably see maybe a kiss? That's about as far as it will go?

3 • 3 years ago

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@P00DGE: you’re missing the point, but you resort to name calling (ignorant)? How ironic.

When your headline brings up the main character’s sexual orientation, the assumption is that it’s a main focal point.

We don’t care who one lies with, perhaps except those shoving it down our throats. . . pun intended.

ACCEPT MEEEEE :|

3 • 3 years ago

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@smouche_mole: Your assumption is that a DC show about Green Lantern is going to not be safe for children because it will show indecent sexual interactions between two men, because they are labeled as gay.

That is wild. And lacking of critical thought/logic. OF COURSE it won't be some sex ridden show that is not okay for kids to watch, it is Green Lantern. Not Game of Thrones.

Sexual identify and inclusiveness of differences is a big social issue in the world today, so mentioning that one character in an upcoming show is gay does not equate to now being inappropriate for children.

And if you have any kind of romance story thread in a show, and most stories do at some point, why not have one of the many be gay? It isn't a big deal if they take one romance side story with a character, and have it be about two gay people. Doesn't mean we are going to see them bang, same as it doesn't mean seeing a straight romance means they are going to bang.

3 • 3 years ago

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@P00DGE: “Sexual identify and inclusiveness of differences is a big social issue in the world today”

And you think children should be conscious of this?

So children should tune in to watch Gay Green Lantern bc he’s gay, not bc they just want to watch Green Lantern?

My point is who cares if he’s gay or straight or likes some sort of halvsies as Dwight so famously put it?

Headline leading with this seems a bit self-serving.

I can’t recall watching any superhero shows growing up and even recognizing the sexual orientations and tensions of the actors. That wasn’t nor should it be the focal point, yet the headline is making sure that it is for some damn reason.

If you believe this show will be suitable for kids, then why should that classification even be necessary (gay vs straight)? Kids are growing up far too fast these days anyways, but Gamespot wants to ensure they know about sex and it’s differences too now (assuming you’re correct and this show is intended for children)?

2 • 3 years ago

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Edited By Boodger

@smouche_mole: Being gay isn't just about sex. We all certainly knew Peter Parker's sexual orientation because of MJ. Is it a problem if the hero instead has a romance with someone of the same sex? We didn't see Spiderman porking MJ in any of the films, they just kissed. And his relationship with her in MOST of the films absolutely is a focal point, it defines a lot of his motivations. What is wrong with that same thing happening with gay characters?

Headlines on websites are not official statements by production companies. If you look at the tweet, the announcement didn't mention the "gay" part even once. Reporters took it on themselves to point out that detail about the comics/character, because it is an interesting point worth noting in today's climate.

Kids absolutely should be aware of social issues, because it helps prepare them for adulthood, and we should be raising accepting and kind humans. Furthermore, as a kid begins growing, they may begin to feel bad about themselves if they see they are different from how everything is portrayed in movies and television. Having these issues tackled in appropriate ways, and showing that everyone (regardless of differences) is okay, can help them validate their own nature.

3 • 3 years ago

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@P00DGE: I completely disagree

Upvote • 3 years ago

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@smouche_mole: Got it. So by completely disagree, you disagree with all my statements above. Meaning, you believe it is a problem if something shows a relationship between two gay people, even if all it only ever shows a kiss. Meaning, you believe kids should not be taught that being gay is a normal thing they shouldn't be worried about. Meaning, you believe that we should teach kids to be accepting and kind to others. Meaning, you disagree that the announcement itself did not draw attention to the "gay" part, only the reporting?

I just want to be sure that others see exactly what you mean when you say "completely disagree", just so it is known that you actually mean that, and are therefore intolerant and bigoted.

2 • 3 years ago

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@P00DGE: you’re clearly looking for a fight and I’m not gonna there with some internet justice warrior.

Note all the slights you’ve made towards me and you know nothing about me. You deserve to be choke slammed but you won’t bc you hide behind a screen.

Do I believe it’s ok to be teaching kids about sex and orientation on a video gaming website? Nope.

If someone likes the same sexual orientation, that’s their business. Doesn’t mean I have to agree with it either, but that’s beside the point, and it’s actually the beauty of living in a semi free country, referring to my country, that is

Upvote • 3 years ago

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@smouche_mole: "Doesn’t mean I have to agree with it either, but that’s beside the point, and it’s actually the beauty of living in a semi free country, referring to my country, that is"

He says, after saying

"You deserve to be choke slammed but you won’t bc you hide behind a screen."

For words typed to him on the internet. You know, for someone acting so tough, you sure seem to have a hurt ego for something so trivial said on the internet.

Anyway, interesting that you didn't deny any of what I asked. Must be true then. And yet, despite you saying you don't want to get into a fight with some internet justice warrior, you follow that statement up with statements indicating you are going to anyway! LMAO

2 • 3 years ago

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Edited By SMOUCHE_MOLE

@P00DGE: for name calling pal. Talk shit all night long. . . Apparently that’s what you do. Night night

Upvote • 3 years ago

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@smouche_mole: You want to choke slam someone for "name calling"? How fragile is your ego?

3 • 3 years ago

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Edited By Clubhouse

@P00DGE: SMOUCHE_MOLE's point is why is Gay even in the title of the article. His comic is not called Gay Green Lantern its Green Lantern or Earth-2 the series where he was announced as gay. When the article title includes the sexual preference and the show is being made by HBO, which almost because they are making it guarantees its not for kids. Should we/they change the name of Doom Patrol another DC property where many of the main characters are Gay to Gay Doom Patrol which is being made by HBO and is definitely not for kids. The actor was cast as Alan Scott the first Green Lantern who happens to be a gay man not the Gay Green Lantern. To me this type of title by the article writer is a form of bigotry. Why not "Jeremy Irvine cast as Green Lantern Alan Scott on HBO Max Show" then tell the readers about Alan Scott in the main article like was done.

2 • 3 years ago

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@clubhouse: I don't disagree with most of what you are saying. Having that detail in the title was certainly more of a clickbaity tactic. But we all know many of the people in this comment section would still be complaining, even if that detail about the character was only shared in the article and not the title.

Also, just to point out, HBO does produce some kind friendly content too. They actually make all kinds of content, for a lot of different audiences. It is just that usually their more popular content is very adult orientated (Sopranos, Game of Thrones, Westworld, Silicon Valley, etc). But they do have original content for younger audiences too.

2 • 3 years ago

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I forgot Alan Scott was in Smallville.

2 • 3 years ago

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Wow no thanks.

Upvote • 3 years ago

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I'm glad they're using someone other than Hal, but there's a whole lot more to Alan than his sexual preference and I hope they don't make it the focal point of his character.

4 • 3 years ago

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@ToadstoolPeach: That's exactly what I thought. Alan has a rich story line. Just like Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman etc, their sexuality is the least important piece of the story.

I really hope they don't try to make this another political statement.

2 • 3 years ago

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@ToadstoolPeach: That's not the way it works, though. In *The Current Year* if you take a gay character, or even a real gay human being, and focus on their accomplishments, their qualities, their character- anything OTHER than their sexuality, you're a bigot. Apparently. Despite that being the exact opposite of bigotry. Because it's the bigot who focuses on the incidentals and not the virtues.

But hey, what do I know? I'm not allowed to judge people by the content of their character, because of the color of my skin...

7 • 3 years ago

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Normal people don't care if news breaks that a character is gay. The children in this comment section just HAD to complain about it though.

You know guys, this show will have multiple Green lanterns. It is okay if one of them is gay. It is also okay to show super heroes as regular people, with regular lives, when they aren't being a hero. And that also means some of them would be gay. Who cares?

5 • 3 years ago

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@P00DGE: only in Hollyweird.

Upvote • 3 years ago

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Oh another gay guy. That’s fresh

6 • 3 years ago

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@hal_jordan121: its funny because there was a legitimate concern/argument that they were underrepresented before, but they comically overcorrected to the point where this is where we are lol

5 • 3 years ago

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@IcyBlaze_XZ: I don't see how. 90% of movies, tv shows etc, always had a gay guy. The best friend, the friend, the brother, the sister, the cousin. Was Brokeback Mountain not a thing? Never seen it never will but it is getting ridiculous.

According to this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_demographics_of_the_United_States

About 3.8 of the total population is part of the LGTBQ+ community, that is 4 out of every 100 individuals. I believe they do have their fair share of representation, even more now.

3 • 3 years ago

PrpleTrtleBuBum

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PrpleTrtleBuBum

@alex33x: then why was brokeback mountain a thing, even a contradictive piece. if every movie has had gay people?

maybe its just me but Friends, bel air, 24, fastlane, poirot, matrix, every disney movie, married with children, burton or nolan batmans, jurassic park or 90% of other stuff ive watched hasnt had any gay characters. ok theyve rarely even put emphasis on straight relations and maybe thats why i watch those kind of series

but also the creators need to understand their audience. filling a show with all kinds of people and relations is the very definition of trying to please everyone and pleasing no one (well except those gender thing grazed people). if bel air was about a young person coming to terms with his gayness i wouldnt relate and theyd completely lose my interest. thats how i feel with modern family and its completely a bore because it goes all over the place from kid problems to adult problems to women problems to foreigner problems.

2 • 3 years ago

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@alex33x said:

@IcyBlaze_XZ: I don't see how. 90% of movies, tv shows etc, always had a gay guy. The best friend, the friend, the brother, the sister, the cousin. Was Brokeback Mountain not a thing? Never seen it never will but it is getting ridiculous.

According to this https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBT_demographics_of_the_United_States

About 3.8 of the total population is part of the LGTBQ+ community, that is 4 out of every 100 individuals. I believe they do have their fair share of representation, even more now.

It depends how you define "always." If "always" means "in the last 10-15 years" then maybe.

Upvote • 3 years ago

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Cool. Him being gay means what exactly? Oh right. Ticking boxes. Remember people. Outside of a EXTREMELY small vocal minority no one cares who you sleep with :D

11 • 3 years ago

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Here before GS locks comments to say that honestly if anything having one's sexuality overpower literally anything else (He's the friggin first Green Lantern, a superhero) makes it look like tokenism, which does more harm than good.

Shame on you.

9 • 3 years ago

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A character whose defining trait is what kind of person he prefers to sleep with. Also he's a Green Lantern.

"You know, for kids!"

10 • 3 years ago

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GS forgot to lock the comments, lol.

7 • 3 years ago

Use your keyboard!

ESC

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