Lanterns Prompted a Positive Plot Shift in Another HBO Series

The spinoff from The Big Bang Theory, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe, has emerged as one of the year’s most surprising hits. This dark comedy, featuring a side character from the original sitcom, takes viewers on a wild ride through the multiverse on HBO, with the latest episode landing in Gotham City. While the cast found themselves in the DC universe, the Flash swooped in to save the day, although that wasn’t the initial plan.

The episode titled “Spoiler: We Couldn’t Get Green Lantern” hints at the original hero the showrunners had in mind. However, series co-creator Zak Penn revealed that they were told a firm no regarding Green Lantern due to the ongoing project, Lanterns. So, Green Lantern was off the table for Stuart Fails to Save the Universe. Fans can currently catch two versions of the character, Hal Jordan and John Stewart, in action in HBO’s Lanterns.

Despite the Green Lantern setback, DC was still open to collaboration, leading to the inclusion of the Flash. Penn noted that the quirky nature of the Golden Age version of the character resonated with the team, making him a great fit for the show. With just one episode left in the season, Stuart Fails to Save the Universe has already secured a renewal from HBO, and Penn expressed confidence that future episodes will continue to weave in elements from the DC universe.

Meanwhile, Lanterns is also nearing its conclusion, with only three episodes remaining. The show is set to revisit the dramatic cliffhanger from episode one, where Hal Jordan was left dead in 2026. John Stewart has returned Hal’s ring to the Guardians but is hesitant to take on the mantle, setting the stage for an intriguing murder mystery.

The mid-season trailer has teased more appearances from Kyle Chandler as Jordan, and it’s been confirmed that Nathan Fillion will reprise his role as Guy Gardner from Superman in at least one upcoming episode. With both shows performing well, there’s potential for an exciting crossover between Lanterns and Stuart Fails to Save the Universe in the future.