Written by (Photo Courtesy: DCU)
Laterns has sparked a strong reaction to its new live-action Sinestro. Ulrich Thomsen plays the iconic Green Lantern character in the new DCU series. The reveal takes place in Episode 2, “Trust Fall”, when Hal Jordon (Kyle Chandler) visits him in the space prison for information about the Manhunters.
The reveal has fans comparing Thomsen’s portrayal with Mark Strong‘s Sinestro from 2011’s Green Lantern. Strong’s Sinestro looked mostly human, while Thomsen’s version is more comic book-accurate with his signature pink skin, a mustache, and clear alien features. The series also gives Sinestro a different role, showing him as a manipulative character rather than a typical villain.
Why Sinestro is getting so much attention
Sinestro’s comic-accurate appearance is one of the biggest reasons for the online excitement. Thomsen’s pink skin and alien features stand out, especially compared to Strong’s more human-looking Sinestro. @AxelTalksFilm on X shared a side-by-side comparison of Thomsen’s look with comic artwork and wrote, “That pink skin is so beautiful, welcome back king.”
The character’s role in the story is another major talking point. Sinestro is not the main villain in the season. Instead, he is already in prison after turning against the Guardians and killing one of them. Hal was the one who defeated him, which makes their meeting more important. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the creative team revealed that they approached Sinestro’s character similar to Hannibal Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs.
Hal visits Sinestro to learn more about the Manhunters. However, Sinestro uses the conversation to psychologically manipulate his former student. He also brings up John Stewart, who could eventually take Hal’s place as a Green Lantern. Their dynamic has already impressed fans on the internet. @redelk_yt on X shared the clip of their conversation and wrote, “In just a few seconds, Lanterns nails the Hal/Sinestro dynamic. This show just gets it.”For DC fans, Sinestro’s future in the DCU is exciting. He is one of Hal Jordan’s biggest enemies in the comics and later leads the Sinestro Corps. Lanterns is giving fans a comic-accurate Sinestro and a strong history with Hal, making them excited for what comes next.
