A previously unseen Green Lantern design from Zack Snyder Justice League Green Lantern has finally surfaced after eight years, with new concept art revealing what fans missed in the original 2017 film and its 2021 re-release on HBO Max. The artwork highlights Tomar-Re, a prominent alien member of the Lantern Corps, who was set to join Batman, Superman, and the rest of the Justice League before being cut from the film.
Unveiling the Scrapped Green Lantern Hero
Among DC’s Justice League heroes, the Green Lantern’s live-action appearances have been rare, especially in major feature films. Zack Snyder originally planned to include a Lantern Corps member in his Justice League ensemble, but that vision never made it to the final cut. Instead, core characters like Aquaman, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, and Superman led the team, with the Green Lantern notably absent.
Over the years, various Lantern Corps heroes have appeared in the DC universe, such as Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner, and John Stewart. Fans are anticipating Nathan Fillion’s portrayal of Guy Gardner in the upcoming 2025 Superman film. Yet, the Corps is known for including heroes from across the galaxy—among them is Tomar-Re, a fan-favorite alien Green Lantern from the planet Xandar and a member of the Xudarian species. In live-action, Geoffrey Rush previously voiced Tomar-Re in the 2011 Green Lantern movie. For Zack Snyder’s version, character designer Jerad S. Marantz, who contributed to both Green Lantern and Justice League films, developed a striking new look for Tomar-Re, which has now been shared with the public.
Artist Shares Insights Into the Justice League Design Process
Jerad S. Marantz recently offered a closer look at his creative process by posting the Tomar-Re concept art on Instagram. The images showcase multiple suit designs for the Green Lantern, including options with and without the iconic green eye mask. Marantz, reflecting on his experience, expressed both excitement for the opportunity and regret over the character‘s eventual removal from the film.
“Tomar-Re! One of my absolute favorite Green Lanterns. Almost forgot about this guy. I got the chance to do a pass on the character for Justice League a while back. He was unfortunately cut from the film, but we did get to see a deceased Kilowog in the Snyder cut. Working on Justice League was an incredible experience with Costume Designer [Michael Wilkinson]! He is easily one of the best in the industry. Justice League was definitely a career highlight.”
—Jerad S. Marantz, Character Designer
While fans were treated to a brief appearance of a fallen Kilowog in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Tomar-Re’s planned on-screen moment missed its chance. Marantz’s enthusiasm for both Tomar-Re and working alongside renowned costume designer Michael Wilkinson stands as a testament to the passion poured into the project, despite its changes in direction.
The Abandoned Justice League Finale
The revealed concept art was intended for use in the climax of the Justice League movie. According to production details, Tomar-Re, joined by fellow Lantern Kilowog, was originally scripted to visit Bruce Wayne at his lake house in the film‘s closing sequence. This ending was revised multiple times, at one stage even including Wayne T. Carr cast as John Stewart, another iconic Lantern Corps hero. Ultimately, the filmmakers decided to remove these characters, replacing the scene’s Lantern representatives with Martian Manhunter, played by Harry Lennix.
Despite no direct appearance, the Lantern Corps was acknowledged in a Justice League flashback. During this scene, the Lanterns, Amazonians, Atlanteans, and other groups could be seen valiantly opposing Steppenwolf and his invading forces, though ultimately suffering defeat. The omission of Tomar-Re and his counterparts remains one of the notable what-if moments for loyal DC fans, particularly those invested in the Zack Snyder Justice League Green Lantern saga.
Future Possibilities for Green Lanterns in the DC Universe
As the original DC Extended Universe wraps up, a new era is beginning under the guidance of James Gunn and Peter Safran at DC Studios. The transition brings renewed focus to previously sidelined characters, including the Lantern Corps. The outlook for Green Lanterns appears increasingly optimistic as the cinematic universe expands, suggesting Tomar-Re’s opportunity for redemption may be on the horizon.
Nathan Fillion’s role as Guy Gardner in the upcoming Superman film marks just the beginning of this shift. In addition, the studio is developing a Lanterns TV series for the new DCU, casting Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, both well-known Lanterns. While Tomar-Re’s inclusion has not been confirmed, his reputation as a mentor and his friendship with Hal Jordan in the comic books make his return possible. The narrative direction hints that intergalactic space corps heroes like the Lanterns will become essential elements in the DCU, paving the way for more cosmic adventures and potential live-action portrayals.
The resurrection of the Zack Snyder Justice League Green Lantern designs highlights the evolving nature of comic adaptations and the enduring appeal of the Lantern Corps within the DC universe. As both familiar and new characters are poised to enter the spotlight, fans can look forward to seeing their favorite heroes, perhaps even those once left on the cutting room floor, soar again in future stories.
