While the DCEU has yet to find its Green Lantern, a new cosplay session is making a strong case for the Red Lanterns to be the Corps' antagonist. The Red Lantern Corps leader Atrocitus comes to life in a series of photos that proves rage-filled beings deserve an on-screen presence.
The Green Lanterns may be the most well-known lightbearers in the DC Universe, but they are just one fragment of an entire spectrum of energy. The Emotional Spectrum is made up seven standard lights, each with their own organization that has harnessed its unique power. The Red Lantern Corps is who uses the Red Light of Rage, and its members are selected for their intense levels of anger and hatred. Leading this crew is Atrocitus, the sole survivor of a massacre committed by a malfunctioning army of Manhunters in Sector 666. Atrocitus has focused his anger like a weapon and uses it on any enemy daring to cross him.
The Green Lanterns of Earth have yet to make their first appearance in the DC Extended Universe, and by extension neither have the Red Lantern Corps. But one cosplay session is making it hard to deny that the Red Lantern Atrocitus is more than worthy of being Green Lantern’s latest cinematic foe. In a series of photos posted on Instagram by @cjpropstudio, the leader of the Red Lanterns comes to life. Crediting photos to @rrimages2, @cjpropstudio thanks @its.fabian, @shedevilshanna, @bpen23 (not to mention EVA foam from @skaprops and @maskeddadworkshop) for their assistance in taking first place in NYCC's Championship of Cosplay's armor category.
The Green Lanterns Need The Reds For The DCEU
The detail on @cjpropstudio’s outfit truly pops in another photo by @rrimages2. This take on Atrocitus seems largely inspired by his appearance in the Injustice series, as implied by the volcano-like appendages on the Red Lantern Corps leader’s shoulders. Rather than a suit, this version of the Red Lantern has carapace-like plating all over his body, with smoldering, cracking skin just under the surface. It's a much more realistic and frightening take on the Lantern for sure.
And while neither the Green nor the Red Lanterns have debuted in the DCEU films just yet, one final photo raises the idea of a battle between the two factions. @cjpropstudio and @rrimages2 bring @xoxox_jessica_xoxox for a tableau that shows Atrocitus facing off against Jessica Cruz. Tensions appear to rise between the two as the Red Lantern faces Green Lantern Jessica Cruz, and while the two aren’t fighting just yet, it doesn’t seem long before a conflict could break out.
The default villain fans may push for in a Green Lantern movie may be Sinestro, but cjpropstudio’s cosplay really does sell the idea of a Red Lantern conflict being much more entertaining. They’re far more terrifying in appearance and could be a threat to even the mightiest of the Corps. If there’s on thing cjpropstudio does successfully (in addition to nailing their Atrocitus costume), it’s making the argument that the Green Lanterns must face the Red Lanterns in the DCEU.