Hal Jordan and John Stewart Take the Spotlight in This Gritty New Green Lantern Series
Key Takeaways:
- James Gunn Shares First Look – The highly anticipated Lanterns series is officially in production.
- Kyle Chandler & Aaron Pierre Star – The two actors portray legendary Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart.
- Crime Thriller Twist – The series follows the duo as they investigate a dark, earth-based mystery in the American heartland.
- Star-Studded Cast – Featuring Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, and Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro.
- No Release Date Yet – An official premiere date is still under wraps.
A Gritty New Chapter in the DC Universe
James Gunn has given fans their first glimpse at Lanterns, HBO’s upcoming Green Lantern-focused series. The DCU co-head took to social media to share an official first-look image, confirming that production is now underway.
Starring Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, Lanterns promises a fresh take on the intergalactic heroes. The series blends sci-fi action with a gripping murder mystery, a unique twist on traditional superhero storytelling.
What We Know About the Plot
According to the official logline, Lanterns will follow:
“New recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.”
This detective-driven approach brings a neo-noir, True Detective-style element to the superhero genre, setting it apart from previous Green Lantern adaptations.
Meet the Cast
Aside from Chandler and Pierre leading the series, Lanterns boasts a supporting cast filled with top-tier talent:
- Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry, a local law enforcer caught in the investigation.
- Garret Dillahunt as William Macon, a rugged cowboy-type character.
- Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe, John Stewart’s potential love interest.
- Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro, one of the Green Lanterns’ most infamous villains.
This stellar lineup signals HBO’s commitment to bringing cinematic-quality storytelling to the DC Universe.
Behind the Scenes: Who’s Making It Happen?
Lanterns is co-written by a powerhouse trio of creatives:
- Chris Mundy (Ozark),
- Damon Lindelof (Watchmen, Lost), and
- Tom King, a veteran DC Comics writer with extensive experience in Green Lantern lore.
All three serve as executive producers alongside James Gunn and James Hawes (Slow Horses), who is also directing the first two episodes.
How Lanterns Fits Into the DCU
Lanterns is set within James Gunn and Peter Safran’s rebooted DCU, and will be a key part of their storytelling approach. Unlike previous DC projects that existed in separate universes, Lanterns is expected to tie into the larger cinematic universe, potentially setting up future Green Lantern and cosmic DC storylines.
Additionally, an animated series titled My Adventures With Green Lantern is in development as a spin-off of the successful My Adventures With Superman series on Max.
When Will Lanterns Be Released?
While production has officially begun, HBO has not announced an official release date for Lanterns. However, given its early 2025 production timeline, fans can likely expect a premiere date in late 2025 or early 2026.
Final Thoughts: A Game-Changer for DC?
With its gritty crime-thriller approach, A-list cast, and talented creative team, Lanterns has all the ingredients to become one of HBO’s biggest DCU hits. The shift toward dark, investigative storytelling could introduce a fresh perspective on superhero TV, drawing in both comic book fans and crime drama lovers alike.
Stay tuned for more updates as production continues!
