‘Lanterns’ Creators Warn Fans They Might Hate Us After Shocking Episode 1 Twist

HBO’s ‘Lanterns’ made it clear from its debut episode that this series will not follow the usual superhero formula where everything resets. The premiere stunned viewers by killing off Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan, leaving John Stewart, portrayed by Aaron Pierre, to navigate the aftermath.

This bold choice was so unexpected that the creators anticipate some backlash from fans. In an interview with DiscussingFilm, co-creators Damon Lindelof and Tom King shared their reasoning behind Hal’s death and their willingness to take such a significant risk early in the series.

The episode follows Hal and John as they investigate a mysterious case in Rushville, Nebraska. The narrative shifts through various timelines, ultimately revealing Hal’s death years later at the same football field where part of their investigation unfolded.

For Lindelof, viewer reactions were a crucial factor in this decision. He emphasized that the creative team aimed for audiences to feel genuine emotions rather than just watching another superhero tale with minimal lasting impact.

“We want audiences to feel sad, and we want them to feel mad, and we want them to feel confused,” Lindelof told DiscussingFilm.

The creators also sought to avoid a common issue in modern superhero narratives: characters rarely undergo meaningful change. Lindelof described this as a reset, where characters endure an entire season only to revert to their original state.

Hal’s death was intended to prevent this from happening to John. Instead of merely becoming another Green Lantern alongside Hal, John must now carry on without the mentor who was meant to guide him. According to Lindelof, this loss needed to have significant consequences for John’s growth.

The episode also dropped a significant hint earlier on. Hal tells John that he will only get the ring by taking it from his “cold, dead hand.” After the episode’s conclusion, that line takes on a whole new significance.

Lindelof mentioned that the team wanted to explore the implications of John hearing those words and then experiencing them firsthand.

This decision was not made lightly. Lindelof revealed that he and King debated whether killing Hal was the right choice. Ultimately, they concluded that the mystery required a victim who resonated with the audience, rather than introducing a character with no emotional connection.

The creators understand why fans may not readily embrace this choice. Lindelof admitted, “The fans are going to hate us,” acknowledging that viewers have waited over a decade to see Hal Jordan return in live action.

Nevertheless, he believes the true test will come at the season’s conclusion, not immediately after the first episode.

“What matters most is where they’re sitting at the end of the eighth episode and whether they felt it was a necessary turn for the story to move forward,” Lindelof explained.

Tom King also emphasized that ‘Lanterns’ is intended to hold a significant place in the new DC Universe. In his conversation with DiscussingFilm, he stated that the series should not feel like mere filler between major DC films.

“Yes, this matters. This is important,” King asserted.

For now, Hal’s death has dramatically altered the trajectory of ‘Lanterns’. Whether this daring choice pays off will depend on the unfolding events, but the creators have clearly opted for consequences over safety.

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