DCU’s ‘Lanterns’ Reveals New Look at Hal Jordan and John Stewart in Action

A fresh glimpse at DC Studios’ upcoming series ‘Lanterns’ has been unveiled, providing fans with a better understanding of how Hal Jordan and John Stewart will collaborate in the show.

The series is being crafted for HBO by showrunner Chris Mundy, who describes the project as a blend of grand cosmic themes and a grounded, Earth-centric mystery. Mundy notes that the show is structured like a crime drama while fully embracing the Green Lantern mythos. He shared, “We wanted to tell an on-the-ground story… we wanted it to feel like an upscale mystery, a very emotionally tangible story about these people that are in it.” This insight comes from his interview with Entertainment Weekly.

‘Lanterns’ follows seasoned Green Lantern Hal Jordan, portrayed by Kyle Chandler, alongside new recruit John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre. The duo investigates a peculiar case in Nebraska involving a small-town shooting that may have extraterrestrial ties. However, local sheriff Kerry, portrayed by Kelly Macdonald, remains skeptical about any supernatural elements.

The narrative unfolds across two timelines. One is set in 2016 during the initial investigation, while the other takes place a decade later in 2026, where a second mystery emerges. Mundy indicates that both timelines are interconnected and will gradually reveal different facets of the overarching story.

The series also delves into the relationship between Hal and John, with Hal stepping into the role of a reluctant mentor. Their dynamic is influenced by the history of the Green Lantern Corps and notable figures like Sinestro, who trained Hal in his formative years. Mundy hinted at this legacy, explaining how lessons and mistakes are passed down through generations of Lanterns.

Despite the series adopting a more realistic tone, Mundy confirmed that the iconic Green Lantern powers will be fully integrated. He addressed fan concerns regarding the visuals, stating, “It’s a Green Lantern show, so there’s green.” He added that while the series will not overly rely on CGI, it will still showcase the expected ring-based powers and cosmic elements when necessary.

According to materials shared by DC Studios and HBO through Entertainment Weekly, ‘Lanterns’ is designed as a mystery-driven superhero narrative, focusing on character relationships and investigation rather than continuous large-scale battles.

‘Lanterns’ is set to premiere on August 16 on HBO and HBO Max.

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