DCU Hal Jordan Already Dead? ‘Lanterns’ Takes Place In The Past

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Fans are still discussing the recent Lanterns teaser, and some believe a careful review of the video suggests a significant change to the established DC Universe timeline.

The trailer received criticism for a few things, notably a line where Hal Jordan says he’s the only human Green Lantern. This confused viewers, as Guy Gardner, played by Nathan Fillion, is already established in the DC Universe. Fans are wondering if this was an oversight by James Gunn and the team, or if they didn’t consider the existing storyline.

However, there may be a simple explanation.

What if those scenes take place in the past?

Based on the preview and comments from the show’s creator, Chris Mundy, the series Lanterns appears to be unfolding its story across different time periods. It seems likely that Hal Jordan may already be deceased within the current DC Universe timeline.

Lanterns May Be Showing Hal Jordan In The Past

In the trailer, Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) appears to say he is the only human Green Lantern.

The statement sparked confusion because Guy Gardner, portrayed by Nathan Fillion, is already established as a human character within the DC Universe. Adding to this, Fillion has also been confirmed to appear in the upcoming series, Lanterns.

But if Hal’s scenes take place earlier in the timeline, the line suddenly makes sense.

Guy Gardner may simply not have been chosen yet.

Showrunner Confirms Multiple Time Periods

Chris Mundy, the creator of the show Lanterns, has said the story will jump around to different times.

The story jumps between different time periods, so a key challenge was making sure the characters remained true to themselves throughout, even as they changed,” Mundy told Men’s Health. “John, for example, acts quite differently depending on the time period.

Mundy also complimented Aaron Pierre’s portrayal of John Stewart, highlighting how he skillfully showed the character’s complexities and inner conflict.

John’s theater background and attention to detail really enriched his performance. It brought depth to both the physical and emotional aspects of the role, making his character more well-rounded.

The comments strongly suggest Lanterns will jump between different points in the DCU timeline.

The Trailer May Reveal Multiple Decades

The vehicles featured in the teaser suggest that the show Lanterns will take place across different time periods, offering another hint about the possibility of multiple timelines.

The car Hal and John are driving when it crashes appears to resemble a model from the 1980s.

The other vehicles featured in the trailer appear to be from the 1990s to the early 2010s.

If accurate, that would mean the series covers several decades of events.

We also see in that town meeting that no one has phones.

John’s watch via above also seems to be from 2009ish.

Is Hal Jordan Already Dead In The DCU?

I’ve been thinking about the new Lanterns series, and the way it’s jumping between different time periods is really intriguing. It’s got me wondering if maybe Hal Jordan actually died sometime before the current DC Universe timeline started, and what we’re seeing now is… something else entirely!

The series might reveal Hal Jordan’s past through flashbacks, while the main story focuses on John Stewart as the current Green Lantern.

This approach would let the show delve into Hal Jordan’s history and impact, while keeping John Stewart as the main Green Lantern for future stories.

The story also clarifies why only one ring is used – aside from cost, Hal needs to step down and give his ring to John. Alternatively, John might receive a brand new ring after completing his training.

Consider this all speculation right now.

Considering the conversations Hal has, the vintage cars featured in the preview, and Chris Mundy’s statement about the show taking place across different timeframes, Lanterns could be more complex and expansive than it first appears.

Lanterns is scheduled to premiere on HBO in August 2026.

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2026-03-05 09:32