First DCU Lanterns Footage Released: Hal Pushes John to the Edge—Literally

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The first look at DC Studios’ Lanterns series is here, and it shows a dramatic scene between Hal Jordan and John Stewart. This glimpse suggests the show will offer a realistic and character-focused take on the classic Green Lantern stories within the new DC Universe.

Hal Jordan Tests John Stewart

Throughout the scene, John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre, urgently insists, “I’ve spent my whole life preparing for this!”

Kyle Chandler, playing Hal Jordan, remains firm. He tells someone they won’t present until the Power Ring indicates they’re prepared. He then leaves the car—after setting the ring on the dashboard—just as it speeds off a cliff.

The conversation is direct and to the point, establishing Hal as a tough but guiding mentor and John as someone who still needs to prove himself – both to Hal and to the Green Lantern Corps.

Builds on the Earlier Lanterns Teaser

This new video comes after a short preview shown at an HBO Max event in São Paulo, suggesting the series will be realistic and similar in tone to True Detective.

Instead of prioritizing grand sci-fi visuals, Lanterns centers on its characters, building suspense, and exploring the fallout of their actions. The science fiction aspects are integrated into a story that feels like a crime thriller.

What Lanterns Is About

Lanterns is planned as an eight-episode series for HBO and Max.

Okay, let me tell you about the team behind this new project. We’ve got Chris Mundy, who’s done fantastic work on shows like True Detective: Night Country and Ozark, leading the charge as showrunner and writer. He’s teamed up with Damon Lindelof – the guy who brought us Watchmen and The Leftovers – and DC Comics writer Tom King, known for Mister Miracle and Supergirl. They’ve all described it as a really solid, down-to-earth crime thriller… with a twist. Apparently, the leads just happen to be Green Lanterns, but they’re not focusing on the superhero stuff, which I think is a smart move.

Cast and Characters

Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler lead the cast as John Stewart and Hal Jordan, respectively, appearing in all eight episodes of the series.

The show features a talented cast including Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry, Garret Dillahunt as William Macon, Jason Ritter as Billy Macon, Nicole Ari Parker as Bernadette, and Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro.

Release info

Lanterns has been delayed and now will be released later in the Summer of 2026.

Watch the footage:

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2025-12-12 20:02