In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape their sight. James Gunn and Peter Safran‘s rebooted DC Comics cinematic universe hits the road with Lanterns, a new HBO series starring not just one, but two Green Lanterns. And thanks to Deadpool, neither of them is Ryan Reynolds.
The first trailer for the highly anticipated show introduces us to Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, two comic book mainstays who are only now getting their own dedicated small screen showcase. Debuting in August, the drama features these hard traveling heroes driving through some rugged American back country where their evil-fighting services are very much in demand.
“You wanted me to train you — I’m trainin’ you,” Hal tells John in the nearly two-and-a-half minute teaser, making it clear that their partiuclar dynamic is more teacher/pupil than close pals. But sometimes the pupils are more adept than the teachers. “We both know I do a better job of this than you,” John informs Hal. “This” being wielding a power ring gifted by the Guardians of the Universe.
Watch the Lanterns trailer and read on for everything else to know about the series.
What is Lanterns about?
Take the acclaimed AMC procedural Dark Winds and add some superhero costumes and you’ve got the basic idea for Lanterns, which sends Hal and John into America’s heartland on the trail of a murderer. It’s a terrestrial mystery for Earth’s two Green Lanterns, who belong to an organization of intergalactic police force, the Green Lantern Corps.
That’s “space cop” idea is a longtime part of the Green Lantern mythos. Originally introduced in the pages of DC Comics by Martin Nodell and Bill Finger in 1940, the character really came into his own with Jordan’s Silver Age debut in 1959. Stewart followed in 1971, later joined by other Lanterns like Guy Gardner (recently seen in Gunn’s Superman movie, where he was played by Nathan Fillion), Kyle Rayner, and Jessica Cruz.
What binds all the different Lanterns together is their shared mission to protect and serve their designated planet, as well as the rechargeable power rings that give them their powers. And based onthe trailer, Hal and John are going to need every iota of power to deal with what’s coming.
Who else is involved?
Besides Chandler and Pierre, the Lanterns cast includes Trainspotting‘s Kelly Macdonald. Behind the camera, the trio of Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof and Tom King serve as cocreators and cowriters of the pilot. James Hawes helms the first two episodes, with Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel and Alik Sakharov directing subsequent installments. The roll call of executive producers includes Mundy, Lindelof, Gunn, Safran, King, Hawes and Ron Schmidt.
What are its awards prospects?
When it comes to the Primetime Emmys, DC has led its Marvel-ous rivals in recent years. Lindelof’s Watchmen series was an awards monster, with 26 nominations and 11 wins. And The Penguin was a big Bat-hit at last year’s ceremony, scoring 24 nominations and nine wins, including Cristin Milioti for Best Limited/Movie Actress. Even Peacemaker has also found some Emmy affection with 2022 nod for stunt coordination. Since Chandler is an Emmy winner for Friday Night Lights and Pierre headlined the Emmy-winning TV movie Rebel Ridge, Lanterns already carries plenty of awards pedigree. With Marvel TV’s Wonder Man only causing a minor ripple back in January, Lanterns could easily become 2026’s prestige superhero show of choice.
When can I see it?
Lanterns premieres in August on HBO and HBO Max.
