DCU’s ‘Lanterns’ Drops New Look at Hal Jordan and John Stewart on the Job

A new look at DC Studios’ upcoming series Lanterns is here, giving fans a clearer idea of how Hal Jordan and John Stewart will team up in the show.

The series is being developed for HBO by showrunner Chris Mundy, who says the project mixes big cosmic ideas with a grounded, Earth-based mystery. According to Mundy, the show is built like a crime drama but still uses the full powers of the Green Lantern mythos. He explained, “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 comes from his interview with Entertainment Weekly.

Lanterns follows veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, and new recruit John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre. The two investigate a strange case in Nebraska involving a small-town shooting that may have an alien connection. However, local sheriff Kerry, played by Kelly Macdonald, is not convinced there is anything supernatural going on.

The story is set across two timelines. One takes place in 2016 during the initial investigation, and the other is set ten years later in 2026, where a second mystery unfolds. Mundy says both timelines are connected and will slowly reveal different parts of the overall story.

The show also explores the relationship between Hal and John, with Hal acting as a reluctant mentor. Their dynamic is shaped by the history of the Green Lantern Corps and past figures like Sinestro, who trained Hal in his early days. Mundy hinted at this legacy, explaining how old teachings and mistakes are passed down through generations of Lanterns.

Even though the series has a more realistic tone, Mundy confirmed that the signature Green Lantern powers will still be fully present. He addressed fan concerns about the visuals and said, “It’s a Green Lantern show, so there’s green.” He added that the series will not be overly dependent on CGI but will still deliver the expected ring-based powers and cosmic elements when needed.

According to DC Studios and HBO materials shared through Entertainment Weekly, Lanterns is designed as a mystery-driven superhero story with a focus on character relationships and investigation rather than constant large-scale battles.

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

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