‘Lanterns’ Creators Warn Fans: “They’re Going to Hate Us” After Shocking Episode 1 Twist

HBO’s Lanterns made one thing clear from its first episode: this is not going to be a typical superhero series where everything eventually resets. The premiere shocked viewers by killing off Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan, leaving John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre, to deal with the fallout.

The decision was so unexpected that even the show’s creators know some fans will be angry. In an interview with DiscussingFilm, co-creators Damon Lindelof and Tom King explained why they felt Hal’s death was necessary for the story and why they were willing to take such a huge risk so early.

The episode follows Hal and John as they investigate a mysterious case in Rushville, Nebraska. The story moves between different timelines, eventually revealing that Hal is found dead years later at the same football field where part of their investigation took place.

For Lindelof, the reaction from viewers was an important part of the decision. He said the creative team wanted audiences to experience genuine emotions rather than simply watch another superhero adventure that has little lasting impact.

“We want audiences to feel sad, and we want them to feel mad, and we want them to feel confused,” Lindelof told DiscussingFilm.

The creators also wanted to avoid one of the biggest problems they see in modern superhero stories: characters rarely changing in ways that actually matter. Lindelof described this as a kind of reset, where characters go through an entire season only to return to roughly the same place afterward.

Hal’s death was designed to prevent that from happening to John. Instead of simply becoming another Green Lantern alongside Hal, John is now forced to continue without the mentor who was supposed to guide him. According to Lindelof, that loss needed to have real consequences for John’s development.

The show had also planted a major clue earlier in the episode. Hal tells John that the only way he will get the ring is by taking it from his “cold, dead hand.” After the ending, that line takes on a completely different meaning.

Lindelof said the team specifically wanted to explore what it would mean for John to hear those words and then actually experience them.

The decision was not made without debate, either. Lindelof revealed that he and King discussed whether killing Hal was the right move. They eventually decided that the mystery needed a victim who mattered to the audience, rather than introducing a character viewers had no connection to.

The creators understand why fans may not immediately accept the choice. Lindelof admitted, “The fans are going to hate us,” while acknowledging that viewers have waited more than a decade to see Hal Jordan return in live action.

Still, he believes the real test will come at the end of the season, not after the first episode.

“What matters most is where they’re sitting at the end of the eighth episode and whether they felt it was a necessary turn for the story to move forward,” Lindelof explained.

Tom King also stressed that Lanterns is meant to have a meaningful place in the new DC Universe. Speaking with DiscussingFilm, he said the series should not feel like filler between major DC movies.

“Yes, this matters. This is important,” King said.

For now, Hal’s death has completely changed the direction of Lanterns. Whether the risky decision ultimately works will depend on what happens next, but the creators have clearly chosen consequences over playing it safe.

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