HBO's upcoming series Lanterns introduces Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart as they investigate a murder in a small Nebraska town, offering a grounded, crime drama approach to the characters, according to Variety and Ars Technica. The show stars Kyle Chandler as Jordan and Aaron Pierre as Stewart, marking a notable expansion in James Gunn's DC Universe slate.
The trailers reveal a tense dynamic between the two Lanterns, highlighting their conflicting approaches as they work the case, as reported by Deadline. Costume designs and character interactions have drawn considerable attention, underscoring the show's focus on gritty realism rather than the cosmic settings typical of previous Green Lantern portrayals described by Screen Rant.
This new take diverges significantly from past space-bound narratives, with creators likening Lanterns to a mystery series in the vein of True Detective, according to Screen Rant. The series aims to deliver a darker, more grounded story that strips away the traditional superhero spectacle in favor of a crime thriller format.
Multiple sources, including Screen Rant, also point to implications of Lanterns tying into the larger DC Universe, with the trailer hinting at a connection to the upcoming 2025 Superman movie. This potential linkage suggests a broader narrative integration within James Gunn and Peter Safran’s evolving DC film and TV framework.
Lanterns is set for release on HBO, with a premiere window announced for 2024. Audiences and DC fans will be watching closely to see how the series balances its noir-inspired tone with the demands of superhero storytelling while deepening the shared DC Universe.

Khamil Pierre
Collin Chandler
Lanterns
DCU
DC Universe
DC Studios
HBO
Michael Jordan




