The first footage from the upcoming DCU series, Lanterns, has now been unveiled to a lucky few, with the first reactions likening the show to a Western and revealing the presence of another fan-favorite DC character. Starring Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre as iconic Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart, respectively, the series is part of the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters and will debut on the streaming platform HBO Max.
While the first footage from Lanterns has not yet been released to the public, Omelete has revealed details of what was shown. According to the outlet, the Lanterns teaser “shows that Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) have been together for some time, training for months, but that Hal Jordan is a sort of “substitute teacher” for the new Green Lantern.” This confirms the theory that Jordan is training the younger Stewart to take over.
The description continues, saying the “vibe is that of a Western, appropriate since the story takes place mostly in rural areas of the USA, full of brownish tones, something that is repeated in the costumes.” During the clip, Hal and John disagree a lot, with the latter “arguing that he is better than Hal at saving people.” The footage then leans into the more sci-fi elements of the show, revealing “a brief scene of Hal Jordan flying,” though it refrains from revealing their superhero costumes.
‘Lanterns’ Will Introduce a Wild Green Lantern Character
DC Comics
The teaser then name-drops another major DC character that’ll be familiar to DC fans. “Finally, there is a brief mention of a squirrel Green Lantern, probably Ch’p, a character from the comics,” the description reads. For those unaware, Ch’p is a H’lvenite, an alien species that does indeed resemble a squirrel. First appearing in the comics back in 1982, and created by Paul Kupperberg and Don Newton, the character’s involvement likely demonstrates that Lanterns, and the DCU as a whole, won’t shy away from the more overtly comic-booky elements.
Lanterns will consist of eight episodes, with the series being helmed by Damon Lindelof (Lost, Watchmen), Chris Mundy (Ozark), and DC comics writer Tom King. The rest of the cast includes Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Ulrich Thomsen, Nathan Fillion, Laura Linney, and Paula Patton alongside Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre.
The Lanterns series has been in development for years, even before James Gunn and Peter Safran took over as the co-leads of DC Studios. And while we will be waiting a little longer than expected for Lanterns to make its debut following a recent delay, the hype couldn’t be much higher, with director James Hawes having previously summed things up by describing the perfect introduction to the DCU’s Green Lanterns: “The scripts have got such wit, so much character. It’s like a buddy cop movie — a sort of True Detective, Fargo, No Country for Old Men — and then somebody flies.”
Release Date
2026
Network
HBO
Directors
James Hawes
Writers
Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof
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