First Look of Aaron Pierre & Kyle Chandler as John Stewart & Hal Jordan in ‘Lanterns’ Out

HBO Max has released the highly anticipated first look at Lanterns, the upcoming DC Studios series that brings iconic Green Lantern heroes Hal Jordan and John Stewart back to live-action. The teaser footage, unveiled as part of HBO’s comprehensive 2026 programming preview on December 12, 2025, showcases Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in their respective roles as the two intergalactic cops investigating an Earth-bound mystery.

First Footage Reveals Mentor-Student Dynamic

The initial footage from Lanterns provides viewers with a dramatic glimpse into the intense relationship between veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan and rookie John Stewart. In the brief but impactful teaser, Pierre’s John Stewart declares, “I’ve trained my whole life for this,” only to be immediately challenged by Chandler’s Hal Jordan, who responds, “You’re not ready to get up in front of the class until the ring says you are.”

The teaser then delivers a shocking moment that establishes the show’s high-stakes approach to mentorship. Hal Jordan places his Green Lantern power ring on the dashboard of their moving vehicle before jumping out, leaving John Stewart trapped as the car plummets off a cliff. This forces Stewart to act quickly and use the ring to save himself, demonstrating the brutal “tough love” teaching methods that will define their partnership throughout the series.

Additional scenes in the preview show the duo investigating together, attending what appears to be a town hall meeting, and Stewart running against traffic on a highway, all emphasizing the show’s grounded, detective-style atmosphere that distinguishes it from traditional cosmic Green Lantern stories.

Main Cast

Aaron Pierre Brings Intensity to John Stewart

Aaron Pierre, the breakout star of Netflix’s Rebel Ridge, steps into the role of John Stewart, the recruit who must prove himself worthy of the Green Lantern Corps. The 30-year-old British actor brings both physical presence and emotional depth to the character, standing 6’3″ with an imposing yet thoughtful demeanor that showrunner Chris Mundy believes is perfect for Stewart.

Mundy explained the casting decision, stating that the show explores themes of replacement and when someone should pass the torch. He emphasized that Pierre possesses a natural balance that serves the character well, noting that Stewart’s power comes from not taking the bait and understanding that restraint maintains authority better than aggression.

Pierre’s career trajectory has been remarkable. A graduate of the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, he gained recognition through his role as Caesar in Barry Jenkins’ The Underground Railroad in 2021. He also appeared in M. Night Shyamalan’s existential horror film Old as a rapper named Mid-Size Sedan, and most recently delivered a career-defining performance as Terry Richmond in Jeremy Saulnier’s action thriller Rebel Ridge, which became one of Netflix’s most-watched films of 2024.

The actor has also voiced Mufasa in Barry Jenkins’ Mufasa: The Lion King, portraying Malcolm X in the Genius series, and starred in the science fiction thriller Foe alongside Saoirse Ronan and Paul Mescal. His commitment to physical preparation is legendary among his collaborators, with Pierre training extensively in boxing, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, weightlifting, wrestling, and firearms training for his roles.

Aaron Pierre Career Highlights

Kyle Chandler Returns as Veteran Hal Jordan

Kyle Chandler, the Emmy Award-winning actor best known as Coach Eric Taylor from Friday Night Lights, takes on the role of Hal Jordan, the legendary but aging Green Lantern who becomes Stewart’s reluctant mentor. At 59 years old, Chandler brings decades of experience playing authority figures with moral complexity, making him the ideal choice to portray a hero grappling with questions about when to step aside.

Chandler’s celebrated career includes his Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Friday Night Lights in 2011, as well as memorable roles in critically acclaimed films like Argo, Zero Dark Thirty, The Wolf of Wall Street, Manchester by the Sea, and Carol. His performance as Gary Hobson in the fantasy-drama series Early Edition from 1996 to 2000 established him as a leading man capable of balancing drama with fantastical elements.

The actor’s recent work includes the Netflix thriller series Bloodline, which earned him two additional Emmy nominations, and major blockbusters like Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Godzilla vs. Kong, where he played Dr. Mark Russell. His ability to command the screen while maintaining emotional vulnerability makes him perfectly suited to portray a Green Lantern legend confronting the reality that his time as Earth’s protector may be coming to an end.

Kyle Chandler Career Highlights

True Detective Meets Green Lantern

Lanterns represents a bold creative departure for superhero television, adopting a grounded, Earth-based mystery approach inspired by HBO’s True Detective. Created by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, the series follows Hal Jordan and John Stewart as they investigate a murder in the American heartland that connects to a much larger and more sinister conspiracy within the DC Universe.

DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran have repeatedly emphasized that Lanterns will feel more like prestige television drama than traditional superhero fare. The show focuses on the characters as intergalactic cops working a terrestrial case, with their Green Lantern powers serving the story rather than defining it. This approach allows the series to explore complex themes of mentorship, succession, and what it means to wield extraordinary power responsibly.

Showrunner Chris Mundy, known for his work on Ozark, described the creative challenge as taking everything beloved about the Green Lantern mythology and transforming it into a layered, human HBO drama. The series aims to balance tension and mystery with honest, authentic emotion while never sacrificing the magic of the source material.

The detective-style narrative structure emphasizes investigation, character development, and moral complexity over cosmic battles and space opera elements. By grounding the story in the American heartland and focusing on an Earth-based mystery, Lanterns creates space for deeper exploration of its characters’ psychology and relationship dynamics.

Supporting Cast and Production Details

Beyond Pierre and Chandler, Lanterns boasts an impressive ensemble cast. Kelly Macdonald, best known for Boardwalk Empire, plays Sheriff Kerry, a no-nonsense woman deeply devoted to her family and close-knit town. Garret Dillahunt portrays William Macon, a self-righteous, conspiracy-minded man who masks ruthless ambition behind charm and calculation.

Poorna Jagannathan, who previously called the Lanterns script “the best sci-fi” she’s ever read despite not typically caring about the genre, plays Zoe, described as effortlessly confident and poised. Ulrich Thomsen takes on the role of Sinestro, the dishonorably discharged former Green Lantern who was demoted for abusing his power. Nathan Fillion reprises his role as Guy Gardner from the Superman film, bringing his characteristically higher-strung energy to the series.

Additional cast members include Nicole Ari Parker and Sherman Augustus as John Stewart’s parents, with Jasmine Cephas Jones and J. Alphonse Nicholson playing them in flashback sequences. Jason Ritter appears as Billy, William Macon’s son, while Paul Ben-Victor plays Antaan, a vengeful alien. Laura Linney and Paula Patton have also been cast in undisclosed roles.

Production on Lanterns took place primarily in Los Angeles and on the Warner Bros. lot from February to July 2025. James Hawes directed the first two episodes and serves as executive producer alongside Mundy, Lindelof, King, James Gunn, Peter Safran, and Ron Schmidt. Additional directors for the eight-episode season include Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Alik Sakharov.

Production Timeline

From Berlanti to Gunn: Development History

The path to Lanterns began long before James Gunn and Peter Safran took control of DC Studios. In October 2019, producer Greg Berlanti, who had created multiple successful DC television series, announced he was developing a Green Lantern show for HBO Max. The original concept would span several decades, telling two stories about Green Lanterns on Earth plus a space-based story about Sinestro.

HBO Max officially picked up the series for a 10-episode season in October 2020, with Marc Guggenheim and Seth Grahame-Smith attached to write. However, the series faced a significant constraint: it could not use main Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart because they were reserved for DC Extended Universe films at the time.

When Gunn and Safran became DC Studios co-CEOs in October 2022, they immediately began redeveloping the project with a fresh creative vision. The new approach focused specifically on Hal Jordan and John Stewart, drawing inspiration from True Detective’s anthology structure and Slow Horses’ character-driven tension. This realignment allowed the series to become a cornerstone of DC Universe Chapter One: Gods and Monsters, with significant implications for the larger interconnected storyline.

Summer 2026 Premiere Confirmed

Lanterns will premiere on HBO and stream on HBO Max in late summer 2026, HBO CEO Casey Bloys confirmed during a network presentation in November 2025. The series was originally expected to debut in early 2026 before the June 26, 2026 theatrical release of Supergirl, but DC Studios opted to push the premiere date to allow for optimal promotional timing and positioning.

The decision to premiere after Supergirl represents a strategic choice by Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios to maintain momentum for the DC Universe throughout 2026. With Superman having launched the new continuity in summer 2025, followed by Peacemaker Season 2 in August 2025, the staggered release schedule ensures consistent audience engagement with DCU properties across multiple platforms.

While an exact premiere date within the late summer window has not been announced, industry observers anticipate a mid-to-late August debut, potentially around August 21, which would align with Peacemaker Season 2’s release pattern. The final day of summer 2026 is September 22, giving DC Studios and HBO considerable flexibility in scheduling the eight-episode season.

The delayed premiere may also provide opportunities for significant promotional events at San Diego Comic-Con in July 2026, where both Lanterns and the September 5, 2026 theatrical release Clayface could dominate DC Studios’ Hall H presence. This marks a departure from DC’s approach to Superman and Supergirl, for which the studio opted out of Comic-Con appearances entirely.

Key Information About Lanterns

Critical Reception and Fan Reactions

The first look at Lanterns has generated overwhelmingly positive reactions from both fans and industry observers. The teaser footage successfully established the series’ unique tone, balancing superhero spectacle with gritty, grounded drama in a way that distinguishes it from both previous Green Lantern adaptations and other contemporary superhero television.

Fans particularly praised the casting of Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler, with many noting that the actors embody their respective characters both physically and tonally. Pierre’s imposing presence combined with his demonstrated range in Rebel Ridge has convinced skeptics that John Stewart will receive a definitive live-action portrayal. Similarly, Chandler’s track record of playing morally complex authority figures suggests that Hal Jordan will be far more than a generic superhero mentor.

The brief glimpse of the Green Lantern power ring in the teaser sparked considerable discussion about how the series will balance cosmic mythology with its terrestrial detective story. The ring’s muted colors in the footage appear intentional, possibly representing a conscious effort to distance the show from the infamous 2011 Green Lantern film starring Ryan Reynolds, which received poor critical and commercial reception.

Some fans expressed mild concern that the first look showed the characters primarily in civilian clothing rather than in full Green Lantern Corps regalia. However, DC Studios and HBO have been transparent about the show’s grounded approach, and the creators have confirmed that the rings and the powers they bring will play essential roles throughout the series. The focus on character development and investigative storytelling in the teaser aligns perfectly with the True Detective comparison that has defined marketing for the project.

Creative Team

Connection to Larger DC Universe

Lanterns will serve as a crucial pillar of the DC Universe’s second year, with significant connections to the broader continuity established in Superman and Peacemaker Season 2. Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner appeared in Superman as part of the superhero community surrounding Clark Kent, and his presence in Lanterns confirms that the Green Lantern Corps is already an established force within this universe.

James Gunn has teased that the murder investigation at the heart of Lanterns will uncover “a terrifying mystery” that ties into larger DCU storylines. While specific details remain under wraps, this suggests that the series will introduce mythology, characters, or threats that will reverberate through subsequent films and shows in Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.

The series represents the third television entry in the DC Universe, following the animated Creature Commandos and the second season of Peacemaker. Its position as the flagship live-action series for 2026 underscores DC Studios’ commitment to building a cohesive, interconnected universe across both film and television platforms.

By establishing Hal Jordan and John Stewart as major players in the DCU, Lanterns sets the stage for potential crossovers, team-ups, and expanded Green Lantern mythology in future projects. The show’s eight-episode structure suggests that if successful, it could return for additional seasons exploring different cases while deepening the characters’ development and expanding the cosmic side of the DC Universe gradually.

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