James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios, revealed on social media that a teaser for the anticipated DC Universe (DCU) series Lanterns will be released on Thursday, March 5th. Starring Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, the show is expected to premiere on HBO and HBO Max in late summer 2026. This announcement has sparked excitement as fans await more insight into Gunn’s latest project within the DC Comics television landscape.
Their legacies continue. #Lanterns teaser tomorrow,
James Gunn wrote alongside an image showcasing comic book covers featuring Hal Jordan and John Stewart.
Why Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre Are Perfect Fits for Their Roles
Tom King, a notable writer involved in the series, recently shared his enthusiastic impression of Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre’s performances during a discussion on the podcast Word Balloon. King praised Chandler’s portrayal of Hal Jordan, emphasizing a blend of confidence and grounded arrogance that perfectly captures the character’s persona.
Oh god, Kyle is so good,
King remarked.
When he showed up and just… he got it. Just like the first day, you were like, ‘Oh!’
King noted his initial uncertainty about Chandler’s fit due to his previous work contrasting with the California charm he associates with Hal Jordan, but this was soon dispelled by Chandler’s natural embodiment of the hero’s fearless and cocky spirit.
He [Chandler] fit it so perfectly, that kind of that that combination of arrogance and yet like a grounded arrogance, that’s how Jordan is.
King compared Hal Jordan to Captain Kirk, highlighting the hero’s fearless nature:
He’s got that fearlessness. He asks if God needs a starship. Like, that’s who Hal Jordan is. It’s no fear, you know? It’s ‘no fear, all sky.’
He added that Chandler projects an “everyday cocky” charm akin to Harrison Ford’s on-screen persona.
Similarly, King expressed immense admiration for Aaron Pierre’s role as John Stewart, describing Pierre as possessing immense star power and a genuine superhero presence.
Aaron Pierre is just, you know, he’s a rocket ship. He’s launching. He’s the next… You know, he’s going to be on every billboard in our lives [for the] next 20 years. He’s a huge movie star. He’s in the he’s in the new ‘Star Wars’ movie, if people don’t know. And he’s just… he is John Stewart,
King said.
When I first time I met him, I was like, ‘Oh my god, you’re a superhero.’ When you look him in the face, you’re like, ‘That is a superhero. I’m meeting a superhero in person.’
He also praised the humility of both actors, calling them “very down-to-earth” despite their fame and kindness toward fans and collaborators alike.
A Unique Blend of Tone: Lanterns’ Mystery, Wit, and Americana
Executive producer James Hawes shared insights about the show’s tone in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter. He compared Lanterns to the dark, atmospheric style of True Detective: Night Country, while also emphasizing its distinctive qualities.
Talking tone, it looks and feels rooted. You meet two guys, but there is wit and comedy to it that you would not expect in ‘True Detective.’ It is, in many ways, a buddy cop structure with travel in the story time, to and fro, that is really sophisticated. Chris Mundy has done the most amazing job with the team there, and so I think [the ‘True Detective’ comparison] is valid. People will still go, ‘What were you talking about?’ to some extent, but I would also bring in ‘No Country for Old Men,’ ‘Fargo,’ and things that have that Americana heart to them. There’s a wry humor, and so there definitely is more wit and humor than there is in ‘True Detective.’
Hawes also highlighted Aaron Pierre’s powerful presence onscreen, explaining that Pierre’s performance helps ground the series’ fantastical elements in a believable world where Green Lanterns and aliens exist without overshadowing the characters’ humanity.
I honestly think he did it totally individually in the room. With some chemistry castings and the like, it just felt like he would inhabit the role. He has such a magnificent presence. He feels so forceful, so cool, so understated. Again, I wanted this world to be rooted, and while there’s only so far you can go with rooting characters in a show about Green Lantern, they are. This is a world where we accept that the Green Lanterns exist and aliens exist. So the rest of it is played straight and in the world as we know it.
On working with DC Studios, Hawes described the experience as energizing and supportive, signaling a promising creative collaboration as the series develops.
The Cast and Creative Forces Bringing Lanterns to Life
Lanterns centers on veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as intergalactic law enforcers investigating a murder set in the American heartland. Their partnership navigates a mix of mystery, cosmic stakes, and grounded storytelling.
In addition to the leads, the series also features a diverse and talented cast including Garret Dillahunt (Fear The Walking Dead), Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire), Poorna Jagannathan (Never Have I Ever), Ulrich Thomsen (Counterpart), Nicole Ari Parker (And Just Like That), Jason Ritter (Matlock), J. Alphonse Nicholson (P-Valley), Sherman Augustus (Stranger Things), Jasmine Cephas Jones (Blindspotting), Chris Coy (Bass Reeves), Paul Ben-Victor (Nobody Wants This), and Cary Christopher (Days of Our Lives).
Notably, Nathan Fillion will return to the DCU as Green Lantern Guy Gardner. The series is helmed by directors James Hawes, Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Alik Sakharov, with executive producers including Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, James Gunn, Peter Safran, Tom King, James Hawes, and Ron Schmidt.
Looking Ahead to Lanterns’ Impact on the DC Universe
The release of the James Gunn Lanterns teaser on March 5th will provide the first official glimpse into a show poised to introduce a fresh dynamic within the ever-expanding DC Universe on television. By blending grounded character work with cosmic storytelling and a tone infused with wit and Americana, Lanterns aims to distinguish itself from other superhero series.
With accomplished actors like Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre leading the cast, coupled with experienced creators behind the scenes, the series promises to deliver a layered narrative rich in mystery and character chemistry when it premieres on HBO Max in the summer of 2026. Fans and newcomers alike can anticipate a new chapter in Green Lantern lore that highlights both the heroism and humanity of its protagonists.
You’re not ready until the ring says you are.
Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler star as John Stewart and Hal Jordan in #Lanterns, coming to HBO Max in 2026. pic.twitter.com/GNUir449ng
— HBO Max (@hbomax) December 12, 2025
