Whereas Creature Commandos was a light-weight begin to James Gunn’s formidable DCU plans, 2025 is when issues go into excessive gear with the discharge of Superman in July, adopted shortly by Peacemaker Season 2. The DCU’s 2026 is already taking form and looking out shiny, because of Lanterns coming to HBO. The sequence is an adaptation of the Inexperienced Lantern mythology, an idea that the earlier DCEU appeared hesitant to the touch following the disastrous outcomes of 2011’s Inexperienced Lantern.
Lanterns has assembled fairly a formidable artistic group, from a gifted solid to an equally spectacular group of writers and administrators seeking to put a brand new grounded spin on the Inexperienced Lantern idea. Lanterns is perhaps over a 12 months away, however just a few fascinating particulars have already been dropped. Right here is the whole lot to learn about DC and HBO’s Lanterns.
Solid of Characters
Lanterns will put two of DC Comics’ most well-known Inexperienced Lanterns entrance and middle: Hal Jordan and John Stewart.
Hal Jordan shall be performed by Kyle Chandler, greatest recognized for enjoying Coach Eric Taylor on the hit sequence Friday Night time Lights. Chandler can be recognized for his work in movies like King Kong, Tremendous 8, Argo, and Zero Darkish Thirty, to call just a few. Hal Jordan was the Inexperienced Lantern throughout DC’s Silver Age, and first appeared in Showcase #22 in October 1959 and was created by author John Broome and artist Gil Kane. The sequence describes Chandler’s Hal Jordan as a legendary Inexperienced Lantern Corps member approaching retirement.
Aaron Pierre will play John Stewart, who, within the sequence, is a brand new rookie Inexperienced Lantern, and Jordan is coaching to interchange him. Pierre had a breakout 12 months in 2024, with lead roles within the hit Netflix movie Insurgent Ridge and voicing a younger Mufasa in Mufasa: The Lion King. Pierre can be no stranger to the DC Universe as he beforehand appeared on the Syfy sequence Krypton, taking part in the Kryptonian Dav-Em. Stewart was created by Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams in Inexperienced Lantern Vol. 2 #87 in December 1971. He’s notable as one in all DC’s first African American superheroes. Stewart is the Inexperienced Lantern that audiences are most aware of because of his position within the widespread animated sequence Justice League and Justice League Limitless.
The sequence may also characteristic two different DC Comics characters. Probably the most notable is Ulrich Thomsen (The Blacklist) as Sinestro, essentially the most iconic Inexperienced Lantern villain. His position within the sequence is very similar to his comedian ebook historical past: a former Inexperienced Lantern who fell to the facet of evil and was as soon as the pal and mentor to Hal Jordan. After his position in Superman, Nathan Fillion will reprise his position because the Inexperienced Lantern Man Gardner. Gardner is often seen because the Inexperienced Lantern who is usually neglected in favor of Hal Jordan and John Stewart, so will probably be fascinating to see his position within the sequence and the way massive of an element he could have.
Different solid members embody Kelly Macdonald (Boardwalk Empire) as Kerry, the sheriff of the city that Lanterns will happen in, and is among the most important characters of the sequence. Jason Ritter (Gravity Falls) will play Kerry’s husband, Billy Macon. He’s the son of one of many present’s villains, William Macon, performed by Garrett Dillahunt (Elevating Hope). William Macon is described as a self-righteous and conspiracy-minded trendy cowboy. Poorna Jagannathan has been solid as Zoe (The Night time Of), rumored to be Hal Jordan’s love curiosity. One mysterious addition to the solid is Chris Coy (The Strolling Lifeless), a visitor star, taking part in a personality named Waylon Sanders, a personality whose true identification is seemingly unknown throughout the sequence as a thriller.
Audiences will get to see a little bit of John Stewart’s backstory as his mother and father have been solid, with youthful variations solid implying flashback sequences and even a complete episode. Nicole Ari Parker (Boogie Nights) will play Bernadette Stewart, with Jasmine Cephas Jones (Hamilton) solid because the youthful model of John Stewart’s mom. Sherman Augustus (Stranger Issues) will play John Stewart Sr., with J. Alphonse Nicholson (They Cloned Tyrone) taking part in the youthful model.
What To Count on from ‘Lanterns’ Plot
Lanterns will comply with Inexperienced Lantern vet Hal Jordan, who’s coaching rookie John Stewart to research a homicide in Nebraska. Their investigation will make them darker mysteries and reckonings with DC Studios presidents James Gunn and Peter Safran, saying the thriller the duo investigates will result in the central plot of the DC Universe they’re constructing. Lanterns can be anticipated to comply with the occasions of Superman and Peacemaker Season 2. The sequence will not be mentioned to adapt one particular run from the comics, however will draw closely from Inexperienced Lantern mythology.
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These actors nearly wore the emerald energy ring and got here near turning into the face of the Inexperienced Lantern for audiences.
When it was first introduced in January 2023, Lanterns was described as related in tone and vibe to True Detective, contrasting with the extra intergalactic house opera that followers generally affiliate with the character. Lanterns is a substitute for the beforehand deliberate Inexperienced Lantern Corps sequence that was being developed for Max below the unique DCEU regime. The sequence would have featured characters like Alan Scott, Simon Baz, Jessica Cruz, and Finn Wittrock as Man Gardner. Lanterns, as an alternative, shall be a extra Earth-based story and an HBO character drama.
Inventive Staff
Lanterns‘ showrunner is Chris Mundy, whose previous credit as each a author and producer embody Ozark and True Detective, making him an ideal match. Legendary comedian author Tom King, whose comedian Supergirl: Girl of Tomorrow is being tailored right into a characteristic movie, serves as one of many sequence producers. Damon Lindelof can be signed on as a producer and marketing consultant. Lindeloff is definitely no stranger to high-profile tv, as he created Misplaced and The Leftovers and beforehand tailored the DC Comedian sequence Watchmen.
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‘Creature Commandos’ Is Our First Style of the DCU, and It Does a Nice Job of Setting It Up
‘Creature Commandos’ first two episodes lay the groundwork for ‘Superman’, ‘Paradise Misplaced’, ‘Sgt. Rock’ and plenty of extra DCU tasks.
James Hawes (The Beginner) is directing the primary two episodes of Lanterns and also will function an govt producer. Different administrators signed on for the eight-episode season embody Stephen Williams (Chevalier), Geeta Vasant Patel (Home of the Dragon), and Alik Sakharov (Ozark).
When Will Lanterns Debut?
Lanterns (DCU)
- Community
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HBO
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James Hawes
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Tom King, Chris Munday
- Franchise(s)
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DC Universe
Filming for Lanterns started in February 2025 and is anticipated to final till July 2025. Lanterns is at present scheduled to premiere on HBO in 2026. The precise date is unclear, however DC Studios President James Gunn mentioned it will be launched near Supergirl: Girl of Tomorrow, which can hit theaters in June 2026. Lanterns is anticipated to debut first, doubtless aiming for a spring 2026 launch date.
Lantens is a part of the DCU’s Chapter 1 — Gods and Monsters. Season 1 shall be eight episodes lengthy. The sequence will air on HBO and stream on Max. Proper now, the sequence is barely scheduled for one season and can inform a whole story, however HBO can create further sequence if it desires.