In brightest day, in blackest night, Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios’ Green Lantern show, “Lanterns,” has officially received the green light to move forward at HBO. The announcement marks a significant milestone for the highly anticipated series, which will consist of eight episodes centered around DC’s will-powered heroes. The show boasts an impressive lineup of talent, including Chris Mundy, known for his work on “True Detective: Night Country” and “Ozark,” who will serve as showrunner and executive producer. Additionally, Damon Lindelof, the creative force behind “Watchmen,” “The Leftovers,” and “Lost,” along with comic book legend Tom King, will serve as executive producers and co-writers alongside Mundy.
HBO has provided an official logline for “Lanterns”: “The series follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.” This intriguing premise promises to introduce fan-favorite DC heroes into James Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe (DCU) when it eventually premieres. While further details about the story remain under wraps, the excitement surrounding the project is palpable.
“We’re thrilled to bring this seminal DC title to HBO with Chris, Damon, and Tom at the helm,” co-CEOs Gunn and Safran said in a joint statement. “John Stewart and Hal Jordan are two of DC’s most compelling characters, and ‘Lanterns’ brings them to life in an original detective story that is a foundational part of the unified DCU we’re launching next summer with ‘Superman.'”
Gunn first teased “Lanterns” when outlining the roadmap for the DCU’s first chapter, “Gods and Monsters.” At the time, he described the Green Lantern show as a “True Detective-type mystery” that involves an ancient horror on Earth. This comparison has only heightened anticipation for the series, which promises to blend the cosmic scope of the Green Lantern Corps with a grounded, noir-inspired narrative.
The Green Lantern Corps are the protectors of the DC Universe, wielding rings powered by their immense willpower to create almost anything they can imagine. “Lanterns” will focus on two of the most well-known Green Lanterns in DC lore: Hal Jordan and John Stewart. In this series, Stewart is a rookie Lantern paired with the veteran Jordan as they investigate a murder in the American heartland. This dynamic promises to offer a fresh take on the characters while staying true to their comic book roots.
Ryan Reynolds previously portrayed Hal Jordan in the 2011 “Green Lantern” film, but the characters have been largely absent from the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) since then. Zack Snyder attempted to introduce John Stewart in his cut of “Justice League” for Max, but the studio ultimately overruled the decision. The new “Lanterns” series represents a fresh start for the characters within the DCU.
The journey to bring a Green Lantern series to the screen has been a long one. A previous version of the series was in development at Max, focusing on Guy Gardner and Alan Scott, with Finn Wittrock and Jeremy Irvine cast in the respective roles. However, that incarnation of the series was scrapped before Gunn and Safran took over DC Studios. Despite this, Gunn has cast Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner in his upcoming “Superman” movie, set to be released on July 11, 2025.
The strategic shift to move “Lanterns” from Max to HBO is part of a broader strategy by Warner Bros. to position HBO as the home for its big-budget IP projects. This move aligns with the company’s decision to bring other high-profile series, such as the “Harry Potter” series and the “It” prequel “Welcome to Derry,” to HBO. This strategy allows HBO to focus on delivering premium, event-driven content while Max continues to greenlight more cost-effective, broadcast-like shows.
Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO of HBO and Max Content, expressed his enthusiasm for the project, stating, “We are elated to be reuniting with both Chris Mundy and Damon Lindelof as they partner with Tom for this fresh take on DC’s Green Lantern. As part of James and Peter’s vision for the DC Universe, this first new live-action series will mark an exciting new era.”
The eight-part series comes from Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, with Mundy serving as showrunner and Lindelof and King co-writing the series. All three will also serve as executive producers. While there is no casting news for the series yet, the creative team’s pedigree and the compelling premise have already generated significant buzz.
As the DCU prepares to take flight with the release of “Superman” on July 11, 2025, “Lanterns” is poised to be a cornerstone of this new era. The series promises to deliver a unique blend of cosmic adventure and grounded detective storytelling, bringing beloved characters Hal Jordan and John Stewart to life in a way that fans have long awaited.
With the official green light from HBO, “Lanterns” is set to illuminate the DCU with its unique brand of intergalactic heroism and mystery. As fans eagerly await further details and casting announcements, the excitement for this groundbreaking series continues to grow.
Source: IGN, TheWrap, Variety, GameSpot
