HBO is set to debut its new superhero mystery series, Lanterns, on August 16, shifting focus from dragons to aliens as it adapts another major franchise. The show, which arrives one week after the conclusion of House of the Dragon's second season, aims to capture a similar blend of complex characters and high-stakes drama.
Lanterns is the brainchild of Watchmen showrunner Damon Lindelof, comics writer Tom King, and Ozark showrunner Chris Mundy. The series is set within the newly rebooted DC Universe overseen by DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran. It draws thematic and structural inspiration from HBO's acclaimed anthology mystery series, True Detective, focusing on complicated, flawed characters navigating a dangerous world.
The series centers on Green Lanterns Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, and John Stewart, portrayed by Aaron Pierre. Jordan, an established test pilot, is initially reluctant to train Stewart, a Marine and architect chosen by the Guardians of the Universe as a backup. Their dynamic develops into a classic buddy cop scenario as they team up to investigate a murder in the small town of Rushville, Nebraska. The mystery involves the Manhunters, a dangerous extraterrestrial race capable of shapeshifting, whose influence poses a significant threat to the town and the Green Lanterns themselves.
Lanterns aims to delve deeper into the lore of the Green Lantern Corps, explaining the history and mechanics of their powerful rings that can conjure solid green light. While the Manhunters serve as the primary antagonists in the series, the show will also feature other familiar Green Lantern villains, including Sinestro, Hal Jordan's former mentor who eventually betrayed the Corps.
As part of the new DCU, Lanterns connects to other ongoing projects. The character Guy Gardner, a Green Lantern played by Nathan Fillion, who appeared in Gunn's Superman film, will also feature in Lanterns. John Stewart is expected to appear in Gunn's upcoming movie, Man of Tomorrow. The cosmic scope of the Green Lantern stories suggests potential crossovers with larger DC Universe events and threats, impacting characters like Guy Gardner, a member of the proto-Justice League group the Justice Gang, and villains like Sinestro, a member of the Legion of Doom.
Lanterns premieres on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max starting August 16. New episodes will continue to be released weekly on Sundays through October 4.