HBO’s Lanterns First Look: Kyle Chandler Tests Aaron Pierre in Wild Car Jump

A first look at the upcoming DC series Lanterns is here, showing stars Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre as the iconic Green Lanterns. The footage was part of a larger preview for HBO’s 2026 lineup. In the brief teaser, the two heroes are seen in a tense car scene that ends with a dramatic cliff fall. The series is scheduled to start in late summer 2026 on HBO Max.

First Look at Hal Jordan and John Stewart

The newly released clip gives fans their first live-action glimpse of the lead characters. Aaron Pierre plays John Stewart, a new recruit to the intergalactic Green Lantern Corps. Kyle Chandler stars as the experienced Hal Jordan, who is tasked with training Stewart.

The teaser focuses on their dynamic. John Stewart confidently states, “I’ve trained my whole life for this.” Hal Jordan, serving as a seasoned mentor, counters with a test. He places the powerful Green Lantern ring on the dashboard of their moving car and says, “You’re not ready to get up in front of the class until the ring says you are.” He then jumps out of the vehicle, leaving Stewart inside as it speeds toward a cliff’s edge. A later shot shows John Stewart running against traffic on a highway, suggesting the intense situations these “supercops” will face.

The Story and Creative Team

Lanterns is described as a grounded, detective-style story rather than a classic space opera. The plot follows Hal Jordan and John Stewart as “intergalactic cops” sent to Earth. They investigate a murder in the American heartland, which pulls them into a larger, darker mystery. Showrunner Chris Mundy has said the show is “as much of a buddy cop show as a superhero show.”.

The series comes from a strong creative team. It was developed by Chris Mundy (Ozark), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen), and comic book writer Tom King. Director James Hawes, who helmed the first two episodes, has discussed the show’s tone. He acknowledges comparisons to True Detective but says Lanterns will have more wit and humor.

“Talking tone, it looks and feels rooted… It is, in many ways, a buddy cop structure… there definitely is more wit and humor than there is in ‘True Detective,’” Hawes stated.

He also praised Aaron Pierre’s casting, noting the actor has “a magnificent presence. He feels so forceful, so cool, so understated.”.

Full Cast and DC Universe Connections

The series features a large supporting cast. It includes Kelly Macdonald as a local sheriff, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, and Ulrich Thomsen as the classic villain Sinestro. A notable addition is Nathan Fillion, who will reprise his role as the brash Green Lantern Guy Gardner. Fillion first played Gardner in the 2025 film Superman.

Lanterns is a key part of the new DC Universe (DCU) being built by studio heads James Gunn and Peter Safran. It falls under Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. The series is designed to connect to the wider DCU storyline. Peter Safran explained that the release was moved to late summer 2026 to allow for the right promotional build-up, indicating its importance to the franchise.

Release Information

• Platform: The series will be an HBO Original, streaming on HBO Max.
• Release Window: Late summer 2026.
• Episode Count: The first season will consist of eight episodes.

This first tease offers a fresh take on the Green Lantern lore, focusing on a character-driven mystery on Earth. With filming completed in July 2025, fans can expect more promotional material as the late summer 2026 premiere on HBO Max approaches.

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