HBO Max has released a new trailer previewing their 2026 slate, and among the quick glimpses of upcoming projects is our first official look at DC Studios’ Lanterns. Though brief, the footage is already generating substantial conversation among fans. Not only does it introduce the dynamic between Hal Jordan and John Stewart, but it also provides our first real look at the Green Lantern ring for this upcoming series.
The footage arrives at the 1:35 mark of the preview, running for roughly 11 seconds, with an additional short shot of John Stewart appearing at 1:49. While there is no costumed superhero action on display, the teaser makes its intentions clear: this series will begin as a story about mentorship, discipline, and the weight of responsibility that comes with wielding one of the most powerful weapons in the universe.
We see Hal Jordan, portrayed by Kyle Chandler, in what appears to be a tense training moment with Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart. Hal pointedly reminds John that he is “not ready until the ring says so,” underscoring the Corps’ strict reliance on willpower, judgment, and the ring’s sentient criteria for worthiness. Seconds later, Hal dramatically exits their vehicle, leaving John behind—only for the car to speed off a cliff. It is a moment that not only highlights Hal’s tough-love approach to mentorship but also hints at the demanding, borderline ruthless training regimen new Lanterns undergo. The scene ends before we see exactly how John escapes, but the message is unmistakable: the Corps does not coddle its recruits.
Beyond the immediate training sequence, the teaser raises significant implications for the broader direction of the DCU’s Lantern mythology. With Hal Jordan clearly older and more seasoned, speculation has intensified that the series will chronicle some version of Hal’s transition out of active duty, potentially positioning John Stewart as the new primary defender of Sector 2814. This mirrors long-standing fan debates. Some audiences have waited years to see John Stewart finally take center stage in live action, while others are apprehensive about Hal’s story concluding just as it begins.
Notably, the comics have previously depicted an aging Hal Jordan taking a darker turn as Parallax, a storyline many fans now wonder could serve as inspiration for the series’ long-term trajectory. Whether Lanterns will explore that arc remains unknown, but the somber tone of the footage suggests that this adaptation will not shy away from the Corps’ more complex mythology.
Narratively, Lanterns centers on new recruit John Stewart and veteran Lantern Hal Jordan as the two “intergalactic cops” investigate a shadowy, earth-based murder mystery set in the American heartland. The grounded procedural framework—paired with cosmic stakes—aligns well with the creative team involved. Showrunner and executive producer Chris Mundy (True Detective: Night Country) is developing the series alongside writers Damon Lindelof (Watchmen) and acclaimed comic scribe Tom King (Supergirl). With this trio shaping the narrative, fans can expect a blend of noir, psychological tension, and faithful comic-book world-building.
The cast extends beyond Stewart and Jordan: Ulrich Thomsen steps into the role of Sinestro, while Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Nicole Ari Parker, Jason Ritter, J. Alphonse Nicholson, and Jasmine Cephas Jones round out the ensemble.
Lanterns is slated to premiere on HBO in 2026, and if this early footage is any indication, the series aims to deliver a grounded, character-driven entry point into the new DCU—one that finally brings the Green Lantern ring back into the spotlight where many fans have long wanted it to be.
