James Gunn’s plate is packed, but his next major move after Superman and Peacemaker Season 2 is already locked and loaded. The much-anticipated HBO series Lanterns, centered on DC’s iconic Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart, has officially wrapped production (via DC Film News). Yep, it’s real, and it’s coming in early 2026.
Developed under Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Studios regime, Lanterns is being touted as a gritty, True Detective-style crime drama set within the DC Universe. The murder mystery format isn’t just for flair – in fact, it’s central to the DCU’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters slate and may even set up future events across the universe.
Helmed by Ozark showrunner Chris Mundy and backed by storytelling giants Tom King and Damon Lindelof, Lanterns is shaping up to be more than just a superhero show.
Filming wrapped this July in L.A. with Kyle Chandler as Hal and Aaron Pierre as John, and the talent behind the camera (James Hawes, Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Alik Sakharov) makes it clear: this one’s built for prestige TV, not just capes and CGI.
Lanterns Wraps Filming: HBO Max’s Darkest DC Series Yet Gets 2026 Drop Date
For fans of detective noir and superhero drama, Lanterns is about to hit the sweet spot. Gunn and Safran scrapped the original Greg Berlanti space opera pitch to build something leaner and earthbound – a Green Lantern mystery rooted in character, not just spectacle.
The casting of Kyle Chandler as the seasoned Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as fresh recruit John Stewart sets up a classic buddy-cop dynamic. But the stakes are high: what begins as a murder investigation in Nebraska spirals into something far bigger, hinting at the deep corruption and cosmic secrets that could define the entire DCU.
Having Chris Mundy as showrunner is a smart play. His work on Ozark and True Detective: Night Country proved he knows how to pace dark, intense stories that simmer before they explode. And with Damon Lindelof and Tom King shaping the narrative, this show’s got serious pedigree in both television and comics.
The visual tone will also follow that prestige path, with Hawes and company bringing their atmospheric, character-driven style from shows like Slow Horses and Watchmen. The eight-episode run will tell a complete story, but if all goes well, DC’s Lantern Corps might finally get the on-screen legacy they deserve.
And Gunn’s vision is all coming together – Lanterns isn’t just a side project. It’s a centerpiece.
Nathan Fillion Drops F-Bombs and Hints: Why Lanterns Will Be Unlike Any DC Show Before
Nathan Fillion isn’t holding back when it comes to Lanterns, and neither is the show. Per sources, he revealed:
“I’ve dropped more F-bombs on this than any project I’ve worked on.”
That alone tells you this isn’t your standard DC fare. The upcoming HBO series is ditching the glossy superhero formula for something far grittier – think murder mystery meets galactic duty, all grounded in raw character work.
Fillion takes on Guy Gardner, the arrogant, hot-headed Green Lantern. But this time, there’s more depth than just bravado. His dynamic with Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart is a central thread. According to Fillion, a key scene between the two shakes Guy to his core, signaling Stewart’s strength in subtlety, not flash.
Guy Gardner’s journey doesn’t stop here. Fillion is set to appear in Peacemaker Season 2 and Superman, making it clear that DC’s future is loud, bold, and unapologetically R-rated. Are you folks excited about James Gunn’s project?
Lanterns is scheduled to be released in 2026.
