Lanterns release date, cast, trailer and latest news on DC series

It's a big summer for DC Comics fans with two major projects coming to its rebooted cinematic universe.

Hot on the heels of the Milly Alcock-led Supergirl film (which flies into cinemas in June), we'll be getting a bold – and rather controversial – take on the Green Lantern mythos.

Created by Chris Mundy (Ozark), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen) and comic book writer Tom King, HBO Max's Lanterns stars Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre as two famous members of the cosmic police force.

Veteran Hal Jordan (Chandler) and rookie John Stewart (Pierre) are paired up to investigate a grisly murder that shocks a small Nebraskan town, but is there more to the case than meets the eye?

Fans are certainly hoping so, as Lanterns has caught a lot of flack online for its seeming lack of sci-fi elements, which presents a stark departure from the generally vibrant and outlandish source material.

Whatever the reception to the show, we do know that Pierre's John Stewart will be sticking around for at least one more appearance, as he's joined the cast of James Gunn's Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow.

If you're intrigued to know more about the next big addition to DC's film and TV universe, read on for all the essential details on HBO Max's Lanterns – including the confirmed release date.

Lanterns release date

Lanterns will premiere on HBO Max on Sunday 16 August (US) / Monday 17 August (UK).

The series drops simultaneously on both sides of the Atlantic, but the UK launch falls into the early hours of the following morning due to the time difference between the two regions.

Nevertheless, it should be easier to dodge spoilers than if there were weeks or months separating the international rollout from the US debut, as has been the case numerous times in the past.

The release date was finally confirmed alongside a new image which actually shows something Green Lantern-related! That being, the charging of the power ring in the cosmic lantern (see below).

The image has enjoyed a warmer reception than most other advance looks at the series, which have been criticised for bearing little resemblance to the source material.

Lanterns cast: Who stars in the DC Comics adaptation?

Aaron Pierre (Rebel Ridge) and Kyle Chandler (Godzilla) star in Lanterns, playing DC Comics characters John Stewart and Hal Jordan, both of whom are members of the titular intergalactic police force.

Green Lanterns wield rings that, among other abilities, allow them to create powerful constructs of whatever they can imagine, with the ring's strength derived from the wearer's willpower.

Chandler's Hal will be eyeing retirement after years of service in the Corps, with Pierre's John being a recent recruit chosen to take over the former's unruly sector.

The Green Lantern mythos hasn't had the most glorious luck transitioning to live-action, with 2011's critically panned Ryan Reynolds film being a low point, but things appear to be looking up in James Gunn's rebooted DC Universe.

The writer-director introduced Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion) – one of the less likeable members of the Corps – in last summer's Superman, with the character confirmed to return in Lanterns.

The Lanterns cast also includes Line of Duty's Kelly Macdonald as small town sheriff Kerry, Garret Dillahunt (Fear the Walking Dead) as modern cowboy William, and Ulrich Thomsen (Banshee) as comic book villain Sinestro.

Nicole Ari Parker and Sherman Augustus has been cast as John Stewart's parents, Bernadette and John Snr, with Poorna Jagannathan, Jason Ritter and Paul Ben-Victor rounding out the main cast.

Intriguingly, Ozark star Laura Linney and Mission: Impossible alum Paula Patton have also bagged roles on the show, but their characters remain undisclosed for now.

Here's an overview of all the confirmed names for HBO's Lanterns:

• Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan
• Aaron Pierre as John Stewart
• Kelly Macdonald as Kerry
• Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner
• Garret Dillahunt as William Macon
• Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe
• Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro
• Nicole Ari Parker as Bernadette Stewart
• Jason Ritter as Billy Macon
• Sherman Augustus as John Stewart Sr
• Paul Ben-Victor as Antaan
• Chris Coy as "Waylon Sanders"
• Cary Christopher as Noah
• Laura Linney as TBC
• Paula Patton as TBC

Lanterns plot: What is it about?

Lanterns combines sci-fi elements from DC's cosmic Green Lantern comic books with a gritty Earth-based murder mystery.

The show introduces Hal Jordan and John Stewart – two of the most prominent characters to have held the Green Lantern mantle – depicting them as mentor and rookie on this eerie case.

The mismatched pair will have to find a way to get along and extract secrets from the residents of a small Nebraskan town, which appears to be somewhat suspicious of outsiders.

The Lanterns trailer was met with a flurry of criticism aimed at its drab colour palette and subdued characters, which evoke fellow HBO drama True Detective more so than a typical Green Lantern story.

A recent image, released exclusively to ScreenRant, doubled down on that polarising vibe, showing a dishevelled Hal and incredulous John wearing ordinary clothes in a rather plain-looking bar. See here:

With Hal's arch-nemesis Sinestro confirmed to appear, it's possible that the series will become more fantastical at a later point in its run – or at least allude to greater threats in the wider DC Universe.

The show's tagline, which is featured on the digital poster unveiled by James Gunn, declares that "only one can wear the ring," implying that Hal and John may end up in a fight to claim its power.

However, this too has provoked ire among fans, who point out that the Green Lantern Corps of the comics has hundreds of ring-wearers, including several humans, in active service at any given time.

Lanterns trailer

Lanterns dropped its first teaser trailer in March 2026, which received a decidedly mixed reception from fans. You can come to your own verdict below:

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