Lanterns' Second Trailer Depicts a Troubling Mentor-Apprentice Relationship
Warner Bros. Discovery releases the second teaser trailer for HBO Max's Lanterns, depicting a not-so-amicable partnership between Hal Jordan and John Stewart.
Warner Bros. Discovery released a second teaser trailer for the upcoming HBO Max series Lanterns, starring Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. The DC Studios series is due to release on Aug. 16, 2026.
The new trailer still doesn’t reveal much about the plot, but it does provide more insight into the mentor-apprentice relationship between the two Green Lanterns. Far from embodying the heroic optimism of the Silver Age, however, the upcoming DC Studios series presents an older, foul-mouthed and jaded Hal Jordan who appears to have since abandoned any notion of heroism.
Much of the trailer is spent showing all the different ways Hal has lost his way, from abusing the power ring to create counterfeit money to belittling his apprentice, John Stewart. The latter is also shown to be increasingly concerned about Hal’s troubling behaviour to the point of questioning his mentor’s morality. John is also presented as determined to prove his worth as a hero and inherit Hal’s Green Lantern ring.
The rest of the trailer shows bits and pieces of the True Detective-style case Hal and John are investigating, complete with a desert setting to convey its neo-Western tone. Though Hal is shown leading most scenes, he is also shown to be rough around the edges, seemingly foreshadowing his fall from grace. The trailer also presents a recurring message of fearlessness and gives glimpses of Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner, Kelly McDonald’s Sheriff Kerry, and Laura Linney in an undisclosed role.
Other confirmed cast members for Lanterns include Ulrich Thomsen as the villain Sinestro, Nicole Ari Parker as Hal Jordan’s mother Bernadette, Sherman Augustus as John Stewart’s father, and Paul Ben-Victor as the alien Antaan. Jason Ritter will also appear as Billy Macon, Garret Dillahunt as the other William Macon, and Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe. Chris Coy and Cary Christopher will also appear in the series in a guest capacity, with Paula Patton also appearing in an undisclosed role.
Lanterns will debut on HBO Max on Aug. 16, 2026.
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I am fascinated to see how this show plays out.