HBO has released the first teaser trailer for Lanterns, the upcoming superhero drama series from DC Studios based on DC Comics' Green Lantern characters Hal Jordan and John Stewart. The series will consist of eight episodes.
Lanterns centers around Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a murder. As Green Lanterns, the two are intergalactic peacekeepers that wear emerald rings giving them the power to create green light constructs of any shape or size. The two must use their abilities to uncover a dark mystery and a reckoning that could destroy them all.
Other cast members include Kelly Macdonald as Kerry Macon, a small-town sheriff; Nathan Fillion reprising his Superman (2025) role as Guy Gardner; Garret Dillahunt as William Macon, a modern-day cowboy who hides his "self-righteous, conspiracy-minded" personality behind a charming façade; Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe, a composed and cunning woman; Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro, a former member of the Green Lantern Corps gone rogue; Nicole Ari Parker as Bernadette Stewart, John’s mother; and Jason Ritter as Billy Macon, Kerry’s husband.
The two-minute teaser opens with Hal and Kyle driving down a lonely road. "With all due respect," begins John, "we've been training for what, two months, and I haven't even worn the ring yet."
"Don't get hung up on the jewelry, junior," replies Hal with a twang in his voice. "You're just a fuckin' substitute teacher. You're not ready to get up in front of the class until the ring says you are." Hal places his Green Lantern power ring on the dashboard, then says "But alright..." before opening the car door and jumping out before the car heads over a cliff with John still inside.
Next, we see that John has presumably mastered the ring enough to survive as he walks back up the road to a slow clap from Hal, who found a place to eat outdoors. "I could have died," John tells him.
"You wanted me to train you, I'm trainin' you," replies Hal.
Later, Hal and Kyle drive into a small town that appears deserted. "Something is off here," observes Hal. "I can feel it."
Hal and Kyle then enter a large town hall meeting that includes Sheriff Kerry Macon. "This is my town," she tells Hal, "and you're a big shot, noted..."
As we see Paul Ben-Victor as Antaan, a humanoid extraterrestrial, Sheriff Macon continues, "...but stay out of my way."
"I think she hates your guts," observes John.
"It's the way she hates 'em," adds Hal.
Later, in a bar, John remarks, "This is a stupid plan."
"It gets stupider," replies Hal.
"That I don't doubt."
Next, we see a brief shot of Hal's Green Lantern uniform hanging in a closet. "The Green Lanterns' oath is to protect people," remarks John, "and we both know I do a better job of this than you."
"This is my job," counters Hal, "and as long as I'm alive, that ain't changin'..."
We get a brief glimpse of William Macon on a horse. "...so take a deep breath, junior," continues Hal.
"You're old. You're tired..." begins John as we see glimpses of someone parachuting out of the back of a cargo plane, Hal flying off into the sky, and John holding a Green Lantern power battery to recharge his ring. "...and you're time is up."
Fleeting images follow before we see Hal talking with Billy Macon in an interrogation room. "I don't understand," says Billy. "Who are you exactly?"
Hal smiles and responds "Hal Jordan, Green Lantern" before throwing Billy into the one-way mirror and across the room before aiming his power ring.
In the teaser trailer's final scene, Hal and John are driving at night and John asks, "Have you ever talked with the other Lanterns?"
"I'm the only human. They're aliens. One of 'em is a fuckin' squirrel," he replies, possibly referencing the Green Lantern known as Ch'p.
If you'd like to see the teaser trailer for Lanterns, you can view it below thanks to the official HBO account on YouTube...
Lanterns is expected to premiere on HBO in August.
