Kyle Chandler Set to Lead in HBO & DC’s ‘Lanterns’ TV Series

HBO’s highly anticipated DC series Lanterns has officially found its Hal Jordan. Emmy winner Kyle Chandler is set to take on the role of the legendary Green Lantern Corps member. This will mark Chandler’s return to television in his first series role since starring in Showtime’s 2022 drama Super Pumped. According to Deadline, the Friday Night Lights star is in negotiations to join the eight-episode project, which is set to explore a darker, more grounded side of the Green Lantern mythology.

Lanterns is being developed by showrunner Chris Mundy (Ozark) alongside co-writers Damon Lindelof (Watchmen) and comic book icon Tom King. The series will follow two of DC Comics’ most famous Lanterns—Hal Jordan and John Stewart—as they become entangled in a complex, True Detective-style mystery. Chandler is reportedly in talks to portray Jordan, a role previously played by Ryan Reynolds in the 2011 Green Lantern film, which received less-than-favorable reviews. This new iteration, however, promises to be a significant departure from its predecessor, offering a grittier, more mature take on the characters.

As one of the first major series under the leadership of DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, Lanterns is shaping up to be a cornerstone of their revamped DC Universe. The show will focus on Hal Jordan (Chandler) and the as-yet-uncast John Stewart, as the two “intergalactic cops” investigate a murder in the American heartland. The mystery at the heart of the series is still under wraps, but it is expected to dive deep into the darker corners of Earth and space, offering a unique blend of superhero action and crime thriller elements.

While the casting of Jordan is nearly finalized, the search for John Stewart is ongoing. According to reports, the production team is aiming to cast a younger, up-and-coming actor to play opposite Chandler’s seasoned Jordan. Historically, Stewart holds a special place in DC Comics as one of the company’s first Black superheroes, and the dynamic between him and Jordan is expected to drive much of the drama in the series. Sources also noted that DC initially sought a major movie star for the role of Hal Jordan, with names like Josh Brolin, Chris Pine, and Ewan McGregor being floated, but ultimately Chandler emerged as the front-runner.

Lanterns is produced by HBO in collaboration with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, with the series currently in the process of finalizing its casting and hiring directors. Filming is slated to begin in Atlanta next January and continue through June, making this one of the most anticipated DC projects on the horizon.

“John Stewart and Hal Jordan are two of DC’s most compelling characters, and Lanterns brings them to life in an original detective story that is a foundational part of the unified DCU we’re launching next summer with Superman,” said DC Studios co-chairmen James Gunn and Peter Safran during the series’ announcement. With its gritty tone and a focus on character-driven storytelling, Lanterns is set to be a defining new chapter in the new DC Universe.

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