HBO Max has released a new trailer for DC Studios series Lanterns — and this time there’s plenty of green.
Some fans criticized the first Lanterns trailer for its distinct lack of green — that is, their lack of Green Lanterns doing Green Lantern things. But this new trailer, below, shows Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) in a more traditional superhero light, using the power of the ring to block energy beams, create a protective bubble around him, and even create money out of thin air.
There are some space shots, too, with Hal Jordan arriving on the cracked surface of a mysterious planet in his Green Lantern costume. We also see new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) express his desire to obtain cosmic abilities for himself, which appears to put him in direct confrontation with Hal Jordan. But there’s more in the trailer: we get a glimpse of Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner, fresh from his appearance in last summer’s DC Universe kickstarter Superman, and a first look at Laura Linney.
Are you afraid? #Lanterns premieres August 16 on @hbomax. pic.twitter.com/Z0uUUQMwZh
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) May 18, 2026
In March, Lanterns co-creator Damon Lindelof apologized for previously saying that the word “Green” in “Green Lantern” was “stupid.” Last year, the former Lost mastermind appeared on the Lovett or Leave It podcast where he discussed the decision to omit “Green” from Lanterns’ title. “It’s called Lanterns, because we all agreed that the ‘Green’ was stupid, so now it’s just Lanterns,” the writer-director joked at the time.
Green Lantern comic writer Grant Morrison decided to give his thoughts on erasing the pivotal color from the equation after Lindelof’s comments resurfaced.
“TV writer/producer Damon Lindelof’s comments notwithstanding, the ‘Green’ in ‘Green Lantern(s)’ is not ‘stupid.’ Why does a writer attach himself to this kind of narrative if he thinks it’s fundamentally ‘stupid’?” Morrison questioned via his Substack. “What is this jockish dismissal of superhero conventions intended to prove anyway? … The only people who give a f*** about the Lanterns TV series are Green Lantern fans. Why alienate them at the start? That feels more like ‘stupid.’”
Lindelof then responded to Morrison, apologizing to him and Green Lantern fans the world over. “I have upset Grant Morrison, which means I have now pissed off MOST of the brilliant British/Scottish comics writers that I grew up idolizing,” Lindelof said on Instagram. “To quote the bard (Otis Redding), this is nobody’s fault but mine.”
He added, “I made a dumb joke on a comedy podcast. I’m not going to bob and weave about context, the joke was dumb, the fandom is not. I owe them an explanation and a genuine reflection of my actual feelings.” Plus, Lindelof included an old photo of himself in a green Green Lantern shirt to hammer his thoughts home.
Lanterns will debut Sunday, August 16 on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max. It follows this summer’s DC movie, Supergirl, and before body horror DC film, Clayface, which comes out in October. Beyond that, next summer will see the release of Superman follow-up, Man of Tomorrow.
Here’s the official blurb:
The series follows new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].
