LANTERNS Will Explore Different Time Periods and Tell a New Story Inspired by the Comics
DC Studios’ upcoming series Lanterns is shaping up to be one of the most promising projects in the new DCU slate. It’s the first major live-action adaptation of the Green Lantern mythology in over a decade, and it’ll introduce John Stewart and Hal Jordan into this universe.
What makes this show even more interesting is its True Detective-inspired tone and character-driven storytelling. Now, showrunner Chris Mundy is pulling back the curtain just a bit more on what fans can expect.
In a new interview with Men’s Health, Mundy revealed that Lanterns will take a unique approach to its storytelling, exploring its main characters across different time periods. Aaron Pierre, who stars as John Stewart, apparently plays a key role in making that concept work.
“Our story takes place in a couple of different time periods and so the challenge was for the characters be consistent at their core. John’s sort of a different person in one of them than he is in another.
“And I do think the physicality and magnetism that Aaron brings to the role brought that all together. That theater training, that wanting to be in the minutia of the work and the craft, it really added to John’s character from all sides.
“It added dimension to the more physical side of the role, and to the more emotional, creative part of the role.”
This doesn’t mean we’re diving into the ancient history of the Green Lantern Corps, but rather that we’ll see both Stewart and Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan at different points in their lives.
It’s a smart use of the television format, allowing more space to explore these characters in depth.
While Lanterns isn’t directly adapting a single comic arc, it is deeply rooted in the source material. In the same interview, Mundy clarified the show’s approach to comic accuracy:
“Everybody did varying degrees of comic book homework on their own, and we [including co-creators Lindelof and Tom King] were there to answer any questions.
“But we aren’t telling one specific chapter that’s already existed in the comics. Our characters are true to the comics, but we’re putting them in a new story.
“So the actors didn’t have to dig into a specific period in the comic books. It was more about understanding who John is and understanding who Hal is.”
From everything Mundy’s said so far, it sounds like Lanterns is grounded in realism, but not afraid to tap into the fantasy elements that make the Green Lantern world so compelling. In fact, he said earlier this year:
“From the start, our driving force has been to deliver a layered drama—rooted in nuanced storytelling and rich world building—that balances tension and mystery with honest, authentic emotion. The goal is to create something that feels timeless and grounded without sacrificing the magic of the source material.”
It’s been a long wait to see the Lanterns done justice in live-action, but with a talented creative team and a strong cast, Lanterns is poised to finally give the DCU the cosmic crime saga it deserves.
The series is set to debut on HBO sometime in 2026.