San Diego Comic Con 2026: ‘Lanterns’ Panel

(L to R) Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.

Preview:

HBO brought a ‘Lanterns’ panel to San Diego Comic-Con 2026
Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, Nathan Fillion and more discussed the DC Studios TV show.
The series lands on HBO on August 16.

While the animated ‘Creature Commandos’ led the charge and there are a host of other shows in development, it’s up to Green Lantern-focused action-drama series ‘Lanterns’ to establish a DC Studios live-action TV beachhead via HBO.

Naturally, DC and HBO brought the likes of stars Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, plus other cast and co-creators Tom King, Damon Lindelof and Chris Mundy to Hall H at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con to shine some light on what they’ve been up to.

“Only one can wear the ring.”

Air Date: August 16th, 2026

With DC Studios co-chief James Gunn introducing the panel via a video from the set of ‘Superman’ follow-up ‘Man of Tomorrow’ (where Pierre will reprise his role as Lantern John Stewart), things kicked off with a new trailer for the show (below), which included talk of Manhunters and a look at regular Lantern antagonist Sinestro (played on the show by Ulrich Thomsen).

Related Article: ‘Lanterns’ Aaron Pierre Set to Play John Stewart in ‘Man of Tomorrow’

What’s the story of ‘Lanterns’?

(L to R) Kelly Macdonald, Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.

‘Lanterns’ will follow the Hal Jordan (Chandler) and John Stewart (Pierre) characters, as new recruit Stewart and Lantern legend Jordan are described in the latest official synopsis as “two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.”

So, think ‘True Detective’ meets ‘Green Lantern’…

What did we learn at the ‘Lanterns’ Comic-Con panel?

Kyle Chandler in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.

Chandler focused on the aspects of Hal being “an idiot and an asshole,” while Pierre was happier reiterating Stewart’s background as a sniper from the comic books’ origin story. Said the actor: “My hope is that when people watch this, they walk away with a tangibility… John wasn’t born with the superpowers that some of his contemporaries were.”

There was the fairly standard chatter about how the cast and crew formed a family unit and enthusiastic mentions of how much location work went into production. Mundy also explained how the CGI was intended to feel natural and that post-production work has been going on right up until the team brought the clips to the con.

Talking of, one specific clip saw Chandler’s Jordan interrogating a man who turns out to be a shape-shifting alien, which includes some handy cross-channel promotion including a mention of ‘Harry Potter.’ It also showcases the effects, as Jordan protects those around him from an explosive device using his ring’s powers.

Aaron Pierre in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John Johnson/HBO Max.

Pierre related how he tore his bicep just before performing for the audition callback. He performed in a brace. He had a matter of months to rehabilitate before the shoot.

Nathan Fillion –– who plays his ‘Superman’ Lantern character (and bowl-cut-sporting blowhard) Guy Gardner on the show –– arrived on stage to introduce more footage. Not-so-surprisingly, it features Gardner meeting Jordan. The clip humorously cuts off, ending with “Property of the Green Lantern Corps.”

Laura Linney’s character is revealed to be a Guardian, one of the founders and leaders of the Green Lantern Corps. Aaron Pierre says she is “like an auntie to me.” An alien auntie!