HBO Max Unveils First Full ‘Lanterns’ Trailer at Comic-Con
Hal Jordan and John Stewart go full detective mode in a dark, Earthbound Green Lantern mystery.
HBO Max debuted the first full trailer for “Lanterns” at San Diego Comic-Con, teasing an August 2026 premiere.
TL;DR
- HBO Max released the official “Lanterns” trailer during its Comic-Con panel.
- Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre star as Hal Jordan and John Stewart.
- The footage introduces Sinestro and the robotic Manhunters.
- UK viewers can watch the eight-episode series on Sky Atlantic and NOW from August 17.
San Diego, Calif. — HBO Max premiered its first full trailer for “Lanterns” at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday. The footage introduced fans to a grittier, detective-driven take on the Green Lantern Corps. Readers can catch up on the earlier teaser breakdown for more background on the show’s rollout.
The trailer showcases Kyle Chandler as veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan. Aaron Pierre plays John Stewart, the rookie learning to wield a power ring.
The two are paired up to investigate a murder in the American heartland. That local case quickly points toward a much larger cosmic threat.
The series leans into a noir tone. Some critics have compared the mystery structure to the “Emerald Twilight” comic storyline.
Tension between mentor and student runs through the footage. In the trailer, Stewart tells Jordan, “You’re old, you’re tired.” Jordan fires back, “This is my job.”
Kelly Macdonald also appears as Sheriff Kerry, a local lawman wary of the Lanterns’ arrival in her town. Her presence grounds the story in small-town stakes.
The trailer gave fans their first extended look at Ulrich Thomsen as Thaal Sinestro. Thomsen’s Sinestro is shown speaking with Jordan from behind bars as a former mentor turned enemy.
The footage also confirmed the Manhunters as the show’s primary antagonists. In the comics, the Manhunters were robotic peacekeepers built by the Guardians of the Universe before the Green Lantern Corps existed.
Nathan Fillion returns as Guy Gardner, reprising the role from “Superman.” His brief appearance drew audible laughs from the Hall H crowd. Fans still catching up on the DCU’s big-screen side can revisit our Supergirl review for a look at how the wider universe is faring.
Laura Linney also stars, playing a Guardian mentor figure overseeing the Corps. Her casting adds prestige weight to the ensemble.
Not every reaction was glowing. Longtime comic readers online flagged Jordan’s suit design as visually inconsistent with his classic look. Others said the tonal shift toward noir felt like a risk worth taking.
Series co-creator Chris Mundy, known for “True Detective: Night Country,” co-wrote the pilot with Damon Lindelof and Tom King. Mundy also serves as showrunner.
James Hawes directed the first two episodes, with Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel, and Alik Sakharov also behind the camera for the season.
The eight-episode first season is central to James Gunn’s rebooted DC Universe. It follows earlier entries like “Creature Commandos,” “Superman,” and “Peacemaker” season two. Casting is still filling out elsewhere in the universe too — see our report on Sinqua Walls joining Man of Tomorrow for the latest.
UK Release Details
UK and Ireland audiences will get “Lanterns” one day after the US, with the series premiering Monday, August 17, 2026. It will air via Sky Atlantic and stream on NOW, with access included for subscribers on an Entertainment & HBO Max membership. US viewers get it a day earlier, on Sunday, August 16, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HBO.
With Sinestro behind bars and the Manhunters looming, the season appears built for a slow-burn reveal. Whether the noir approach wins over longtime Green Lantern fans will become clear once the full season lands next month.
Sources
- Lanterns Trailer From the San Diego Comic-Con — Vital Thrills
- Hal Jordan Meets John Stewart In Dark Lanterns Trailer — Hollywood Outbreak
- ‘Lanterns’ Trailer Teases Arrival of Sinestro, Manhunters — TheWrap
- HBO’s “Lanterns” trailer reveals John Stewart in training — AOL/Entertainment Weekly
- ‘Lanterns’ Official Trailer Released Ahead Of August HBO Max Premiere — Popped
- Lanterns: release date, trailer, cast, plot — TechRadar
Elena Vane is an award-winning comics historian and pop culture journalist. Specializing in the DC/Marvel universes and independent graphic novels, Elena has been documenting the rise of cosplay culture for over a decade . She is a frequent panelist at New York Comic Con and provides in-depth biographies of industry pioneers. Elena’s expertise ensures that every comic-related update is factually grounded and community-focused .
