A new official trailer for HBO Max’s upcoming DC Studios series "Lanterns" was unveiled at the San Diego Comic-Con panel. Aside from the appearances of the Green Lantern Hal Jordan (played by Kyle Chandler) and the rookie John Stewart (played by Aaron Pierre), the video introduced the antagonists Sinestro, the Manhunters, and, of course, Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner (who first appeared in James Gunn's "Superman" reboot).
A grounded, gritty sci-fi detective series, "Lanterns" is slated for premiere on August 16, 2026. As previously announced, the show revolves around an investigation into a dark, localised murder mystery in the American heartland. The footage delivers ample glimpses of the ring action that was missing from the very teaser and teases a dual-timeline story with a decade-long gap, spanning 2016 and 2026.
The new trailer shows Thaal Sinestro (Ulrich Thomsen) already locked up in a space jail following an attempted coup against the Guardians. Hal Jordan is shown visiting his former mentor in prison to seek information regarding the Manhunters, who are the primary threat behind a dark murder mystery on Earth. Parallels have been drawn to the iconic Hannibal Lecter, who did similar consulting work in the films and shows. The Manhunters, teased as the show's principal antagonists, are said to be the ruthless, robotic predecessors to the Green Lantern Corps created by the Guardians of the Universe.
The trailer features John Stewart holding a uniquely redesigned Power Battery. Fans speculate the plot mirrors the Emerald Twilight comic arc, setting up a dark twist where Hal Jordan could be corrupted, forcing John to step up as the primary protector of the DCU. The series is part of "Chapter One: Gods and Monsters" in James Gunn's rebooted DCU.
