James Gunn Updates On Trailer Release For DCU's Most Highly Anticipated Show For 2026

The DC Universe franchise has finished its 2025 run, following the release of James Gunn’s Superman movie and the completion of Peacemaker season 2 on HBO Max. The DCU’s Chapter 1: “Gods and Monsters” line-up is far from done with introducing some of their biggest heroes and villains into the reboot, as the Green Lantern Corps is one of them.

HBO’s Lanterns TV show has finished production, and when Gunn was asked by BobaTalks when the world may get a first look at the DCU drama. He confirmed that he has “seen the [sneak] peak,” for the series. However, the DC Studios co-CEO added, “I think at least where it is now. But I have no clue…when that’s planned to be shown. With HBO, the marketing is so different than film.”

The series will focus on John Stewart and Hal Jordan, two of DC’s most famous members of the Green Lantern Corps, with Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler set to portray them, respectively. While Hal made his live-action debut in 2011’s Green Lantern with Ryan Reynolds, the HBO series will be the first time John gets used outside of comics and animation.

Initially set to be an HBO Max original, the series got retooled to broadcast on HBO when it was picked up for eight episodes on June 25, 2024. This will be the first DCU TV show to get the HBO treatment, following The Penguin from Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe, which exists as an Elseworlds.

Centered on Hal, a veteran Green Lantern, and John, who begins his journey in the show, HBO describes Lanterns as “two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.” Chris Mundy co-created the series and serves as the showrunner, with Damon Lindelof and Tom King attached as executive producers.

The Lanterns TV show will also introduce one of the most famous villains in the Emerald Knights’ lore, as Sinestro is confirmed to appear, played by Ulrich Thomsen. Nathan Fillion, who debuted as Guy Gardner in Superman, is confirmed to return in the upcoming series.

While set to premiere in 2026, Lanterns has yet to get a premiere date from HBO.