Fans of Green Lantern may be waiting longer than expected to see John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre, and Hal Jordan, played by Kyle Chandler, appear in the upcoming DC Universe series. Originally planned for early 2026, the HBO production Lanterns now appears likely to arrive later that year, sometime after DC Studios’ next major film release.
According to a report from The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month, the show is expected to debut after Supergirl, which opens in theaters in June 2026. The Lanterns Podcast asked THR to confirm the report, and the outlet did so, reinforcing the expectation that the series would follow the film’s release. While no official date had ever been announced, early production plans suggested it could have been the next series in DC’s connected lineup. Filming wrapped earlier in the summer, but HBO appears to be taking extra time on editing and finishing touches before its release.
DC Studios co-president James Gunn said in November 2024 that he expected Lanterns and Supergirl to premiere “around the same time.” After this latest report, that seems less likely. There is no confirmed reason for the delay, whether it involves the story, reshoots, or post-production. The show has been described as similar in tone to True Detective, focusing on intergalactic law enforcement while including well-known DC villains, indicating that the show’s large-scale scope remains in place.
Showrunner Chris Mundy recently shared that one of the themes of the series centers on the idea of retirement. Viewers familiar with the Green Lantern mythos will recognize that this may concern Hal Jordan, now shown as a seasoned Lantern mentoring newcomer John Stewart. “Our show is in a lot of ways about replacement—when should someone step aside and when is it time for the next person to take the reins?” Mundy said. This could hint that Hal may step down from the Green Lantern Corps or face a different fate by the end of the season.
Mundy also discussed the dynamic between the two leads, noting how their contrasting personalities drive the story. The show uses this tension in a style similar to a buddy-cop drama, set against the backdrop of a murder mystery in the American heartland. “That push and pull between those two characters is really important,” Mundy said. He described Pierre’s portrayal of Stewart as confident and composed, rarely losing his temper but always commanding presence through calm strength. “He knows he belongs, so he doesn’t have to overcompensate. There’s a real balance there that’s just innately inside of Aaron. He’s big. He’s an intimidating presence just physically. But there’s a softness to him too. There’s a thoughtfulness. You can’t teach that.”
Lanterns is expected to debut sometime after the release of the DCU movie Supergirl, which is scheduled to hit theaters on June 26, 2026. The series will likely premiere in the second half of 2026, with July 2026 being the earliest probable date. This delay from the originally expected early 2026 release. HBO’s packed 2026 lineup, which includes other major series, and the desire to give Supergirl its own spotlight are factors in the scheduling decision. The exact release date for Lanterns has not yet been officially announced, but it will come after June 2026 and before other DCU projects planned later in the year.
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