Director James Hawes confirms that the series starts with his feet on the ground, but will end up taking off

Some series are born with the aim of hooking from the spectacular. Others, on the other hand, prefer to earn your attention step by stepWith powerful characters, claw dialogues and a plot that is growing. LanternThe highly anticipated series of the DC universe focused on green lanterns seems to belong to the second group … But this does not mean that it will not make you fly in your head.

James Hawes, director of the pilot episode, wanted to reassure the most veterans and excite those who have not yet joined the universe of the green lanterns: The series will be intense, dark, very human … and yes, it will also have an intergalactic action.

Lanterns, a series that starts on earth … and ends in the stars

In a recent interview with Phase heroHawes – better known for work as Slow horses or Black mirror– He dropped some keys that made us lift our eyebrow with emotion: “The scripts are full of ingenuity and personality. It is like a film by a friend in the True Detective or Fargo style … but in which someone flies.”

According to the British director, Although at the beginning the tone is contained and realistic, very police thrillersThis does not mean that everything happens on our planet: “I intend to speak carefully, because exciting things are coming … but it will not disappoint classic fans.”
His final sentence clarifies: “We will meet the characters in a very close way before everything becomes intergalactic.”

Do he have to say that we are on board now?

The story begins in a forgotten corner of the heart of the United States: Nebraska. Over there, A mysterious murder will be an excuse to join Hal Jordan with John StewartThe veteran and debutant of the body of the green lantern. What begins as an isolated case will discover much darker secrets, with cosmic consequences.

A cast with its brightness (and power rings)

The series will have Kyle Chandler (Friday Night Lights, Godzilla vs Kong) Like Hal Jordan e Aaron Pierre (The Underground Railroad) In the role of John Stewart. We will also see the return of Nathan Filion Como Guy Gardnergiving continuity to his appearance in the next film by Superman.

But there are more powerful names:

• Kelly MacDonald (Boardwalk Empire) It will be the Sheriff Kerry, a key character of the plot of the mystery.
• Ulrich Thomsen He will embody the legendary sinestro, a mentor fallen from Jordan.
• Garret Dillahunt He will play William Macon, an obsessive conspiracy.
• Jason Ritter He will give life to his son Billy, much more adorable than they seem.
• Y Nicole Ari Parker It will appear as Bernadette Stewart, John’s mother.

Who is behind the script of the lanterns?

Here is another reason to get excited: the showrunner is Chris mundyresponsible for Ozarkaccompanied by no less than for Damon Lindelof (Watchmen, Leftovers) Y Tom KingComic and exhausting screenwriter of the CIA who has revolutionized DC with his human and complex stories.

The direction of the first two episodes is carried out by James Hawes, while shooting began in February 2025 in Los Angeles and is scheduled for the end of next month.

The future of the DC universe begins here

Lantern will have Eight episodes and will be present in preview in HBO (and streaming in Max) at the beginning of 2026. According to James Gunn’s statements, the series It will be the key to the narrative development of the new DCUAnd not just an isolated adventure.

This project was born after the renovation of Warner Bros. Discovery and the arrival of Gunn and Peter Safran as managers of DC Studios. The original plan – which would have revolved around Alan Scott and Guy Gardner, with Finn Witrock as the protagonist – was completely redesigned for Put Hal Jordan and John Stewart in the centerTwo of the most loved lanterns for fans.

And if you ask yourself again if it will be worth it, think about it: A series of green lantern written by the best screenwriters, with mystery to what Real detectivecharacters with depth and end that leads us to the outdoor space. Do you really need more reasons to turn on your torch?