Hal Jordan and John Stewart Fight in Lanterns First Footage (And We Know When the Trailer Is Coming)

Videos by ComicBook.com

HBO released a comprehensive teaser reel highlighting its massive 2026 slate, featuring heavy hitters like Euphoria, House of the Dragon, and A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms. However, the highlight for superhero fans is the very first footage from Lanterns. The clip showcases a tense dynamic between the two leads.

“I have trained my entire life for this,” John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) asserts in the footage. Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) immediately shuts him down. “You’re not ready to get up in front of the class until the ring says you are,” Jordan replies. The veteran hero then drops a Green Lantern power ring onto the dashboard of their moving vehicle and jumps out, leaving Stewart trapped as the car plummets off a cliff. The sequence establishes a rough mentorship where the stakes are life and death from the very beginning.

Lanterns First Footage Comes Just Before Its Trailer

👀 pic.twitter.com/X13r7m8bZy
— HBO Max (@hbomax) December 12, 2025

The footage release is a precursor to a much larger reveal arriving later today. HBO confirmed that the full trailer for Lanterns is scheduled to premiere at 4 pm ET. This extended look will likely provide context for the chaotic car scene and offer a clearer picture of the story. The series follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan as they investigate a dark earth-bound mystery in the American heartland.

In addition to starring two fan-favorite versions of Green Lantern, Lanterns boasts an impressive creative pedigree. Ozark showrunner Chris Mundy serves as the primary showrunner, working alongside Watchmen creator Damon Lindelof and celebrated comic book writer Tom King. Their collaboration suggests a gritty approach that aligns with the True Detective comparison James Gunn has used to describe the project. Instead of patrolling the far reaches of the galaxy, these Lanterns are acting as “super cops” on precinct Earth, dealing with a terrifying ancient horror that Gunn has previously teased will tie into the larger story of the DCU.

The dynamic teased in the clip indicates a friction-heavy relationship where Jordan forces Stewart to adapt quickly to survive. This “tough love” approach mirrors the classic buddy-cop formula but infuses it with the high-stakes responsibility of wielding the most powerful weapon in the universe. With the series set to be a cornerstone of the franchise’s second year, today’s trailer is expected to set the tone for what is shaping up to be one of the most unique entries in the superhero genre.

Lanterns is scheduled to premiere on HBO in late 2026.

What are you most excited to see in the full Lanterns trailer? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!