HBO's "Lanterns" Stars Discuss Their Green Lantern Roles and Series Approach

HBO’s upcoming live-action series "Lanterns," which premieres on August 16, follows Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart as they investigate an alien presence in a Nebraska town. The show emphasizes a low-tech, character-driven narrative rather than the expansive sci-fi backdrop typical of the franchise.

In an interview, lead actors Kyle Chandler (Hal Jordan) and Aaron Pierre (John Stewart) explained how they approached their roles. Chandler said he grew up reading comics but was unfamiliar with the deeper history of the character until recent exposure to fan conventions. He described Hal as a flawed, arrogant figure whose humor balances darker moments in the script.

"It wasn’t hard. When you read the script you see all the dimensions of a human being in the character," Chandler said.

Pierre recounted his early exposure to DC comics in London and his admiration for the legacy of John Stewart, noting the character’s origins in the 1970s as a groundbreaking Black superhero. He said his preparation involved continuously refining the portrayal to capture Stewart’s core motivations.

"Revision… never being satisfied, always trying to grow and evolve," Pierre explained.

Both actors highlighted the on-set chemistry between them, describing the production as a collaborative effort despite challenging desert shoots. The series will release weekly episodes on HBO and HBO Max, concluding on October 4.