HBO Max Unveils Second Trailer for Latest DC Drama, Featuring New Cast and Plot Details
HBO Max finally dropped the second trailer for their newest DCU show, Lanterns. The dark, gritty drama gives fans more insight into the show and introduces new cast members.
The trailer opens with Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) discussing when to use the Green Lantern's Power Ring. Right off the bat, it is clear that Jordan and Stewart are not on the same page. Not much is given away in this trailer that wasn't seen before, since the focus seems to be on a small-town mystery. However, this second trailer features the repeated phrase "are you afraid," further confirming that the fear-based Yellow Lanterns will appear.
Co-creator Chris Munday previously confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that Sinestro, leader of the Yellow Lantern Corps, aka Sinestro Corps, would be the main villain. In the comics, Sinestro taught Hal Jordan, as Jordan is teaching Stewart, but in the end, Sinestro turned away from the Green Lantern Corps. Ulrich Thomsen has already been cast to play Sinestro. Mundy also stated that Lanterns would follow two timelines: one in 2016 and one in 2026.
The first trailer dropped earlier this year, introducing audiences to Pierre and Chandler as Stewart and Jordan. The pair is shown training for Stewart to take over for Jordan when the time comes, but Stewart is growing impatient with him, believing he could do a better job than the older man. Besides the tension between the two men, Sheriff Kerry (Kelly MacDonald) does not appreciate the Lanterns derailing her murder case.
Nathan Fillion is returning as Guy Gardner, a Green Lantern introduced in James Gunn's Superman. Laura Linney made a surprise appearance in the trailer as well, but her character has not been announced quite yet. Linney previously worked with Lanterns co-creator Chris Mundy on Ozarks. Mundy previously acted as showrunner for Ozark, where Linney played Wendy Byrde. Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Jasmine Cephas Jones, and Jason Ritter have also been confirmed to be part of the Lanterns cast.
Lanterns is part of the first chapter of the DCU, called Gods and Monsters, which includes Superman, Peacemaker, Creature Commandos, and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which premieres June 26, just to name a few. Many of the other projects in the DCU are in development, but no premiere or cast has been set. The DCU is Warner Bros.' refresh of the DC universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran, which began after the DCEU concluded.
Lanterns is not the first live-action version of the Green Lantern comics. Famously a flop, Green Lantern was released in 2011 with Ryan Reynolds playing Hal Jordan. However, even with side characters appearing in shows like Arrow and Stargirl, there has not been a project focused entirely on Green Lantern since 2011. John Stewart has never made a live-action appearance until now.
Lanterns premieres August 16 on HBO Max.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 18, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
2026 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 2:25 PM.