“I Don’t Think DC Fans Will Be In Any Way Disappointed:” Lanterns Director Praises The DCU Series’ “Electric” Cast

Lanterns director James Hawes recently unpacked what fans have to look forward to in the upcoming DC series. The show, which features prolific comic book writer Tom King as a producer, will follow Green Lanterns Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) in an intergalactic crime thriller. The cast also includes Ulrich Thomsen, Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Nicole Ari Parker, and Jason Ritter. Lanterns is currently filming and is set to premiere on HBO, though its release date is not yet confirmed.

Speaking with Collider, Hawes emphasized the quality of Lanterns’ writing, stating: “Listen, it all starts from the script.” He continued:

“When you turn those pages, can you get the smell of it? You always find a scene or two that you think, ‘I can’t wait to be stood beside the camera and the cast, directing this scene on the day.’ If that happens on turning the pages, you know this is something you have to take seriously, and that absolutely happened with Lanterns. To some extent, it’s a swerve. Superheroes are not somewhere I’ve really played before, but it’s created in such a way—and I can’t tell you much—that it bewitched me.”

As for how it tackles the more high-concept elements of being a superhero series, Hawes explained: “It doesn’t lack its sci-fi magic, but it’s done in a world where you accept that these things just are. They don’t need that extra sprinkle of sci-fi fairy dust. It works within a physical world that we’ve come to know.“

Additionally, when discussing the cast, Hawes said the top two words that came to mind were “authenticity” and “charm.” The director described John and Hal as “two people you just want to hang out with.” He then shouted out MacDonald, who he previously collaborated with on Black Mirror. Discussing the whole cast, Hawes stated: “You get people who are just so classy and so busy inhabiting their roles, so you never doubt it. They’re not on the outside—they’re deep in those skins.“

Hawes’ comments tease a more grounded, character-based take on the Green Lantern Corps. Previously, True Detective was cited as one of the inspirations for the series, further contextualizing why Hawes said its world is one where powers simply exist but aren’t the focus. Additionally, based on his statements, Lanterns seems to be built upon the chemistry between Hal and John as they solve this mystery together. As such it is essential that the writing nails the characterization of both heroes.

The First Official Look At The DCU’s Green Lantern Show Has Already Set Up A Major Mystery For The Show To Explain & I’m Convinced It’s The Perfect Decision

The first official look at John Stewart and Hal Jordan in Lanterns has set up a pretty cool mystery, and I’m excited about the implications.

For his part, Pierre previously expressed his excitement about playing John Stewart and doing the character justice: “What I can tell you is that the team are just super, super excited to have this opportunity to bring this story to the people. And, so far as I’m concerned, I’m gonna do my very best to serve and honor and elevate in any way I can, John Stewart and the [Green Lantern] Corps. Hopefully, I serve that, and it resonates with me.“

John Stewart and Hal Jordan Lanterns Show First Look Image

While the premiere Lanterns is still a ways away, Hawes’ enthusiasm about the writing and cast is intriguing. Green Lantern is a major DC hero, but previous attempts to adapt the character in live-action have been less than stellar. However, if Lanterns pulls off its buddy-cop mystery premise, it might just do Hal and John justice.