A new Green Lantern is arriving on screen.
HBO has released the first trailer for Lanterns, the upcoming DC Studios series that will introduce a new version of Hal Jordan—this time played by Kyle Chandler. The show also stars Aaron Pierre as fellow Green Lantern John Stewart and is part of the new DC Universe overseen by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Watch the trailer below:
Related: Ryan Reynolds Speaks Out on Deadpool’s MCU Status Amid Messy Legal Battle
Ryan Reynolds Replaced as Hal Jordan
The series marks the first major live-action return for the character since the 2011 film Green Lantern, which starred Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan. Directed by Martin Campbell, the movie struggled both critically and commercially, grossing $220 million worldwide against a reported $200 million budget. Plans for a sequel were quickly abandoned.
Now, more than a decade later, DC is reintroducing the character in a very different format. The newly released trailer for Lanterns presents a grounded tone that some viewers have compared to crime dramas such as True Detective. In the footage, Jordan and Stewart appear to be investigating a mystery on Earth rather than immediately taking to space.
Lanterns Is Already Facing Backlash
The visual approach has also sparked debate among fans. Some viewers have pointed out that the Lantern suits in the trailer appear darker than expected, leaning more toward olive tones than the bright green typically associated with the characters.
Regardless of the reaction, the series confirms that Reynolds’ version of Hal Jordan will not be returning.
Reynolds famously played the role in the 2011 film before later reinventing himself in the superhero genre with Deadpool (2016). That movie, directed by Tim Miller, became a major success, earning $782.6 million worldwide. Its two sequels, Deadpool 2 (2018) and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024) were also huge successes.
For DC Studios, however, Lanterns represents a chance to redefine the Green Lantern mythology within its new cinematic universe.
The franchise launched its latest chapter last year with Superman (2025), and several projects are already in development, including Supergirl (2026) and Clayface (2026).
Whether Lanterns wins over audiences remains to be seen. But with Kyle Chandler now wearing the ring as Hal Jordan, a new era for the character is officially underway.
Would you like to see Ryan Reynolds return as Deadpool? And do you think he could breathe new life into Hal Jordan in the same way? Let us know in the comments below!
