How HBO’s Next DC Series Connects To James Gunn’s Superman Sequel Man Of Tomorrow Addressed By Showrunner

DC’s newest HBO show has a direct connection to its next big movie.

Lanterns showrunner Chris Mundy has revealed how the DC superhero series connects to James Gunn’s upcoming Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow. The Lanterns TV show follows veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and newest Lantern John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a murder in Nebraska believed to be tied to an otherworldly threat. The show takes place firmly within the DC Universe, with the investigation happening in 2016, while other events are transpiring in 2026. It also precedes the upcoming Man of Tomorrow movie, where John Stewart will appear once more.

Speaking with SFX Magazine about the show, Mundy revealed just how connected Lanterns and Man of Tomorrow are to one another. The showrunner explained how, creatively, the team behind the show were given free rein to tell their story, without having to worry about where characters would end up by the final episode. He explained John’s role in the DCU was a guiding point, teasing that both the creatives behind the show and those overseeing the larger franchise are happy with how his story ends up playing out.

Check out what Mundy had to say below:

We weren’t tasked with having any specific landing point, which was great for us because it gave us freedom to land the story where we wanted to land the story. But John will be part of the greater DC Universe. That was good for us to know. And where we land him is somewhere that they’re happy with us landing him and somewhere they can take him, if they want.

John Stewart will return in Man of Tomorrow, with the Lanterns TV show providing viewers with a first impression of his character before his big-screen debut. The Green Lantern-focused TV show will also see Guy Gardner return following his debut in the cast of Superman. He’ll also be coming back for the sequel movie, slated for a theatrical release on July 9, 2027. The only Lantern with an unsure fate is Hal Jordan, who hasn’t yet been confirmed to appear in anything after the TV show.

Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler walking down a road in Lanterns

The eight-episode series, which premieres on August 16, 2026, will offer a first impression for John, while also delivering a Lantern-focused story that includes a number of familiar attributes from the comics. Alongside its Green Lantern main characters, Lanterns also introduces Thaal Sinestro (Ulrich Thompson), Hal’s mentor and a nefarious Yellow Lantern. Other characters pulled from the comic include an unnamed Guardian of the Universe, played by Laura Linney, and the Manhunters, who will make their DCU debut during the series.

Mundy’s confirmation that John ends up somewhere that allows for his journey to continue means the show is somewhat taking into consideration his wider purpose in the DCU. Returning in the Superman sequel means his character’s journey needs to reflect why he’ll show up, even if it doesn’t directly tie into the movie as a whole. Since this is just his first outing in the budding cinematic universe, it’ll be how his first impression gets built, while also providing a small glimpse into how to expect his character to carry over into the larger franchise.

With Lanterns less than a week away from premiering, it won’t be long before John Stewart makes his first big impression on the DCU. Since he’s destined to return for Man of Tomorrow, the TV series seems like it’ll be considerate to his wider role in the franchise, with an endpoint for his character that makes perfect sense for his later appearances.