This article contains spoilers for Lanterns.Lanterns is a new series set in the DC Universe, an interconnected network of TV shows and movies based on DC Comics. The show follows veteran Green Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) as he trains newcomer John Stewart (Aaron Pierre), although there’s a lot of tension between them. So far, the show has been a hit with viewers and critics alike, but not everyone is happy.
Studio executive Peter Safran and film director James Gunn (Guardians of the Galaxy, Superman) are in charge of developing the DCU. This past Sunday, Gunn teased the sixth episode of Lanterns, which aired that night, on Threads. One person took the opportunity to share how unhappy they’ve been with the show so far. “Maybe you should try and at least respect the characters that made the comics popular,” they wrote. “Killing Hal off right away after we have waited 15 years to see him on screen again was the worst thing you could have done.”
The first five episodes of Lanterns are set mainly in 2016, when Hal and John investigate possible extraterrestrial activity in the town of Rushville, NE. But it’s true that the first episode ends by jumping ahead in time to 2026, revealing that Hal Jordan has been shot dead.
Revealing Hal’s death in the series premiere was a bold move, but Gunn doesn’t agree that it’s disrespectful to the character. “Hal’s the star of TV series & he’s in all the episodes so far,” Gunn wrote. “It’s more live action screen time than all the live action screen time he’s had combined throughout history.”
Kyle is amazing in the role. We more than respect him. We love him, despite his imperfections. Us knowing the time of his death, if that’s exactly what that is, is absolutely not the same thing as killing him off right away. Hal is a big reason why the show is so popular with fans & non fans alike; sorry if you don’t like it
The sixth episode of Lanterns is set in 2026, as John Stewart and Sheriff Kerry Kane (Kelly Macdonald) investigate Hal Jordan’s murder. At the end of the episode, John digs up Hal’s body so he can access Hal’s power ring. John then uses the ring to produce a holographic version of Hal that has some of Hal’s memories. Presumably, Kyle Chandler will continue to play this version of Hal going forward.
But Gunn seems to hint that the original Hal could still be alive, or could be resurrected. “Us knowing the time of his death, if that’s exactly what that is, is absolutely not the same thing as killing him off right away.” The phrase “if that’s exactly what that is” seems to cast doubt on whether Hal Jordan is actually dead.
It would be far from the first time that a character from a superhero comic book was killed off only to return. In DC Comics, Hal Jordan actually does die in the 1996 crossover event Final Night #4, only to be revived in the 2004-2005 miniseries Green Lantern: Rebirth. That kind of thing happens all the time in the superhero genre.
There are two episodes left in the first season of Lanterns. They air on HBO and HBO Max on Sunday nights. In the meantime, Gunn is known to respond to questions on social media, so keep the queries coming.
- Release Date
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August 16, 2026
- Network
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HBO
- Showrunner
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Chris Mundy
- Directors
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Alik Sakharov, James Hawes, Stephen Williams, Geeta Patel
- Writers
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Damon Lindelof, Chris Mundy, Tom King, Vanessa Baden Kelly, Justin Britt-Gibson, Breannah Gibson
