Surprise! Surprise! New details from a reported Lanterns teaser screening are raising eyebrows and reinforcing concerns surrounding James Gunn’s woke DCU, which leans heavily into divisive political territory.
According to a description shared by someone who attended a recent event in Mexico City, the HBO series positions its villains as right-wing extremists.
A Grounded Tone — With A Political Edge
Per the recent teaser, the footage is described as very grounded and realistic, closer in tone to True Detective Season 2 than a traditional superhero series.
Lanterns is also being compared to HBO’s Watchmen, which was also developed by Damon Lindelof. The comparison appears intentional, signaling a serious, gritty approach marked by heavy atmosphere and subdued pacing.
Visually, the show reportedly looks “unreal” — in a good way — with dense photography and a bleak, realistic aesthetic reminiscent of Mare of Easttown.
But while the production quality sounds high, the thematic direction is where controversy starts.
Hal Jordan’s Suit Takes A Medieval Turn
One of the most discussed elements is Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern suit, which is said to be:
- Fully practical and highly detailed
- Black, green, and white with gold accents
- Described as “medieval” and strange — intentionally unlike past comic or film designs
The suit reportedly incorporates what looks like an actual medieval breastplate, along with hanging leather jackets and gear stored in Hal’s closet.
When he finally appears, he does so wearing a mask, further emphasizing the grounded, almost law-enforcement aesthetic.
Notably, there is very little ring usage shown in the footage, suggesting the show may downplay classic Green Lantern constructs in favor of realism.
Hal’s suit is also compared to an alternate Injustice suit.
Politics Front And Center
The biggest talking point comes from the villains.
The antagonists are reportedly teased as right-wing extremists, described as abandoned and radicalized.
When asked whether characters like Atrocitus or Black Hand were involved, the response suggested the closest visual comparison was cemetery imagery, not cosmic threats.
For critics of Gunn’s DCU, this reinforces a growing belief that political messaging is being prioritized over classic DC mythology. Worth a mention is that Tom King also developed Lanterns.
Of course, the conservatives were also responsible for outing Gunn’s disturbing tweets that led to his firing by Disney years ago.
Passing The Torch — Or Limiting It?
The teaser reportedly hints that John Stewart cannot become a Green Lantern unless Hal Jordan hands down the role, leading to speculation that there may only be one ring between the two characters — a significant departure from established lore.
Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan is said to deliver a strong performance, but the structure raises questions about how much room the series leaves for other Lanterns to grow.
More rumors below.
More rumors
Take these with a grain of salt, but additional rumors have also said the younger John Stewart falls in love with the older Zoe (Poorna Jagannathan) and that her husband is a white conservative, which fits with the new rumors above.
There are also claims that the reason Hal and John show up in the heartland of America is to investigate the death of Green Lantern Alan Scott. Well, within the past decade, DC Comics changed Alan Scott to a gay man. So what happens to a gay man in the heartland of America surrounded by right-wing extremists?
Also, recall Gunn took shots at America in Peacemaker with comparisons to Nazis.
Music Choice Raises Eyebrows
Adding to the grounded — and arguably provocative — tone, the teaser features “Highway Patrolman” by Bruce Springsteen, a known left-wing figure, further aligning the series with law enforcement imagery and real-world themes rather than cosmic adventure.
Cast And Release Info
Lanterns stars Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, with Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, with Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry, Garret Dillahunt as William Macon, Jason Ritter as Billy Macon, Nicole Ari Parker as Bernadette, and Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro.
The series is set to debut late summer 2026 on HBO Max.
