(Image Credits: DC Studios)
The latest Lanterns teaser trailer has shown us more about the upcoming HBO show. With fans responding better to this one, here are three reasons to be excited about the DCU TV show.
3 reasons to be excited for HBO’s Green Lantern series
1) Laura Linney’s confirmed casting
First look at Laura Linney in LANTERNS! pic.twitter.com/rfuV4nYhk7— Green Lantern DCU Updates (@LanternUpdates) May 18, 2026
Laura Linney’s involvement in Lanterns was reported on way back in 2025. However, prior to today, it was just rumors. The newest trailer for the series finally shows off Linney in the show. While it’s unclear who she’s playing, Linney’s involvement is big. Linney has a ton of awards to her name, including four Primetime Emmys, two Golden Globes, a Screen Actors Guild Award, five Tony Awards, and more.
Linney is a legend in the world of acting, and her involvement in the show should garner some excitement. Judging by her appearance in the trailer, her character seems connected to Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart. The end of the trailer sees Stewart detailing his desire for the Green Lantern ring, and Linney telling him to “go and get it.”
2) Lanterns finally showing off its superhero vibes
Hal Jordan trying to stop a cosmic invasion?? pic.twitter.com/IphXrYE955— Everything_DCU (@EverythingDCU_) May 17, 2026
When the first Lanterns trailer was released, fans were not pleased. The show showed off little of the actual Green Lanterns aspect of the series, and left fans immediately worried. This time, though, DC Studios has peeled the curtain just a bit more, and we’re finally getting a look at the superhero vibes of the superhero show. The new trailer still keeps things mostly close to the chest, but undoubtedly is more “superhero” than anything we’ve gotten before.
The new look not only shows off some of the powers of the Green Lanterns, but also teases the terrifying Sinestro, one of the main antagonists to the Green Lanterns Corps. When the show was originally announced as a detective series mixed with the iconic comic group, fans were excited at the premise. Now, we’re finally seeing how these worlds will meld, and if this is only a taste, it’ll be exciting to see more of what the Lanterns can do when the show premieres on August 16, 2026.
3) Aaron Pierre’s rise as John Stewart
Are you afraid? #Lanterns premieres August 16 on @hbomax. pic.twitter.com/JVxk31B2tm— HBO Max (@hbomax) May 18, 2026
By far, one of the most exciting things to come from the trailer is how heavily focused on John Stewart it is. Of course, Aaron Pierre is going to be a major factor in the show, but his rise as Stewart will be important for many reasons. For one, it seems to be the main plot point of the show, as Pierre’s struggles to determine his own worthiness for the Green Lanterns’ power highlight the trailer. The show also promises to show us his eventual rise to the John Stewart fans know of, which will be important for the other reason.
For Pierre, Lanterns won’t be his only time in the DCU. Pierre’s Stewart promises to be a major figure in the ongoing DCU, as not only is Stewart one of the most prominent Green Lantern members, but the way James Gunn has begun building out the DCU shows that characters will be appearing in a litany of crossover projects. This means Lanterns will be important for setting up how we view Stewart in the DCU moving forward.
