Since James Gunn took over as head of the DC Universe movie franchise, he’s been trying to expand the property while making sure not to overwhelm viewers with too many projects at once. That’s a good lesson learned from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Among the many projects on the horizon is Lanterns, which seemed to be on the fast track to hitting HBO perhaps in 2026. With creators Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King involved and filming set (complete with cast photos), the show looked to be prepped for an early 2026 release.
However, things may have changed. The Hollywood Reporter had a piece in October on how the next DCU installment will be Supergirl - which we know is set to release on June 26, 2026. The Green Lanterns Podcast reached out to THR for details, with THR responding, “You are quite the eagle-eyed reader. Yes, we expect Lanterns will now come after Supergirl.”
It’s a bit of a letdown to fans hoping to see this new take on an iconic DC Comics property, but it sounds like there are various logistical reasons why Lanterns won’t shine for a while.
Has Lanterns been delayed?
For those unaware, Lanterns is based on the iconic Green Lantern comics. It revolves around the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic police force whose members use special power rings generated by will. That allows them flight, force fields and the ability to create constructs of anything they can imagine.
The Lanterns show is set up like a classic buddy-cop movie as newbie Lantern John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) is paired with veteran Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) on a case that uncovers an alien conspiracy on Earth.
While the release date is currently unclear, it was anticipated for early 2026. So why is that seemingly no longer the case? The key reason for the delay could be the likelihood that the show will require a lot of post-production work. The power rings alone will need a score of CGI to bring their constructs to life and while most of the show is set on Earth, it’s likely some space sequences take place. That needs plenty of SFX that needs time to look good.
Another reason is that HBO and HBO Max has a lot on its slate for the first half of 2026. There’s the Game of Thrones spinoff A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, House of the Dragon season 3 is expected in June as well as the long-awaited return of Euphoria. HBO Max streaming drama The Pitt also returns for its second season in January 2026. With so much on their plate already, Warner Bros. may well find it easier to hold off on another major tentpole series. If Lanterns comes out in the summer or fall, it gives them another big-budget production to showcase in a more quiet part of the year for the platforms.
That works for the DCU as Gunn is trying to avoid Marvel’s mistake of oversaturating the market with too many projects at once. Besides Supergirl, Clayface is expected in September of 2026, so Lanterns can fit in well for a late summer/early fall 2026 release. It also helps them distance from some MCU fare like Wonder Man.
So we don’t have a window yet, and hopefully, fans will be rewarded when Green Lanterns’ light once again shines on HBO.
Lanterns premieres on HBO and HBO Max in 2026