Kyle Chandler's Hal Jordan made an immense impact on fans throughout Lanterns season 1, which is why many held out hope that his death would somehow be undone in the season finale. Sadly, that wasn't in the cards, but that doesn't mean there isn't still hope for a return in season 2, and there are three key ways to make that happen.
The first method requires belief in Sinestro's statement that he can bring Jordan back from the dead, and to make that happen, he would utilize the power of fear that surrounds him on the desolate alien planet. It's difficult to trust much of what Sinestro says, but when it comes to Jordan, there is a clear connection the two have, especially when John is there to compare it to. That's why Sinestro's claims seem genuine, and after being able to forge his own Lantern, he might just be able to pull it off.
The question becomes how to take that power to the next step, and that would likely require Sinestro to not only forge another Lantern Battery but also get his hands on a ring. His ring could be locked up on OA just like Jordan's was, but he would need to escape his current predicament before reclaiming it, and that's where Noah comes in.
Noah wants to live a normal life, but if he finds out that his mom killed Jordan, he might see bringing Jordan back as a way to help her heal and allow her to move forward. The combination of a new Lantern, Sinestro's ring, and Noah's manhunter technology could be enough to bring Jordan back to the land of the living. If it does, that's going to create a whole new energy to John's world and season 2 as a whole.
The Halogram is back in action
The second option is likely the easiest to pull off, but it doesn't make it any less effective. The assumption is that once Stewart charged the ring with the new Lantern, any trace of Jordan was wiped out completely, including the Halogram. The finale certainly leans into that theory with Jordan's last words, but that doesn't mean it has to stay that way.
Stewart could reactivate the Halogram at some point, and that would let Jordan play a part in the series without undoing his death. It's the most straightforward option and takes the least amount of explanation. It also means you can have the Jordan who actually bonded with Stewart be a factor during the season as opposed to the version that saw Stewart as a threat and resented him.
Welcome Hal Jordan, the new Spectre
The third option is heading into the supernatural side of DC, as it would involve adapting the era of Hal Jordan as the Spectre. In 1999's Day of Judgment series, The Spectre had to choose from three potential hosts to bond with, including Jordan, who had been in Purgatory since giving his life to defeat the Sun Eater. The Spectre chooses Jordan after he shows contrition, and that begins the path towards Green Lantern: Rebirth.
In Lanterns, Jordan had been doing his best to make amends for what happened in Rushville before his death. If Lanterns isn't afraid to get a bit more supernatural, Jordan's soul could find its way to bonding with The Spectre. That would not only bring Jordan back into the fold but also in a much different way, and it opens up a number of intriguing story possibilities for later down the line.
You could tell some interesting stories with Jordan in this form and then set the stage for a full-on return later, either in a potential Lanterns season 3 or a Green Lantern Corps film. Can you imagine seeing Jordan make his return to the living in some epic Avengers: Endgame-style moment on the big screen? The cheers would be incredible, and hopefully fans will get the chance to see that happen at some point in the DCU's future.
Lanterns season 1 is now streaming on HBO Max.
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