(L to R) Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan in ‘Lanterns’. Photo: John P. Johnson/HBO.
Preview:
The first image of HBO series ‘Lanterns’ is online.
This new series adapts the ‘Green Lantern’ DC Comics, but in grounded fashion.
Leads Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler feature in this initial look.
The ‘Green Lantern’ comics are famously the story of a human drawn into a mighty, galaxy-spanning force who use rings with the power to conjure up all manner of creations in their fight for justice.
You might be surprised then, to learn that the latest small screen incarnation of the story has an initial promotional image featuring two men walking down a dusty road somewhere in America.
Yet if you’ve been following the production history of new HBO/DC Studios series ‘Lanterns,’ you probably won’t be shocked, since the show is designed to be a more grounded take on the story.
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Here’s Chris Mundy, executive producer and showrunner on the tone for the show:
“From the start, our driving force has been to deliver a layered drama –– rooted in nuanced storytelling and rich world building –– that balances tension and mystery with honest, authentic emotion. The goal is to create something that feels timeless and grounded without sacrificing the magic of the source material.”
Let’s not also forget that the cameras have only just started rolling on the show, and even if (more likely when) the characters get to use their powers in service of the mystery, those visual effects take time to bring to screen, even for a still image.
What’s the story of ‘Green Lantern’ in comics form?
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps from DC Comics. Photo: DC Comics.
Created in its first incarnation (a Lantern named Alan Scott) in 1940 by Martin Nodell and Bill Finger, the concept of the ‘Green Lantern’ comics is that of a super-powered, police force, battling evil doers with rings that allow them to channel energy into different forms. There are many Lanterns, who patrol the known and unknown universe.
‘Green Lantern’s history on screen has been seriously mixed. Though different takes on the character have flourished in animated movies and series, their live-action counterparts have had less luck. Ryan Reynolds played the Hal Jordan version in a 2011 movie that didn’t triumph at the box office, and there have been fleeting glimpses on the small screen.
Even Zack Snyder didn’t manage to realize his chosen Lantern –– John Stewart –– in his mammoth Snyder Cut of ‘Justice League’. Despite shooting a cameo with Wayne T. Carr as Stewart, Warners asked him to remove the character because of the studio’s own plans. In the end, Snyder swapped in Martian Manhunter.
(Center) James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
And the show had been in development before Gunn and Safran made their big DC Studios announcement. Back in 2020, ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ Seth Grahame-Smith hopped aboard to write and run what HBO Max (as the streaming service was then called) was picturing its most expensive series to date, a space-set ‘Green Lantern’ drama whose focus would be the Alan Scott and Guy Gardner iterations of the character among the first and most popular versions.
‘Lanterns’ will follow the Hal Jordan (Chandler) and John Stewart (Pierre) characters, as new recruit Stewart and Lantern legend Jordan are described in the latest official synopsis as “two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.”
So, think ‘True Detective’ meets ‘Green Lantern’. But comic book fans may recognize the basic story from the popular 1970’s arc ‘Hard Traveling Heroes’, which focused on Hal Jordan and his friend Oliver Queen (Green Arrow) traveling across America . Stewart was also featured in that story, and the producers are likely swapping out Queen for Pierre’s character.
But there will be some powerful antagonism involved, as Ulrich Thomsen is playing Sinestro a former Green Lantern who turned rogue and is described as ruthless yet charming.
His manipulative nature drives his enduring obsession with his former mentee, Hal Jordan. The character was created by John Broome and Gil Kane and first appeared in the comic book “Green Lantern, Volume 2, #56” released in 1961.
DC Comics’ Green Lantern John Stewart. Photo: DC Comics.
Mundy, whose resume includes stints on Netflix’s ‘Ozark’ and HBO’s ‘True Detective: Night Country’, is running the new series, working alongside ‘Watchmen’s Damon Lindelof and DC comics writer Tom King (whose ‘Supergirl’ comic is the basis for the new movie featuring the character).
He’s not alone –– ‘Watchmen’ veteran Stephen Williams, ‘Under the Bridge’s Geeta Vasant Patel, and former ‘Ozark’ director Alik Sakharov are also handling episodes.
Since they oversee the whole DC Studios arm, filmmaker Gunn and producer Peter Safran are executive producers alongside Ron Schmidt.
When will ‘Lanterns’ be on screens?
We’re still waiting to learn when HBO will premiere the show, though it is reportedly targeting an early 2026 launch.
All together now, let us recite the freshly amended Lantern Corps oath… “In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil’s might beware my power…Green Lantern’s light! On Earth. Probably in a diner.”
DC Comics’ Hal Jordan/Green Lantern. Photo courtesy of DC.com.
(L to R) Katy O’Brian and Kristen Stewart in ‘Love Lies Bleeding.’ Photo: A24.
From Director Rose Glass comes an electric new love story; reclusive gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) falls hard for Jackie (Katy O’Brian), an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.
(L to R) Kirsten Dunst and Cailee Spaeny in ‘Civil War.’ Photo: A24.
Directed by Alex Garland, in the near future, a group of war journalists attempt to survive while reporting the truth as the United States stands on the brink of civil war.
Pamela Anderson in ‘The Last Showgirl’. Photo: Roadside Attractions.
Opening in limited release in December 2024 and directed by by Gia Coppola, ‘The Last Showgirl’ stars Pamela Anderson as Shelly, a glamorous showgirl who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run.
Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina in ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, genius artist Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver) seeks to leap the City of New Rome into a utopian, idealistic future, while his opposition, Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), remains committed to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests, and partisan warfare. Torn between them is socialite Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), the mayor’s daughter, whose love for Cesar has divided her loyalties, forcing her to discover what she truly believes humanity deserves.
Directed by Osgood Perkins, in pursuit of a serial killer (Nicolas Cage), an FBI agent (Maika Monroe) uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree.
Directed by George Miller, as the world falls, young Furiosa (Alyla Browne) is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers into the hands of a great biker horde led by the warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). Sweeping through the wasteland, they encounter the citadel presided over by Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme). The two tyrants wage war for dominance, and Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.
Directed by Morgan Neville, ‘Piece By Piece’ is a unique cinematic experience that invites audiences on a vibrant journey through the life of cultural icon Pharrell Williams. Told through the lens of LEGO® animation, turn up the volume on your imagination and witness the evolution of one of music’s most innovative minds.
Directed by Clint Eastwood, while serving as a juror in a high profile murder trial, family man Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult) finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma…one he could use to sway the jury verdict and potentially convict—or free—the accused killer.
After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz (Lupita Nyong’o) is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island’s animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose (Kit Connor).
Paul Mescal plays Lucius in ‘Gladiator II’ from Paramount Pictures.
Directed by Ridley Scott, years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus (Russell Crowe) at the hands of his uncle (Joaquin Phoenix), Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger) who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.
Directed by Coralie Fargeat, a fading celebrity (Demi Moore) decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself (Margaret Qualley).
Directed by Jeremy Saulnier, a former Marine (Aaron Pierce) confronts corruption in a small town when local law enforcement unjustly seizes the bag of cash he needs to post his cousin’s bail.
Zoe Saldaña as Emilia Pérez in ‘Emilia Pérez’. Photo: Netflix.
Directed by Jacques Audiard, Rita (Zoe Saldaña), an underrated lawyer working for a large law firm more interested in getting criminals out of jail than bringing them to justice, is hired by the leader of a criminal organization.
Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.
(L to R) Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), Jane Curtain (Kim Matula), Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman), Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris), Alan Zweibel (Josh Brener) and Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) in ‘Saturday Night’. Photo: Sony Pictures.
Directed by Jason Reitman, at 11:30pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. This is the story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of ‘Saturday Night Live‘.
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, ‘Challengers’ stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.
(L to R) Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard), Hank Hanson (Corey Johnson), Jacques Lesgardes (Zinedine Soualem), Geoff Mason (John Magaro), Carter (Marcus Rutherford), Gladys Deist (Georgina Rich), Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin), Marianne Gebhard (Leonie Benesch) star in Paramount Pictures’ ‘September 5’ the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Directed by Tim Fehlbaum, during the 1972 Munich Olympics, an American broadcasting team is thrust from covering sports to reporting a dramatic hostage situation involving Israeli athletes. A young producer (John Magaro), unexpectedly leading the live broadcast, faces difficult decisions as time runs out, rumors spread, and the hostages’ lives hang in the balance.
Jude Law in ‘The Order’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
Directed by Justin Kurzel, an alarming surge in violent bombings and bank robberies in the Pacific Northwest leads a weathered FBI agent (Jude Law) into a deadly cat-and-mouse game with a charismatic domestic terrorist (Nicholas Hoult) plotting to overthrow the US government.
(L to R) Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba and Ariana Grande is Glinda in ‘Wicked’, directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, in the land of Oz, ostracized and misunderstood green-skinned Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is forced to share a room with the popular aristocrat Glinda (Ariana Grande) at Shiz University, and the two’s unlikely friendship is tested as they begin to fulfill their respective destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
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Directed by Denis Villeneuve, follow the mythic journey of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he unites with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, Paul endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
Directed by James Mangold, set in the influential New York music scene of the early 60s, ‘A Complete Unknown’ follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan‘s (Timothée Chalamet) meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts – his songs and mystique becoming a worldwide sensation – culminating in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.
(L to R) Mikey Madison as Ani and Mark Eydelshteyn as Ivan in ‘Anora’. Photo: Courtesy of NEON.
Sean Baker‘s Palme d’Or winner ‘Anora’ is an audacious, thrilling, and comedic variation on a modern day Cinderella story. Mikey Madison captivates as Ani, a young sex worker from Brooklyn whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets and impulsively marries Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), the impetuous son of a Russian billionaire. However, when Vanya’s parents catch wind of the union, they send their henchmen to annul the marriage, setting off a wild chase through the streets of New York.
Aaron Pierre is joining the DC Studios TV series ‘Lanterns.’
The show adapts the ‘Green Lantern’ comics.
Damon Lindelof and Chris Mundy are among the producers of the new show.
The details are truly falling into place for DC Studios/HBO’s ‘Green Lanterns’ comics-based TV series ‘Lanterns.’
We learned last month that Kyle Chandler had entered talks to play one of the key lead roles, Lantern Corps member Hal Jordan, and he’s now signed a deal to star.
Casting his co-star came down to final decision between Stephan James (‘Race’) and Aaron Pierre, who recently showed his bad-ass side in ‘Rebel Ridge’ on Netflix. And now we know that Pierre has won the role of John Stewart, Jordan’s fellow corpsman.
It’s a much-anticipated role, since Pierre will be playing a character based on one of the States’ first black superheroes, and the show itself is a key part of DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran’s strategy going forward.
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What’s the story of ‘Green Lantern’ in comics form?
DC Comics’ Green Lantern John Stewart. Photo: DC Comics.
Created in its first incarnation (a Lantern named Alan Scott) in 1940 by Martin Nodell and Bill Finger, the concept of the ‘Green Lantern’ comics is that of a super-powered, police force, battling evil doers with rings that allow them to channel energy into different forms. There are many Lanterns, who patrol the known and unknown universe.
‘Green Lantern’s history on screen has been seriously mixed. Though different takes on the character have flourished in animated movies and series, their live-action counterparts have had less luck. Ryan Reynolds played the Hal Jordan version in a 2011 movie that didn’t triumph at the box office, and there have been fleeting glimpses on the small screen.
Even Zack Snyder didn’t manage to realize his chosen Lantern –– John Stewart –– in his mammoth Snyder Cut of ‘Justice League’. Despite shooting a cameo with Wayne T. Carr as Stewart, Warners asked him to remove the character because of the studio’s own plans. In the end, Snyder swapped in Martian Manhunter.
Gunn has Nathan Fillion playing the Guy Gardner incarnation in his ‘Superman’ movie, which lands on July 11th next year.
(Center) James Gunn and the cast of ‘Superman.’ Photo: James Gunn’s Instagram Account.
And the show had been in development before Gunn and Safran made their big announcement. Back in 2020, ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ Seth Grahame-Smith hopped aboard to write and run what HBO Max (as the streaming service was then called) was picturing its most expensive series to date, a space-set ‘Green Lantern’ drama whose focus would be the Alan Scott and Guy Gardner iterations of the character among the first and most popular versions.
‘Lanterns’ will follow the Hal Jordan and John Stewart characters, as new recruit Stewart and Lantern legend Jordan are described in the latest official synopsis as “two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.” So, think ‘True Detective’ meets ‘Green Lantern’…
Jodie Foster in HBO’s ‘True Detective: Night Country.’ Photo: Michele K. Short/HBO.
Chris Mundy, whose resume includes stints on Netflix’s ‘Ozark’ and HBO’s ‘True Detective: Night Country’, is showrunner on the new series, working alongside ‘Watchmen’s Damon Lindelof and DC comics writer Tom King (whose ‘Supergirl’ comic is the basis for the new movie featuring the character).
On Netflix on September 6th, ‘Rebel Ridge’ is the latest thriller from writer/director Jeremy Saulnier and focuses on a man with a particular set of skills who takes on some dangerous people with a righteous cause.
It’s a genre that has been tackled before, but Saulnier brings his own spin to it, with crackling dialogue and a superb central performance from ‘The Underground Railroad’s Aaron Pierre, backed by sterling support from Don Johnson.
If you’re a fan of Saulnier’s previous work such as ‘Green Room’ and ‘Blue Ruin,’ you might be surprised that ‘Rebel Ridge’ actually dials down the violence and intensity (but only by a certain degree) yet it still absolutely works on its own terms.
In tackling the sort of territory seen in ‘Walking Tall’ and even ‘Taken’, Saulnier finds a way to do it with smarts and some memorable dialogue, while employing his leading man in a role that should surely have other directors (and even a comic book franchise or two) calling.
Saulnier knows how to make compelling movies that –– especially in the case of ‘Green Room’ –– also have you watching through your fingers at times. ‘Rebel Ridge’ doesn’t aspire to that, but it has its own charms. In his script for the new project, he’s crafted some truly superb conversations, but also doesn’t skimp when it comes time for things to throw down.
You’ll get plenty of pleasure just hearing the talented cast chew through the dialogue, military acronyms and all. It’s what keeps ‘Rebel Ridge’ above the quality level of straight-to-home entertainment movie that loves to exploit this genre.
Directorially, Saulnier brings his usual realistic style, eschewing too much showiness, but still keeping visual interest with the lush/grungy Louisiana backdrop (standing in for small towns where the sort of corruption found in the film is rife). And he’s certainly found a way to bring out the best in the entire cast, not just Pierre and Johnson.
Performances
While Aaron Pierre, Don Johnson and AnnaSophia Robb take the lion’s share of the credit here, the cast is filled with character types giving their all.
Pierre has offered some great performances already in his fledgling career, and it’s not hard to see why directors such as Barry Jenkins are looking to work with him on multiple occasions. And Terry Richmond might be among his best, a human hard man who prefers to use his words but has no problem letting his actions speak for him when he’s pushed to it.
Richmond is a buttoned-down character by nature (a Marine with some clearly morally gray background), but he makes him come alive in a way that is entirely believable. And when it’s time to throw down, Pierre –– and the stunt team –– is more than up to the task.
A tough-talking, oft-spitting police chief whose down-home charisma hides racist attitudes and criminal behavior, Johnson’s Chief Burnne could have been a complete cliché. But in Saulnier and the actor’s hands, he’s so much more than that, and scenes where Johnson and Pierre go toe-to-toe verbally are always great.
In other hands, Summer could have been a throwaway, underwritten female sidekick/victim role. But while she sometimes flirts with those labels, Saulnier has added plenty of depth to the character, who has her own tough background and issues that she must overcome to aid in Richmond’s mission.
She’s far from a random screaming love interest (the pair shares a strictly platonic relationship) and is a fully rounded character.
Cromwell’s role is smaller by design, but he’s still a memorable part of the movie. Playing the town’s judge who is involved in some of its dodgier dealings, the actor brings depth and tragedy to the role, and even though he only has a couple of scenes, he makes a mark.
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Supporting cast
The ensemble is filled with people who know how to do a lot with smaller character roles, such as Steve Zissis and David Denman (as a down-at-heel court clerk and a local cop who has more integrity than it might initially appear), and Saulnier has chosen wisely for pretty much every part. Emory Cohen is great as one of his colleagues, who deploys casual racism, while Daniel Chung, Dana Lee and Zsane Jhe all get their moments in the cinematic sun.
This represents a shift in gear from Saulnier, but it’s also up there with some of his best films. It might at first appear like the sort of movie you’ve seen before, but ‘Rebel Ridge’ is certainly more memorable than a hundred pumped-out thrillers.
With its fascinating protagonist and its excellent cadre of realistic villains, ‘Rebel Ridge’ is more than worth your time.
‘Rebel Ridge’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.
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What is the plot of ‘Rebel Ridge’?
In the town of Shelby Springs, Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) has come to post bail for his cousin, but his savings are unjustly seized by a corrupt local police force led by Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson). With the help of court clerk Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb), Terry unearths a widespread conspiracy within Shelby Springs and uses his set of “skills” to get the bail money back by any means necessary.
Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with legendary actor Don Johnson about his work on ‘Rebel Ridge’, his first reaction to the screenplay, his character, playing the villain, working with actor Aaron Pierre and collaborating on the set with director Jeremy Saulnier.
You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Johnson, Aaron Pierre and AnnaSophia Robb.
Moviefone: To begin with, what was your first reaction to reading the screenplay and why did you want to be a part of this project?
Don Johnson: My first reaction was that I had the opportunity to work with the great Jeremy Saulnier, and then when I read the material. I was at once excited and a touch trepidatious, only because I wanted to make sure that the first part of the movie didn’t become what the movie was about, an old familiar trope. I was so pleasantly pleased to see that it was not that, but it was a very clever way of using something where you think you know, and then suddenly, something starts, and you don’t know. But now you’re learning and now you’re wrapped up in it and now you’re rolling, and you’re into this world where you go, “Wow, this is in America?” So, I was thrilled with that. I was just thrilled with the opportunity to get to play that part and to work with Jeremy.
MF: How would you describe your character in your own words and is it fun playing a villain?
DJ: Would you say Robin Hood was a villain? I don’t know. All my characters are good guys. He’s a no-nonsense guy, Sheriff Sandy Burnne, and he’s been given a responsibility, and he’s managing that responsibility the only way he knows how.
MF: Can you talk about the conflict between Chief Burnne and Terry Richmond and what it was like working with actor Aaron Pierre?
DJ: Well, in the Sheriff’s mind, there was no conflict. This is just business as usual. It only becomes a conflict when this very mysterious big guy (arrives). He’s 6’4″ and ripped. If I was to tell the truth, he might be able to kick my ass if I couldn’t find something to hit him with. I loved working with Aaron because he’s a wonderful actor, wonderful actor, and we have similar sensibilities about how we approach our work. It was very easy for Jeremy and Aaron and I to find a tone that we wanted and to commit to it. It’s a hell of a commitment because if you miss, you miss badly. But if you hit it, you get ‘Rebel Ridge’.
MF: Finally, what was it like collaborating on the set with director Jeremy Saulnier?
DJ: You’re asking a mixed bag of emotions. We’re not going to go on a cruise together, but we worked together very well as director and actor. But when you’re in a collaborative relationship with somebody, and I love Jeremy, and I think he’d say the same thing about me, you lock horns and you argue and battle about stuff, and that’s when you know somebody is invested in the stuff. You don’t want a director who’s going to just yes you to death. You want somebody to say, “I don’t know that I see it that way. Let’s talk about that.” And we did. Unlike a lot of conversations with directors, I think we found the right tone together throughout.
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What is the plot of ‘Rebel Ridge’?
In the town of Shelby Springs, Terry Richmond (Aaron Pierre) has come to post bail for his cousin, but his savings are unjustly seized by a corrupt local police force led by Chief Sandy Burnne (Don Johnson). With the help of court clerk Summer McBride (AnnaSophia Robb), Terry unearths a widespread conspiracy within Shelby Springs and uses his set of “skills” to get the bail money back by any means necessary.
