One of the most anticipated new superhero projects of the summer is DC and HBO’s Lanterns and with the series making its inaugural appearance at San Diego Comic Con, fans got to see a LOT of footage from the upcoming series.
In attendance were creators Damon Lindelof, Tom King and Chris Mundy, alongside series stars Kyle Chandler, Aaron Pierre, Garrett Dillahunt and Poorna Jagannathan. The panel kicked off with a video introduction from DC Studios president James Gunn, who was unable to attend due to filming Superman: Man of Tomorrow, who set up the new trailer for the series, which can be viewed below.
Following the trailer, Mundy discussed the challenges and pressure of the upcoming series, saying, “We wanted to honor the legacy of HBO Sunday night shows and the legacy of Green Lantern.” Lindelof added, “I am always a fan first and we all have that feeling of when a new project is announced, of thinking, this better not suck.”
The panel also showcased numerous clips from the first season, including a moment in which Chandler’s Hal Jordan is interrogating a murder suspect who he believes is really an alien in disguise. Chandler praised the writing of that particular scene, saying that, “Even reading it on the page, it was a joy.” He also dived into his character of Hal, saying, “The fact that he was chosen [by the Green Lantern Corps] gives him some confidence,” adding, “He’s a bit of an idiot so I was halfway in already.”
Pierre, sporting a Green Lantern jacket and shoes, revealed that, “If I had the choice to play any character in the DCU, I’d choose John Stewart every time. My hope is when fans watch it, they feel tangible relatability and they ask where I can get my Green Lantern application.”
Pierre also revealed that during his audition process for the role of John Stewart, he had recently suffered a serious injury to his arm, requiring him to wear a brace. “My agent called and said, you’re in the top two for this role, do you still want to do it? I said, stop asking silly questions!” Pierre performed the role two months after recovering from his injury.
Not long into the panel, a very out of breath Nathan Fillion ran onto the stage, much to the delight of the Comic Con crowd. Fillion said, “I’m kind of a big deal at Comic Con from shows like Castle, The Rookie, Firefly, my face is on the building across the street. I’m legally required to be here.” Fillion then removed his outer shirt, revealing a T shirt underneath reading, “Best Gardner Ever.”
Mundy then dived into other supporting characters from the show, including Dillahunt and Jagannathan, who will be playing a couple in an open marriage, which John gets in the middle of. Mundy also discussed Kelly Macdonald’s character, Sheriff Kerry, who Mundy said, “Is just trying to hold everything together, but she’s continually a step ahead of John and Hal. She’s tough and cool.”
Mundy also teased an as of yet unrevealed character played by Oscar nominee Laura Linney, but would only say that she is playing one of the Guardians. The panel concluded with Chandler, Pierre and Fillion all reciting the iconic Green Lantern oath together, which Pierre filmed on his phone, because, “I’ll probably never get to do this again!”
Lanterns premieres on HBO and HBO Max on August 16.
