James Gunn’snew DC Universe is rapidly taking shape, and while all eyes are onSupermanas the launchpad for this ambitious reboot,Lanternsis quietly becoming just as crucial. The HBO Max original series is the first live-action show set in the rebooted DCU and aims to reintroduce Green Lantern mythology in a grounded, serialized format. And now, straight out of San Diego Comic-Con 2025,Lanternsjust dropped some new intel — but duringSteve Weintraub’s conversation with the star and showrunner ofThe Rookie.
Nathan Fillionis everywhere in the DCU — literally. After debuting as Guy Gardner inSuperman, he’ll pop up again inPeacemakerSeason 2 and later take center stage inLanterns, the mystery series that’s shaping up to be one of the most unique projects in Gunn’s slate. And if you think Green Lanterns can’t swear, you’re in for a surprise.
Fillion joinedThe Rookie’s showrunner,Alexi Hawley, to teaseLanterns, confirming that his take on the iconic Green Lantern is — in his own words —a lot. “There’s cursing. So when I went and didThe Recruitfor Alexi, my character got to curse a lot, and I thought it was very freeing. It’s very nice. I thought, “Oh, my God, I dropped a couple F-bombs and said some bad words in here. It looks like you can do that on Netflix.” And then I went toLanternsagain, thanks to Alexi, because he gave me the time and the ability to go out and do other projects. And, I dropped more F-bombs than I have, I think, in my entire career put together in one scene ofLanterns,“Fillion told Collider’sWeintraub.
According to Hawley, Fillion really lets loose in the show — which is fitting, considering how he describes Guy Gardner: “I think everybody hates Guy Gardner prettyconsistently,” Fillion said with a laugh. “He’s unlikable and he doesn’t mind.He’s okay with that. I think he’s a very defensive guy. He’s a guy with a chip on his shoulder. He doesn’t want anybody close to him, but he also doesn’t care what anybody thinks. That’s a hard guy to get close to. Like he’s brain damaged, you know?”
It’s a big shift from the heroic characters Fillion usually plays, and he’s enjoying every second of it: “Usually I’m the hero kind of guy. It’s very freeing to play that kind of stuff… these more unlikable roles.”
‘Lanterns’ Is “A Really Well-Written, Really Fun Show”
No major hiccups have slowed the long-anticipated series, which is deep into production.LanternsstarsKyle Chandler(Friday Night Lights) as veteran Lantern Hal Jordan andAaron Pierre(Rebel Ridge) as rising rookie John Stewart. Together, they’re tasked with investigating a deadly conspiracy rooted on Earth — a storyline described as having echoes ofTrue Detective, but with a cosmic twist.
ActorJason Ritter, who plays Billy Macon,recently told Forbesthat the series is past the halfway mark on filming Season 1. According to Ritter:
“We’ve shot 4 episodes so far, & we’re about to start shooting episodes 3 & 4. We’re doing it all a little out of order — it’s been so fun & it’s a really well-written, really fun show.”
That momentum is promising, especially asLanternsbalances its gritty tone with the world-building demands of the broader DCU. The series is being helmed byChris Mundy(Ozark,True Detective) as showrunner, with episodes directed byJames Hawes,Stephen Williams, andGeeta Vasant Patel. Hawes, who is directing the premiere, previously teased:
“It looks and feels rooted. You meet two guys [Chandler and Pierre], but there is wit and comedy to it that you would not expect inTrue Detective. It is, in many ways, a buddy cop structure with travel in the story time, to and fro, that is really sophisticated.”
In addition to Chandler, Pierre, and Ritter, the cast also includesUlrich Thomsenas Sinestro,Kelly Macdonaldas Kerry,Garret Dillahuntas William Macon, andPoorna Jagannathanin an undisclosed role.
