An upcoming science fiction thriller on HBO Max is set to completely change the rules of murder mysteries, and it could redefine the superhero genre as well. The next live-action television show in James Gunn’s DCU is, unsurprisingly, a story about superheroes. What makes it more interesting is that it’s not primarily a superhero story, it’s actually closer to a crime thriller and a murder mystery.
That show is Lanterns, which follows two characters who have taken on the mantle of Green Lantern, Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and John Stewart (Aaron Pierre). The upcoming DCU series, however, doesn’t feature Hal and John in any outlandish science fiction scenarios. Instead, Lanterns takes place primarily on Earth, and it seems to be leaning much more into the murder mystery genre than the superhero one.
The DCU’s Lanterns Is A Murder Mystery With A Sci-Fi Twist
When Lanterns was first announced, James Gunn described the series by comparing it to another HBO drama, True Detective. The first trailer for Lanterns indicated that Gunn was right, and that the series was taking a much more grounded approach to its story than many fans expected. The logline for the show, as well, confirmed that Hal Jordan and John Stewart are involved in a “dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.”
However, by nature of following two Green Lanterns, Lanterns will be anything but a typical murder mystery. Lanterns has a sci-fi twist built into it: the show’s “detectives” are actually intergalactic lawkeepers who wield a ring that can construct anything out of pure energy and green light. The show may be inspired by True Detective, but Rust and Marty weren’t able to fly or create a giant fist with a high-tech ring.
Lanterns‘ central mystery will likely also have a sci-fi tilt to it. We don’t know much about the series or its mystery yet, but it wouldn’t make sense for Hal and John to be investigating a normal murder. While that could well mean that the murder is part of a larger conspiracy only they can solve, it could also mean that extraterrestrial forces are at play. Just because the Green Lanterns aren’t going to space doesn’t mean the aliens can’t come to them.
We don’t know what to expect from Lanterns and its science fiction angle, which is exactly why it’s perfectly poised to rewrite the rules of murder mysteries. Hal and John are acting outside the rules of normal humans. They have knowledge of countless species and planets. The murderer could literally be anyone, from a human to an intergalactic embodiment of emotion. Literally anything could happen in Lanterns, and it could change the genre forever.
Green Lantern Was A Divisive Choice For A Grounded Murder Mystery
As interesting as it will be for Lanterns to explore the murder mystery genre through a sci-fi lens, it’s still a bit odd that James Gunn chose Green Lantern to lead a True Detective style show. Green Lantern, as a hero, is deeply rooted in outlandish science fiction. The character constantly goes into space, constantly deals with aliens, and constantly defends Earth from intergalactic threats. Lanterns, however, is stripping all that sci-fi away in favor of a more grounded and realistic story.
That’s an unusual decision for a Green Lantern story, and it’s also proven to be a divisive one. Several fans and even Green Lantern writer Grant Morrison have voiced complaints about Lanterns and its gritty tone. Everything from the muted tones of the suit to the lack of space travel and alien life has drawn criticism. Many fans were expecting more of a space opera out of the first live-action Green Lantern show, and Lanterns isn’t delivering that.
DC’s Superior Green Lantern TV Show Was Not Afraid Of Going Into Space
The upcoming Green Lantern series Lanterns will primarily take place on Earth, but the character’s best show didn’t shy away from space travel.
Another reason Green Lantern was such an odd character to base a gritty murder mystery show around is that DC has a much more fitting hero ready to go. The Question is perfectly designed for this type of series. He’s a detective, he doesn’t have the same interstellar expectations that come along with Green Lanterns, and James Gunn loves focusing on more niche characters. The Question, by virtue of being in the DC universe, also could have brought along the same sci-fi angle that Green Lantern did.
While it is a bit surprising that a character like Green Lantern was chosen for a murder mystery story, I’m still confident Lanterns will be a success. The premise of a murder mystery where literally anything can happen thanks to its sci-fi twist is just too good to pass up. I’m also confident that Chris Lundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King can do the character justice. Even with all the division surrounding it, Lanterns is still an exciting show.
- Release Date
-
August, 2026
- Network
-
HBO
- Showrunner
-
Chris Mundy
-
Aaron Pierre
John Stewart
-
-
-
Kelly Macdonald
Sheriff Kerry