James Gunn Teases ‘Lanterns’ Comes Out Near ‘Supergirl’ 2026 Release Date

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As a cinephile with over three decades of comic book movie-watching under my belt, I am beyond thrilled at the prospect of James Gunn‘s DCU bringing Green Lantern to life on screen. The announcement that “Lanterns” will be gracing our screens in 2026 has me buzzing like a power ring!

James Gunn has shared some exciting news regarding the release timeline for Lanterns within the DCU (DC Universe). Over two years since the unveiling of his initial lineup for DCU Chapter 1, “Gods and Monsters,” we are now on the brink of its commencement. The journey begins with the premiere of Creature Commandos on December 5, 2024. This debut will pave the way for numerous other projects such as Superman, season 2 of Peacemaker, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and ultimately, Lanterns.

In an interview with IGN, Gunn disclosed that the series titled “Lanterns” is expected to debut on HBO, roughly coinciding with the cinematic premiere of Supergirl. Initially, he had planned to release it prior to “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” explaining, “It’s essentially Creature Commandos, Superman, Peacemaker, Lanterns, Supergirl, and then some unannounced projects.” When asked if “Lanterns” would come out before Supergirl, he added, “The exact release date is yet to be determined, but they’re slated for around the same time.” This means that while the specific release details are still under wraps, “Lanterns” is scheduled for 2026.

The movie titled “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” is scheduled for release on June 26, 2026. Given that Gunn hinted at a potential April or May release for “Lanterns” if it were to air on HBO before, we might expect “Lanterns” to premiere around this time, perhaps even as early as March for a St. Patrick’s Day tie-in. If “Woman of Tomorrow” comes out first, “Lanterns” could debut in August 2026, leaving about a one-month gap between the film and the series, similar to the release dates of “Superman” (July 11, 2025) and “Peacemaker” Season 2 (August 2025). Gunn has emphasized that only projects with finished scripts are being made, and it appears that “Lanterns” is among those in the select group, along with the previously mentioned titles.

James Gunn’s DCU Is Already Very Connected

It’s implied that the release of Lanterns and Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow suggests there could be connections between these two space-themed DC projects, expanding on what has been established within the DC Universe. James Gunn has mentioned that Creature Commandos will follow directly after Season 1 of Peacemaker, and then Superman will pick up from where Creature Commandos leaves off. Although Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is set in space, Lanterns will bring the story down to Earth to investigate a mystery that could have far-reaching implications for the broader DCU. The upcoming DCU show is being described as a sci-fi adaptation of True Detective, and it’s expected to build on the momentum created by The Penguin, a crime drama set in yet another universe from DC.

The production for the series titled Lanterns will commence in January 2025. An impressive ensemble has been gathered, with Kyle Chandler (known for his role in Friday Night Lights) and Aaron Pierre (from Rebel Ridge) joining as Hal Jordan and John Stewart respectively. The supporting cast boasts the likes of Kelly Macdonald (famous for her work in Trainspotting), Garret Dillahunt (well-known from Raising Hope), and Poorna Jagannathan (recognized in Never Have I Ever). After Green Lantern seemingly being sidelined by Warner Bros. for over a decade following the 2011 film, leaving the character out of the DCEU and facing challenges with the previous Green Lantern HBO series, it’s refreshing to see Lanterns finally gaining momentum within the new DCU.

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2024-11-18 21:31