Kyle Chandler Joins Cast of Green Lantern Series for HBO

The entertainment industry is abuzz as actor Kyle Chandler, an Emmy Award winner, has been officially cast in a new high-profile HBO series based on the Green Lantern comic. As reported by Deadline, Chandler had been in negotiations to play the iconic character Hal Jordan, previously portrayed by Ryan Reynolds in the 2011 feature film. Alongside Chandler, Aaron Pierre will take on the role of John Stewart, another prominent figure in the Green Lantern universe.

The series, titled “Lanterns,” is set to span eight episodes and will be produced by HBO in collaboration with Warner Bros Television and DC Studios. Chris Mundy, known for his work on “Ozark,” serves as the showrunner, working alongside Damon Lindelof of “Watchmen” fame, and comic book writer Tom King. This dynamic trio will be co-writing and executive producing the series.

James Hawes is expected to direct the first two episodes and will also join as an executive producer. The storyline follows Pierre’s John Stewart and Chandler’s Hal Jordan as “intergalactic cops” who are pulled into a dark, Earth-based mystery centered around a murder investigation in the American heartland.

Kyle Chandler, celebrated for his role on “Friday Night Lights” and other notable projects like “Bloodline” and “Catch-22,” is represented by Gersh and Brillstein Entertainment Partners. According to Chandler’s representatives, the actor is excited to explore the complex character of Hal Jordan, bringing “depth and intrigue” to the role.

Meanwhile, industry veteran Josh Brolin, who had initially been speculated to lead the series, confirmed in an interview with ComicBook that he would not be taking on the role of Hal Jordan. “You know what? Green Lantern didn’t work out, but that’s okay,” Brolin stated. “It’s working out. Who is it going to be, Kyle Chandler? I love him as an actor, I think he’s wonderful, actually.”

The show’s murder mystery angle, reportedly leaning more towards a “True Detective” style rather than typical superhero narratives, has heightened expectations. “We are thrilled to bring this seminal DC title to HBO with Chris, Damon, and Tom at the helm,” DC Studios co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran noted in a statement. They added that “Lanterns” will “bring life to John Stewart and Hal Jordan in an original detective story.”

Set to premiere next summer, “Lanterns” is part of an exciting new era for the DC Universe on screen, with further projects, including a new Superman series, on the horizon.