Kyle Chandler has been cast as Hal Jordan in HBO’s upcoming DC series Lanterns. The Emmy award-winning actor, known for his role in Friday Night Lights, will take on the iconic character, marking his first series role since 2022’s Super Pumped on Showtime.
Lanterns received a straight-to-series order in June after several years in development. The series is being produced by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Eisner Award-winning writer Tom King, who are all co-writing and executive producing, with Mundy serving as the showrunner.
Currently in the casting phase and seeking directors, the series is set to film in Atlanta from January to June. Lanterns is described as having a gritty atmosphere reminiscent of True Detective, focusing on Jordan as he mentors younger Lantern, John Stewart, one of DC’s first Black superheroes. Together, they will investigate a murder on Earth that has broader implications, with producers looking for a younger actor to complement Chandler’s role.
Initially, DC aimed to cast a high-profile movie star for Jordan’s character, engaging in discussions with Josh Brolin, who ultimately declined the offer. Speculation about other actors like Chris Pine and Ewan McGregor joining the project was deemed not credible.
Chandler is well-remembered for his role as Coach Eric Taylor in Friday Night Lights, which aired on NBC from 2006 to 2011. He gained further recognition with the Netflix thriller Bloodline, earning two Emmy nominations. More recently, he has appeared in films such as Godzilla: King of the Monsters, Godzilla vs. Kong, and Damien Chazelle’s First Man. He is represented by Gersh and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.