Lanterns Trailer: Sinestro, Manhunters & 10 Other DCU Reveals

DC Studios has released a brand-new trailer for Lanterns at San Diego Comic-Con, featuring all kinds of exciting DCU reveals. While the series will begin as a more grounded crime drama, this new trailer has confirmed that the stakes will no doubt expand and become far more cosmic in nature. Featuring major alien conspiracies, other planets, and some very exciting faces from the comics, the hype for Lanterns just got a lot bigger.

Without a doubt, the new Lanterns trailer released at SDCC gives us our clearest look yet at how James Gunn's DC Universe plans to handle the Green Lantern Corps and two of its most important members. Keeping that in mind, here are the top 10 biggest moments and reveals from DC Studios' newest Lanterns trailer, set to premiere on HBO Max next month.

Plenty Of Green Constructs

Unlike the first Lanterns trailer, which received some criticism for the apparent lack of green in a show about Green Lanterns, this new SDCC trailer is very much a redemption, as there are impressive green constructs all over the place.

Not only do we see John Stewart inadvertently create a green bird while attempting to fly for the first time, but we also see the more experienced Hal Jordan taking flight, creating shields, firing green energy blasts, creating a giant construct of a drill, and even a bottle opener, confirming that the limitless creativity and green power of a Green Lantern will be front and center in the upcoming DCU series.

“The Backup Quarterback”

John Stewart with Hal Jordan Driving in Lanterns SDCC Trailer

During a conversation between John Stewart and a woman at a local bar, she jokingly calls John "the backup quarterback." As such, it's a pretty apt description of John Stewart's original role in the comics when he was first recruited as a reserve Lantern in case Hal was ever compromised and/or put out of commission. The same looks to be true in the DCU as well, though Aaron Pierre's Stewart clearly intends to step up and replace Jordan one day.

Alien Victims

Hal Jordan uses his green lantern ring in Lanterns

The central mystery also becomes much clearer in the new SDCC footage, with Hal Jordan suspecting that several of the murder victims they're looking into aren't actually human but in fact alien. As such, this immediately helps explain why two intergalactic space cops have been sent to investigate a homicide in the American heartland, acting as interplanetary law enforcement responding to what is likely a pretty major cosmic threat hiding in plain sight, hence the show's more grounded nature and comparisons to True Detective (at least at the onset).

Manhunters (But Which Kind?)

The trailer also confirms the existence of the Manhunters, one of the most dangerous threats in the DC Universe, though exactly which version remains unclear.

Described as powerful shapeshifters capable of taking the form of any species, the strong implication is that these Manhunters will be of the Martian variety. In the comics, there are Green Martians like the Justice League's J'onn J'onzz aka Martian Manhunter. There are also the more hostile White Martians who could very well be a fascinating live-action threat in the upcoming DCU series. Combined with a brief shot of a Manhunter from behind and scenes that appear to see Hal and John investigating another world that could very well be Mars, this feels like the most likely explanation.

However, there is another possibility worth noting. The comics also have the robotic A.I. Manhunters, who were the Guardians of Oa's original police force before the Green Lantern Corps replaced them. Turning against their creators and going rogue, the robots came to believe that sentient life was the root of all chaos and disorder. As such, it's at least possible that Lanterns may feature both versions as a part of a major conspiracy.

Laura Linney – Guardian of Oa?

Laura Linney's mystery character in Lanterns continues to generate theories about who she's playing.

The new SDCC trailer sees her speaking with surprising formal familiarity about both John Stewart and the Green Lantern Corps, suggesting she's far more knowledgeable than an ordinary human might be, leading many fans to speculate that she might secretly be one of the Guardians of Oa taking on a human form while on Earth. Then again, now that we know shapeshifting Manhunters are involved, she could just as easily be one of them, or perhaps even J'onn J'onzz himself hiding in plain sight.

Sinestro

The new DSCC Lanterns trailer finally reveals what Sinestro looks like in the DCU. Rather than being an active villain wielding the yellow power of fear, Thaal Sinestro looks to be imprisoned on an alien world when Hal Jordan comes to visit him. As such, one has to wonder what their relationship is like and why Hal believes his former mentor can help. Additionally, Sinestro is the perfect person to speak with Hal about his concerns/fears about being replaced by Stewart, as Hal was trained by Sinestro himself before he turned on the Green Lanterns.

It stands to reason that Sinestro likely possesses some information about the conspiracy unfolding on Earth, perhaps about the Manhunters. Whether he ultimately becomes a temporary ally, manipulator, or outright antagonist remains one of the series' biggest mysteries. One can only hope a breakout is in his future, so we can finally see a live-action Sinestro in all his fearsome glory.

Other Planets In The DCU

Hal Jordan and John Stewart on Alien Planet in Lanterns SDCC Trailer

Although Lanterns is set to begin with a murder investigation in rural America, this new trailer proves the story won't remain grounded for long. At least two extraterrestrial worlds appear throughout the footage: wherever Sinestro is imprisoned and what strongly resembles Mars, continuing to embrace the cosmic side of James Gunn's new DC Universe after Supergirl.

Guy Gardner

Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner confirmed appearance in Lanterns is finally teased in this new trailer following his debut in 2025's Superman and subsequent role in Peacemaker season 2. While brief, Guy gives Hal Jordan a warning in the new footage, claiming that some unnamed threat is prepared to send an entire army to take Jordan down. It will be very interesting to see how involved Guy Gardner will be in this new series, especially if his fellow Lanterns are in danger.

The End of Hal Jordan?

Hal Jordan Worried in Lanterns SDCC Trailer

Keeping Guy's warnings and Hal's concerns about John's true role in mind, the trailer carries the strong implication that Hal Jordan's days as a Green Lantern are numbered. All things considered, it feels very possible that he won't survive the series' end, and that John Stewart will fully take over in the aftermath. While it could just be retirement, the alternate could be far darker and more permanent.

The Green Lantern Oath

John Stewart Using Power Battery in Lanterns SDCC Trailer

The trailer closes with one of the most satisfying moments for longtime fans, with Hal Jordan reciting the classic Green Lantern oath used to recharge power rings from the comics:

"In brightest day, in blackest night, no evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil's might, beware my power, Green Lantern's light!"

The oath has been part of Green Lantern mythology for decades, and hearing it on-screen in the DCU feels like an exciting promise that the Green Lanterns will be adapted faithfully for this brand-new universe. Here's hoping Lanterns becomes the definitive live-action Green Lantern adaptation fans have been waiting years to see.

DC Studios' Lanterns premieres August 16th on HBO Max.