In Just Five Seconds, Lanterns’ Kyle Chandler Confirmed He Was the Best Choice for Hal Jordan and the DCU

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Fans are getting a first look at the future of the DC Universe with upcoming projects like Supergirl and Lanterns. Supergirl released a teaser trailer, while Lanterns only shared a short clip. However, even that brief footage—specifically a scene featuring Hal Jordan and John Stewart—has convinced many that Kyle Chandler is perfectly cast as Hal Jordan.

In a scene inside the car, Stewart reveals he feels prepared for the role, but Jordan challenges him, stating he won’t be ready to face the class until the ring deems him so. Jordan then places the ring on the dashboard and abruptly exits the vehicle, immediately putting Stewart under immense pressure. This single scene perfectly demonstrates why Chandler was such a fantastic casting choice for the character of Hal Jordan.

Kyle Chandler Has Already Made Hal Jordan More Likable Without Losing the Edge

Over the years, comic book versions of Jordan have varied depending on the creative team, but a few traits remain fairly constant. He’s usually portrayed as a supremely confident pilot, even if his skills don’t always match that confidence. Sometimes he comes across as simply self-assured, but often, unfortunately, he’s been written as overly arrogant and irritating.

Despite some flaws, Jordan remains highly regarded as one of the greatest Lanterns. However, when he’s arrogant – and he has a track record to support that attitude – he can become unlikeable. Combined with his tendency to take chances, this can make him feel unpredictable and difficult to manage. It’s worth noting that recent comics by Jeremy Adams have improved the character, so these issues are more prominent in older stories.

As a big fan, I’ve been watching the clips, and what really strikes me about this version of Chandler is how comfortable he seems in his own skin. He’s still the experienced, no-nonsense guy we know, but he feels much more relatable and down-to-earth than previous takes on the character. It’s interesting because even when he talks about Stewart being prepared, he doesn’t seem to be giving his own opinion – he’s pointing out that it’s the world of the ring itself that ultimately makes the call.

What struck me most was how surprisingly selfless this felt. Jordan usually feels so wrapped up in his own perspective, but here, he just is. It’s almost comforting, which made what happened next genuinely shocking – him casually placing the ring on the dashboard and just…leaving the car! Honestly, it’s perfectly Jordan, that impulsive leap into the unknown. But that contrast – the easy connection we just saw, then this – that’s what really grabbed me. It’s a tiny moment, but it hints at the wild ride this show is promising.

This is just a first impression, and things could definitely change once we see a complete episode. However, I’m optimistic that if the actor continues to perform as well as he has so far, we’re going to see a fantastic depiction of Hal Jordan on screen.

Lanterns is set to debut on HBO Max sometime in 2026.

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2025-12-13 22:40