James Gunn Debunks “Leaked” Lanterns Images (& We’re Disappointed)

by

As a huge DC fan, I’m really hyped about everything coming out of the new DC Universe, but I’m especially excited for the Lanterns series! It sounds amazing – think True Detective, but with Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart. After the 2011 Green Lantern movie didn’t quite hit the mark, we’re all desperate to see these characters get the spotlight they deserve. Because of all the anticipation, everyone’s searching online for any news about the show, but we need to be careful about what we click on!

James Gunn confirmed on Threads that two images claiming to be from the upcoming Lanterns series were actually created using artificial intelligence. He responded directly to a fan who asked about their authenticity. You can see a screenshot of their conversation below.

DC Fans Need To Be Careful Until a Lanterns Trailer Is Officially Released

The DC Universe isn’t the only comic book world facing issues with fake information created by AI. Recently, phony set photos from the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday movie spread online, showing how hard it is for fans to know what’s real unless it comes directly from official sources. It’s frustrating that this keeps happening – nobody wants to be fooled by AI-generated images – but it’s a reality of today’s world. Anyone can create incredibly realistic images using AI software and pretend they’re real, so fans should be careful, learn how to spot AI-generated content, and stick to official accounts from people working on the projects.

Even though the show Lanterns won’t be out until late summer 2026, it’s understandable why fans were eager for a preview after HBO Max showed some footage. Those who couldn’t attend the presentation were hoping the clips would appear online. Recently, AI-generated images claiming to be from the show circulated, complete with visual effects showing off the ring’s powers. They looked convincing at first – capturing the same feel as True Detective that Lanterns is aiming for – so it’s good that James Gunn stepped in to clarify what’s real and what isn’t for interested viewers.

Don’t expect to see much about the Lanterns marketing campaign anytime soon. The show’s premiere has been delayed from early to late summer 2026, so there’s no rush to release trailers or promotional materials. Because Lanterns is streaming on HBO Max, there’s no box office pressure like with big movies. Unlike those films, which often get teasers a year ahead of time, HBO and DC Studios can afford to wait until closer to the release date to start promoting the show. We might see a quick clip in an HBO preview reel for 2026, but a full trailer likely won’t arrive until at least spring. For reference, the first footage from Peacemaker Season 2 came out in May 2025, just three months before it premiered.

Fans are understandably eager for a glimpse of the Lanterns series, and while it may be a while before more details are revealed (aside from the existing photo of Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler), the wait should be worthwhile. The delay in the release date gives the creative team extra time to perfect the visual effects, ensuring the first footage makes a strong impact. This show will be a key part of the developing DC Universe, so it’s best to be patient.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/feature/this-villain-is-perfect-for-the-dcus-thanos-and-im-convinced-2026-will-be-setting-him-up/embed/#

Read More

2025-11-26 23:10