Lanterns Trailer Features Plenty of F-Bombs But 0 Green Lanterns

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The trailer for the new series Lanterns has received a lot of negative feedback from fans. Many were hoping for a large-scale, space-based superhero story based on the famous Green Lantern mythology. However, the trailer shows something quite different: a gritty, realistic crime drama with strong language, centering around two characters bickering in the desert.

The new HBO series features Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, both iconic Green Lanterns from DC Comics. Like in the comics and animated shows, these characters use powerful rings to build energy-based creations, battle alien enemies, and work as part of the Green Lantern Corps throughout the galaxy.

None of that appears in the trailer.

The film largely follows Jordan and Stewart as they travel through the desert and look into a possible murder in the Nebraska countryside. It feels much more like a detective story than a superhero movie.

For many longtime fans, that shift in focus has been a major point of frustration.

Fans Question the Tone of the Lanterns Trailer

A frequent criticism of the Lanterns trailer is that it seems to be missing the things fans expect from the series.

Lanterns trailer….

I’m not mad about the lack of colors.

I’m not mad about the suit.

I’m not even mad about Stewart being the star.

I’m frustrated that the trailer is full of profanity and seems like a poorly made imitation of a Tyler Sheridan film, and my kids can’t even watch it.

This isn’t for kids

— EFFING HOJO! (@HWDesper) March 5, 2026

Green Lantern is known for its incredible and creative visuals in the DC universe. The power comes from special rings that let users create almost anything they can imagine. The Green Lantern Corps acts as a galactic police force, patrolling the entire universe, and stories often feature alien planets, huge space fights, and dazzling energy displays.

The trailer shows none of that.

There are no alien worlds. No massive constructs. No Green Lantern uniforms in action.

I used to love reading Green Lantern comics as a kid, and I always hoped they’d eventually show two characters just casually driving around in a car. It was a silly little thing I wanted to see! 😭🥲

— Heavy Spoilers (@heavyspoilers) March 4, 2026

The video mainly shows conversations between Hal Jordan and John Stewart, with very little action happening.

Many fans are puzzled why the Green Lantern series doesn’t include the exciting, large-scale space adventures that are central to what makes these characters special.

Hal Jordan and John Stewart’s Dynamic Raises Eyebrows

Some viewers are also unhappy with how the trailer shows the connection between the characters Hal Jordan and John Stewart.

I’ve been watching the scenes between Stewart and Jordan, and it’s honestly surprising. It doesn’t feel like the usual respectful mentor-protégé relationship you’d expect. Instead, Stewart is constantly challenging Jordan, almost aggressively. He really pushes back on Hal’s leadership and openly wonders if he’s still the right person to be Earth’s Green Lantern. It’s a really interesting dynamic, and definitely not what I anticipated!

For many fans, the tone comes across less like a partnership and more like a prolonged argument.

As a film buff, I’ve been following the buzz around this new series, and one thing’s for sure: everyone’s talking about the intense relationship between these two characters. The trailer really highlighted that tension, and it’s already got people speculating about how it’ll all play out. Of course, the final series might surprise us, but that dynamic is definitely the hot topic right now.

Profanity Signals a Shift Away From Family Audiences

Another major source of criticism involves the show’s tone and language.

The trailer for Lanterns includes several instances of strong language, specifically the f-word. Although mature language is appearing more often in superhero shows overseen by James Gunn, this feels different. Green Lantern has historically been a character geared towards families and wider audiences, making the use of such strong language a notable choice.

The contrast is especially notable when compared to other recent DC projects.

Shows like Peacemaker used a lot of adult humor and violence, but most people weren’t familiar with the character before the series came out. Green Lantern, however, is a well-known, major hero from the Justice League.

Some viewers disliked the trailer’s strong language, believing it suggests the show is aimed at adults and not at families who enjoyed the character’s earlier appearances in comics, cartoons, and movies.

A Green Lantern Story Without the Green Lanterns?

The main issue people have with the Lanterns trailer might be that it doesn’t really capture the feel of a Green Lantern story.

Rather than epic space journeys or fantastical stories about magical rings, the trailer shows a realistic mystery following two men on a road trip through the American Midwest.

The project could still work if people connect with the story and acting. But, the initial previews have confused many, as they seem to be presenting a grand, space-based series as a deliberate, slow-paced detective story.

Considering the property is based on one of DC’s most creatively designed heroes, fans were hoping for something a bit more extraordinary.

After seeing the trailer for the Lanterns series, a lot of people think DC might have made Green Lantern feel too realistic and down-to-earth.

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2026-03-06 17:58