HBO’s Green Lantern creator responds to backlash: ‘Expect’ superpowers

When the debut trailer for HBO’s Lanterns premiered, a wave of confusion swept through the superhero fandom. While the production—part of James Gunn’s revamped DC Universe—certainly captured a moody, True Detective-inspired aesthetic, many viewers felt something was missing. For a franchise defined by extraterrestrial rings capable of manifesting any object from raw green energy, the absence of those signature light constructs in the footage left fans feeling underwhelmed.

A follow-up trailer sought to reassure the skeptical, showcasing the rings in full effect. To put the speculation to rest once and for all, executive producer Chris Mundy sat down with Polygon to clarify what fans can truly expect.

“You are definitely going to see constructs,” confirmed the showrunner, whose pedigree includes Ozark and True Detective.

For our 2026 Summer Preview, we posed two essential questions regarding the future of the Corps, and here is what we discovered.

Polygon: The initial footage was visually striking, but noticeably absent of visual effects. Should audiences anticipate a heavy reliance on Green Lantern constructs?

Chris Mundy: Our narrative approach prioritizes character-driven storytelling and authentic performances; we want to keep the stakes rooted in emotional truth. However, we are deeply embedded in Green Lantern lore. We aren’t shying away from the fundamental pillars of this mythology, so yes—you will absolutely see constructs in action.

Tom King previously aimed for a “superhero show worthy of a Sunday 9 p.m. HBO slot.” How are you measuring the success of that ambition?

Chris Mundy: When you reference that specific HBO timeslot, you’re talking about “prestige” television—a broad term that covers many genres. The common thread is always compelling character development. That is our primary benchmark. We want to craft multi-dimensional characters that foster a genuine emotional connection. Our goal is to surprise the audience and provide an entertaining experience, but at its core, we are building a series where the stakes—and the people living through them—feel incredibly real.

Lanterns premieres August 16 on HBO and Max.

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Source: Polygon