Lanterns co-showrunner offers update on future as fans fear cancellation of DC show

The screenwriter tapped to help develop Lanterns season 2 has responded to panicked speculation that the DC Studios show has been cancelled.

The series reimagined the publisher's cosmic Green Lantern comics as a True Detective-inspired mystery thriller, with Kyle Chandler as grizzled veteran Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as his protégé John Stewart.

Lanterns launched to generally positive reviews from critics and strong viewership, but its reputation soured somewhat in the wake of a polarising season finale.

The series is yet to be renewed by HBO Max, but Halt and Catch Fire's Christopher Cantwell had been hired to develop a pitch for season 2 alongside Lanterns co-creator Chris Mundy.

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It's understood that, should the show continue, Cantwell and Mundy would be co-showrunners, with the former filling a void left by season 1 scribes Tom King and Damon Lindelof.

Indeed, it was Cantwell who emerged to counter Lanterns' cancellation rumours, which flared after DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran announced their sudden exit this week.

On social media site BlueSky, he wrote: "Dear Internet: I haven't heard a f*****g thing... Nothing's cancelled. Calm down."

Gunn and Safran's departure from DC Studios, which they had led since 2022, came as a major shock to fans and the wider industry.

Previously, it was expected that both would stay in post during Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros, which turns parent company Skydance into a media behemoth.

Jeremy Latcham, who worked for Marvel Studios during its first two 'phases', will replace Gunn and Safran as DC Studios boss; he's yet to announce any plans, but speculation is rife about changes he could seek to make.

The financial failure of this summer's Supergirl and shrug-worthy performance of Batman spin-off Clayface were noteworthy factors in the change of guard, according to a Variety report – which also cites an insider verdict that Lanterns "isn't quite capturing the zeitgeist".

The stinging line contributed to fears that Lanterns could be next on the chopping block, but for now, its fate still hangs in the balance.

Pierre's John Stewart will be seen at least once more, however, as the actor is due to reprise the role in next summer's Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow.

Lanterns is available to stream on HBO Max. Get HBO Max and NOW membership for £6.99 a month.

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Authors

David Craig is the Senior Drama Writer for Radio Times, covering the latest and greatest scripted drama and comedy across television and streaming. Previously, he worked at Starburst Magazine, presented The Winter King Podcast for ITVX and studied Journalism at the University of Sheffield.