Watch the brand new trailer for Lanterns below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

Green Lanterns are intergalactic peacekeepers who wear rings that give them extraordinary powers. The series follows experienced Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) and new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) as they investigate a murder in Rushville, Nebraska, which Hal believes is an extraterrestrial incident and leads them to darker mysteries and reckonings.

Brining fresh light to a brand new chapter of the DC Universe, Lanterns takes audiences into a rugged and intense cop drama, that just happens to have superpowers, and from the looks of it no punches will be pulled with a series that is utterly going for it with everything it has.

Standing front and centre are Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, and this is one ‘buddy-cop’ duo who aren’t very keen on being buddy cops at all, and it’s very clear that Lanterns is going to have an edge to it’s production and narrative. Chandler is rather salty as gruff veteran Hal Jordan, while Pierre’s JohN Stewart definitely has something to prove, and this really creates a space for some great character dynamics to be explored in the new series.

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What really appealed to me about Lanterns was that it feels fresh for a supeheroes, and appears to be more in-line with the likes of True Detective of Slow Horses, and you feel that HBO MAX are really looking to push this intoa bold new direction. And I must admit there were also a heap of surprises present in this new trailer, chief among them the presence of Thaal Sinestro, who is played by the utter legend that is Ulrich Thomsen, and if you were a Banshee fan then you know how his effortless charm and ruthlessness rolls, so having him stare down with Chandler’s Jordan makes for something very exciting.

Lanterns is a series that is really going to give audiences something different when it arrives on HBO MAX on August 17.

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The Green Lantern Oath conjures images of the Universe’s most powerful warrior corps, a group of interplanetary peace keepers made up of species from across the entire spectrum of the universe ready to face down evil, and now HBO Max’s Lanterns is tready to shake things up in an intense tale of psychological complexity as two heroes must conqueror their greatest fears.

Check out the all-new teaser trailer for Lanterns below:

Here’s the official synopsis:

Lanterns follows new recruit John Stewart (Aaron Pierre) and Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler), two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland.

Stepping into the fight against evil are Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre as Hal Jordan, a legendary Green Lantern, and fresh faced recruit John Stewart who are thrust into a brooding psychological mystery thriller that finds a sinister extraterrestrial presence on Earth, and this is definitely not the series fans had anticipated when they saw that Lanterns was arriving on HBO Max.

With it’s boots on the ground rawness, Lanterns smashes together superhero intensity, with a brooding psychological character study, and right from the heart both Jordan and Stewart make for a volatile presence, but they’ll need each others’ support if there to stop whats coming.

Joining Chandler and Pierre in the series are Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, Poorna Jagannathan, Laura Linney, Jason Ritter, Ulrich Thomsen, Nathan Fillion, J. Alphonse Nicholson and Jasmine Cephas Jones, while the first two episodes are directed by James Hawes, with Stephen Williams, Geeta Vasant Patel and Alik Sakharov also tapped to direct.

Both Chandler and Pierre look great together on-screen and there’s an almost Butch and Sundance swagger that the pair deliver to the screen. Mixed in further is this exploration of both of their character’s’ military backgrounds, Jordan, a former Air Force test pilot, and Stewart, a former Force Recon Marine, and you can sense that this series will look to explore the presence and plight of veterans in today’s America.

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With its gripping character driven narrative story, Lanterns is set to be an intriguing watch when it arrives on HBO Max on August 17.

Image: HBO Max

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In the Pride Lands of Tanzania after the events of The Lion King, Rafiki the mandrill tells the origin story of two lions, Mufasa and Taka, to Kiara—the granddaughter of Mufasa and daughter of Simba and Nala. The story follows the orphan Mufasa, who is befriended by the young prince Taka and adopted by Taka’s family; the pair become as close as brothers. Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog add color commentary.

With its richly textured world and a cast of treasured characters, Walt Disney Pictures’ The Lion King is a film that audiences return to again and again, and there has always been room to explore its vast landscape of narratives. Now, in Mufasa, Academy Award-winning filmmaker Barry Jenkins is able to step back in time and explore the story of how Mufasa came to be King of the Pride Lands and in so doing so, he gives greater context and nuance to the story of Simba and The Lion King. Jenkins is a filmmaker who leads with narrative, and this is present within the context and focus that he places on the nature of this narrative. And what we get is not a repeat of the original Lion King, but instead a journey of a young lion who has destiny thrust upon him and who must step up in order to find his place in the world. Jenkins has a vast canvas on which to explore this grand origin tale and takes every opportunity to do something unique and engaging with the subject matter offered to him.

As a filmmaker, Jenkins has many tools on offer to him when crafting this grand feature. One of the best is the phenomenal photorealist design and artistry of his animators. In watching Mufasa, you feel the full grand scope of the Serengeti of Tanzania come to life as Mufasa searches for the mythical land of Milele. The imagery is beautiful to behold, and one feels as if you are literally watching footage captured by National Geographic. The texture and artistry of this beautiful landscape fully wrap you in its story, and your eyes will be wide with amazement as you look upon this incredible natural ecosystem and the varied species that call it home. Every shot is composed of beautiful framing, and no detail has been left out in realising this grand tale. Deserts and mountain ranges, mixed with the long grass of the Pride Lands, and the design of these incredible creatures pulls you deeper into this layered and exciting story.

Mufasa and his companions Taka, Sarabi, Zazu and Rafiki undertake an incredible journey, and a filmmaker of Barry Jenkins standing draws in an incredible new level of talent, including the likes of Aaron Pierre, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Tiffany Boone, Thandiwe Newton, Lennie James, Anika Noni Rose, Keith David and Mads Mikkelsen. Aaron Pierre brings stature and command through his vocalisation of a lion who is drawn to become a king when the Pride Lands and the paradise of Milele are threatened, while Kelvin Harrison Jr.’s performance as Taka displays a soiled and hurt quality of a prince whose actions aren’t enough to back up his broad ego. Mads Mikkelsen brings a snarling fierceness as the White Lion Kiros, and he makes for a worthy antagonist for Mufasa to take on. The actors project into their characters, and with the incredible animation, their actions help power the breathtaking visuals that make their way up onto the big screen.

When discussing The Lion King and the character of Mufasa, it is essential to recognise the significant presence and influence of the late great James Earl Jones. His spirit resonates throughout this production, and it is clear that everyone involved sought to honour his legacy through their performances. This sentiment was particularly felt by Aaron Pierre, who is swiftly establishing himself in Hollywood. His humble demeanour and strong presence draw parallels to Jones himself, and you can sense Pierre’s determination to pay tribute to the man who paved the way before him. The character of Mufasa is imbued with a mix of emotion and power, exploring grand themes such as responsibility, friendship, love, and the journey toward one’s destiny. These elements are sure to leave a profound impact on audiences everywhere. Pierre’s portrayal of Mufasa represents a new chapter in the timeless narrative of The Lion King, beautifully honouring the tradition of its storytelling while continuing the legacy of James Earl Jones on the grand stage of the great circle of life.

Mufasa: The Lion King is a film that is best experienced on the largest screen possible, ideally in IMAX if it’s available. Its grand adventure is sure to delight audiences of all ages, making it one of the most powerful and moving animated features of the year.

Image: Walt Disney Pictures

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