DCU’s Lanterns Series Delayed, New 2026 Release Window Confirmed

Warner Bros. Discovery has officially delayed its upcoming DC Universe series, “Lanterns.” The show will now premiere in late Summer 2026. This shift was confirmed by HBO leadership this week.

The change alters the entire 2026 DCU launch schedule. “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” will now be the first DCU project released that year. This news comes directly from an official statement by HBO.

Revised Schedule Pushes Supergirl to the Forefront

The “Lanterns” series was originally slated for an early 2026 debut. According to HBO Chairman and CEO Casey Bloys, the new plan targets a late Summer 2026 release. This creates a significant gap in the DCU’s content pipeline.

“Supergirl” will now launch on June 26, 2026. This film becomes the new headline act for the DCU’s summer lineup. The exact new date for “Lanterns” remains unconfirmed.

Production for the series began in February 2025. The show is being executive produced by DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran. It is planned to run for eight episodes total.

A Detective Story in the DC Universe

The series will focus on Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart. It is described as a grounded, terrestrial detective story. Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre will star as Jordan and Stewart, respectively.

Nathan Fillion will also reprise his role as Guy Gardner. He first appeared as the character in the 2025 “Superman” film. This connects the series directly to the wider DC Universe narrative.

The delay allows more time for the complex production. Fans can expect a high-quality, character-driven show upon its release.

This new “Lanterns release date” confirms a strategic reshuffling of the DCU’s Phase One. While fans must wait longer, the move aims to ensure the series meets high expectations for the rebooted universe.

Dropping this nugget your way-

What is the new release window for Lanterns?

The series is now scheduled for a late Summer 2026 release. This is a shift from its original early 2026 window. An exact premiere date has not been announced yet.

Which DCU project will now release first in 2026?

“Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow” is now the first 2026 DCU release. Its premiere date is set for June 26, 2026. It will be followed by the “Lanterns” series later in the summer.

Who are the main stars of the Lanterns show?

Kyle Chandler will play Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre will play John Stewart. Nathan Fillion will also appear as Guy Gardner. The show focuses on these two primary Green Lanterns.

How many episodes will the Lanterns series have?

The show is planned to have a total of eight episodes. This is a standard order for a major streaming series. Production began in early 2025.

Why was the Lanterns series delayed?

Official reasons for the schedule change were not provided. Such delays are common in large-scale television production. They often allow more time for post-production and visual effects work.