One single line from the first teaser for HBO’s Lanterns has sent the internet into a tailspin as the first cracks in the continuity of the all-new, all-different DCU could be showing.
In a world where Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner is already an established, public-facing hero–as seen in last year’s Superman–why is Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan acting like he’s the only human to ever touch a power ring?
The Line That Launched a Thousand Theories
The moment in question occurs early in the teaser when Hal Jordan refers to himself as the only human Green Lantern in a conversation with new recruit John Stewart.
For the casual viewer, it’s a line that establishes Hal’s veteran status. For the die-hards who just watched Guy Gardner trade quips with David Corenswet’s Superman, it’s a massive continuity red flag. As seen in Superman, Guy Gardner is not just a Lantern; he’s a celebrity. So, did Marvel’s “Quality over Quantity” rival just make its first major continuity blunder?
Probably not. Knowing James Gunn, the answer is either a very specific character trait or, more likely, a shift in the timeline.
The Case for the Prequel
The leading theory—and truly the more interesting one—is that Lanterns is a prequel set years before the events of Superman.
The official synopsis for the show repeatedly refers to John Stewart as a “new recruit.” If the show were set in the current DCU timeline (late 2025/early 2026), John would be joining a world already populated by Guy Gardner and potentially other Earth-based heroes.
As has been widely discussed since the teaser debuted, Hal’s gear looks ancient. It’s weathered, tactical, and looks like it belongs in a world where the Justice Gang doesn’t exist yet. Setting the show in the early 2010s or 2020s would allow the “Earth-based mystery” to feel isolated and high-stakes without the interference of other caped icons.
While Nathan Fillion is confirmed to appear in the series, his role has been described as “smug and devious.” Fillion himself recently teased in Gizmodo that “Guy Gardner is no longer comfortable” by the end of the show. Could this suggest that Lanterns may also be Guy’s origin story—perhaps a moment where the ring chooses him after Hal’s era comes to an end?
The “Hal is a Jerk” Alternative
Of course, there is a second, much more “Green Lantern” explanation: Hal Jordan is just being Hal Jordan.
In the comics, Hal’s relationship with Guy Gardner is defined by mutual loathing. Hal famously views himself as the True Lantern of Earth. It’s entirely possible that Lanterns takes place in the present day, and Hal simply refuses to acknowledge Guy Gardner as a legit Lantern. To Hal, a loudmouth like Guy is a glitch in the system, not a partner.
However, this doesn’t explain why John Stewart—a man who presumably watches the news—wouldn’t mention the flying ginger with the bowl cut who just helped save Metropolis.
3 CENTURIES AGO, the first superpowered beings, known as METAHUMANS, appeared on earth, ushering in a new era of GODS AND MONSTERS.
3 DECADES AGO, an extraterrestrial baby was sent in a spacecraft to Earth, and adopted by Kansas farmers.
3 YEARS AGO, the baby, now grown, announced himself as SUPERMAN, the most powerful metahuman of all.
3 WEEKS AGO, Superman stopped the country of BORAVIA from invading JARHANPUR, sparking controversy around the world.
3 HOURS AGO, a metahuman called THE HAMMER OF BORAVIA attacked Superman in the city of METROPOLIS.
3 MINUTES AGO, Superman lost a battle for the first time.
From a production standpoint, the prequel angle is the smartest play for HBO. The key to prestige TV is making the story feel standalone, and setting Lanterns before Superman–especially when it’s been established that metahumans have been known for some time–opens some intriguing doors.
By setting Lanterns in the past, Gunn, Chris Mundy, and Tom King can deliver a True Detective style thriller that isn’t burdened by the “Where was Superman during this?” question. It allows the Hal/John dynamic to be the center of the universe, building the foundation of the Green Lantern Corps lore before we see them fully integrated into the larger DCU battles of 2027 and beyond.
And then it leaves plenty of room to ask questions about why neither Hal nor John are present in Superman. Do Hal and John get wrapped up in something that takes them both into space to investigate further? Or maybe just John?
Whether it’s a prequel or just a case of selective memory from a jaded Hal Jordan, the mystery is officially part of the marketing and the human Lantern discrepancy is likely the first breadcrumb in a trail that leads directly to the ancient horror at the heart of the series.
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