Lanterns: Here's the Latest on Season 2 of the Acclaimed DC Series

DC Studios has scored a massive hit with "Lanterns". According to Variety magazine, the first six episodes alone were viewed an average of about 19 million times worldwide, with 12 million of those views coming from the U.S. The numbers and enthusiastic viewer reactions speak for themselves. And now, after the final episode, the question naturally arises: What about a potential Season 2? We've gathered all the information for you.

What Lanterns Is About

The first season of the HBO series has now concluded and was a hit with both audiences and critics. The story centers on John Stewart, played by Aaron Pierre, who teams up with the seasoned Green Lantern Hal Jordan (Kyle Chandler) to investigate a mysterious murder on Earth. What begins as a classic crime case evolves over the course of the season into a story about the Green Lanterns' past and John's own destiny.

Here's what happens in the final episode

Warning: The following section contains spoilers!

In the season finale, John Stewart finally gets the answers he's been searching for all season. After investigating the murder of Hal Jordan, he not only uncovers the truth behind his death but also discovers his own destiny. The resolution of the murder is particularly surprising. It turns out that Kerry, played by Kelly Macdonald, was responsible for Hal's death. Thus, there is no overarching plan by a major villain behind the murder. Rather, Kerry acted on a spontaneous impulse. This gives the central crime case of the first season a much more personal resolution than initially expected. For John, however, it's ultimately about far more than solving a murder. He accepts his role as Earth's protector and thus finally takes his place as the Green Lantern.

Will there be a second season?

John's arc in the first season may be complete, but his future within the DCU certainly isn't. As reported by Collider magazine, behind-the-scenes discussions about a possible sequel to the series are apparently already underway. Co-creator Damon Lindelof has made it clear, however, that he himself will not be involved. At the same time, he confirmed that the sequel is at least in an early stage of development. The writing team is reportedly already working on initial concepts.

Of particular interest is the future of Hal Jordan, on which Lindelof has a clear stance. In his view, it would have been the wrong decision to first clearly depict Hal's death and then later reverse it with the help of a clone or a fabricated cause. This means that Hal's death is truly part of the story. But that doesn't necessarily mean we won't see the character again in the future. After all, there are numerous ways to bring Hal back into the DC Universe.

John Stewart Remains in the DCU

The future of Aaron Pierre's John Stewart, on the other hand, is set in stone. For example, the Green Lantern will appear in the "Superman" sequel, "Man of Tomorrow". According to initial reports, the film isn't intended to be a traditional sequel to "Superman", but it will reunite David Corenswet's Clark Kent and Nicholas Hoult's Lex Luthor. Together, they must take on Brainiac, a technological colossus that assimilates civilizations and shrinks cities. Brainiac will be played by German actor Lars Eidinger. We can also look forward to seeing Milly Alcock's Supergirl and Xolo Maridueña as Blue Beetle again.

Whether there will actually be a sequel to the hit series remains uncertain. While it's a good sign that the writers are already working on initial concepts, ultimately only an official confirmation from HBO will shed light on the matter. We'll keep you posted!