Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan in 'Lanterns' gets a resurfaced nod from Josh Brolin
With Lanterns nearing its finale, Josh Brolin’s old praise for Kyle Chandler is back in circulation—even as Hal Jordan’s Season 2 future looks as uncertain as ever.
Asked point-blank about the role he didn’t take, Josh Brolin confirmed he’d been in talks to play Hal Jordan during a 2024 ComicBook.com interview promoting Brothers with Peter Dinklage — then immediately threw his support behind the guy who did get the job.
“I love him as an actor. I think he's wonderful actually”
Brolin didn’t get into why his deal never happened, but he did leave the door cracked on doing something in DC “down the line.” He’s already logged major comic-book time as Thanos in the MCU and Cable in Deadpool 2.
Chandler’s Hal, on screen
The early chatter around Lanterns has zeroed in on Kyle Chandler’s take — a cocky, veteran space cop whose bravado hides a rattled, complicated man. Reviews have praised the show’s detective bent and Chandler’s chemistry with Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart; a Rotten Tomatoes roundup spotlights both performances, while The Hollywood Reporter singled out the vulnerability Chandler threads into Hal.
There’s a twist to how viewers are getting Hal, too. Through Episode 7, Hal is still dead in the show’s 2026 timeline. Chandler keeps appearing in flashbacks and as the “Halogram” stored inside John’s ring, which lets the series dig into Hal’s life and the mystery around his death without bringing him back — at least not yet.
Season 2 status
HBO hasn’t announced a renewal, but work toward a continuation has quietly inched forward. In July, reports said a writers’ room for a possible Season 2 had assembled and begun writing; later, showrunner Chris Mundy told THR the team was in the “breaking-story stages.” None of that equals a green light.
- No official renewal from HBO
- Writers’ room reportedly started in July
- Showrunner Chris Mundy: “breaking-story stages”
As for Chandler’s future, it ’s up in the air. James Gunn has defended the choice to kill Hal and hinted the circumstances are more complicated than they seem, which keeps multiple paths open — more Halogram scenes, earlier timelines, or a reveal that reframes Hal’s fate. Chandler hasn’t been confirmed for any potential second season.