“Lanterns” showrunner Chris Mundy spoke about James Gunn's involvement in the series' creation. Despite the project's connection to the broader DC Universe, the studio head trusted the writers and didn't demand that the story be tailored to future films:
"At the very beginning, James was busy with 'Superman,' in the thick of the work. So he joined in on general discussions, but at the same time, he showed us great trust."
This was especially true for John Stewart. After “Lanterns,” Aaron Pierre's character will appear in “Superman: Legacy,” but the writers were not tasked with bringing him to a predetermined point for the sake of the next film:
"We knew we had to get John on his feet, but there wasn't a specific plot point we needed to bring him to. We weren't forced into anything at all."
According to Mundy, the lack of rigid requirements both simplified and complicated the work, as the writers had to decide for themselves where to lead Stewart by the season finale. This approach aligns with the strategy of Gunn and Peter Safran, who from the outset promised to give DC project creators more creative autonomy.
The first season of “Lanterns” is already airing on HBO. A total of eight episodes are planned, with the finale airing on October 4.