Lanterns is coming up for DC Studios in the next year and fans are really excited. That Hashtag Show had the chance to attend a special event for The Amateur in Washington, D.C. During or trip, we talked about the movie being available on digital and director James Hawes’ experience with superheroes.

It seems as though the filmmaker thought Lanterns really fit in nicely with his previous work. He’s naturally a fan of more grounded stories. Lanterns actually comes at the popular Green Lantern franchise from a more police mystery angle than more fantastic fare. There’s still the elements of those characters that you know and love. But, they’re mixed with that kind of grit that audiences enjoyed in The Penguin.

James Hawes on Directing Lanterns for DC Studios

First Look at Lanterns directed by Hawes
Max posts first look at Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler in Lanterns

Our Brandon Davis asked the director why he decided to direct two episodes of the Max series. For Hawes it really came down to the pedigree of the writing staff and a desire to stretch himself a bit.

“It’s a combination because it’s not my normal sandpit, really, to go off and play in that area. But the writing… Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, you know, they’ve done things like Ozark, True Detective,” Hawes said. “So… The scripts have got such wit, so much character. It’s like a buddy cop movie played out. And I’ve talked about this in the sort of True Detective, Fargo, No Country for Old Men, naturalistic… It’s a buddy cop movie, and then somebody flies.”

Lanterns balances grounded elements and Green Lantern cosmic fare

Davis also had to ask about the delicate balance between all-out cosmic action and the more reserved tone from similar cop shows. Some of the classic fans are going to want to have their popcorn ready for Lanterns, despite all this talk of “gritty realism.”

“I’m going to talk very obliquely about because there are excitements to come. It won’t disappoint the classic fans,” the director teased. “I think it will invite in a whole new audience as well, because you get to meet the characters in quite a rooted way before it takes you intergalactic.” 

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