HBO's Lanterns takes a different approach to superhero storytelling, blending a grounded crime investigation with the mythology of DC's Green Lantern Corps. Behind the scenes, supervising editor and associate producer Vikash Patel helped establish that balance.
Patel, whose credits include Ozark, Smallville and The Morning Show, reunited with showrunner Chris Mundy to shape the eight-episode series starring Aaron Pierre as John Stewart and Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan.
In a September interview with the Motion Picture Association's The Credits, Patel discussed how pacing, performance and visual effects helped define the show's identity.
Rather than treating every superhero moment as a spectacle, Patel focused on maintaining the emotional rhythm of the story. That approach was particularly important during action sequences involving Stewart, whose abilities gradually become central to the investigation.
One challenge involved editing scenes before their visual effects were completed. Drawing on techniques he developed while working on Smallville, Patel used basic digital shapes to establish the timing and movement of supernatural elements before the finished effects were added.
The approach allowed the editorial team to concentrate on storytelling without waiting for completed visual effects.
Patel also emphasized the importance of geography and clarity during action scenes, including a foot chase featuring Pierre. The actor's speed presented an unexpected editing challenge: making sure the pursuit remained believable.
For viewers, these decisions help distinguish Lanterns from more conventional superhero television. Its central relationship between Stewart and Jordan unfolds through investigative work, conflicting personalities and the gradual discovery of their powers.
The series also demonstrates how much of a superhero production's identity is established in postproduction, where pacing and performance can be just as important as visual spectacle.
Lanterns is available to stream on HBO Max.
Source-The Credits
