After an intense casting process, Aaron Pierre has been officially cast as John Stewart in Lanterns, the highly anticipated Green Lantern series from DC Studios. Pierre, a rising star, will join Kyle Chandler, who was previously cast as Green Lantern hero Hal Jordan. The casting marks a major milestone for the show, which will be the first significant TV endeavor overseen by DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran.
The role of John Stewart is of particular importance, as Stewart is one of DC’s first Black superheroes and a fan favorite due to the iconic Justice League animated series. The final decision came down to a heated competition between Pierre and Stephan James, known for his role in The Piano Lesson and the biopic Race. Both actors participated in screen tests, performing alongside Chandler, and the decision was made earlier this week.
Pierre’s star has been rapidly rising in recent months. He was recently seen leading Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge, which topped Netflix’s global charts for three weeks in a row. Pierre was also slated to appear opposite Mahershala Ali in Blade, although that film has since evolved and Pierre will no longer be involved. His previous credits include M. Night Shyamalan’s Old and the NatGeo series Genius: MLK/X, in which he portrayed Malcolm X.
The Lanterns series, set to air on HBO, promises to have a gritty, True Detective feel. It follows Hal Jordan, a seasoned Green Lantern, as he reluctantly takes John Stewart under his wing. Together, the two intergalactic space cops investigate a murder mystery set in the American heartland, drawing them into a dark and complex narrative.
Chandler, best known for his roles in Friday Night Lights and Bloodline, will play Hal Jordan, the veteran Green Lantern who will serve as Stewart’s mentor. The series is being helmed by James Hawes, a director known for his work on Slow Horses, and will consist of an eight-episode season. The show boasts a high-caliber creative team, including Chris Mundy (Ozark), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen), and comic book writer Tom King.
John Stewart was first introduced in 1971’s Green Lantern No. 87, created by writer Dennis O’Neil and artist Neal Adams. His addition to the Lanterns series is a significant moment for fans of the Green Lantern mythos, which has long included Stewart as a key character.
With Pierre taking on the role of Stewart, fans are eager to see what the show has in store. The actor has proven his range in projects like The Underground Railroad and the upcoming Mufasa: The Lion King prequel, where he will play the titular role.
With Lanterns expected to debut in 2025, this series is shaping up to be a crucial part of DC’s future on television. As DC Studios continues to move forward with new projects, Lanterns is set to deliver a fresh, grounded take on the Green Lantern universe, while also adding another compelling chapter to John Stewart’s legacy. Can. Not. Wait.
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The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
