The upcoming HBO show, Green Lantern, has officially cast Aaron Pierre as the lead character, John Stewart. James Gunn, the head of DC Studios, confirmed the news on social media, expressing his confidence in Pierre’s ability to portray an incredible John Stewart. The final casting decision came down to Pierre and Stephan James, with Pierre ultimately landing the role.
The show, titled Lanterns, is said to be a gritty murder mystery akin to HBO’s True Detective. The initial premise revolves around Kyle Chandler’s character, Hal Jordan, training up Pierre’s Stewart as his replacement Green Lantern, as they work together to uncover the truth behind a heinous crime. Despite initial skepticism about a Green Lantern TV adaptation, recent successful DC shows like The Penguin have shown that complex comic book characters can thrive in a serialized format.
Aaron Pierre’s recent role in Netflix’s Rebel Ridge, where he played a retired Marine seeking justice, has garnered critical acclaim. His performance in the film, alongside Don Johnson, has solidified his status as a rising action star. In addition to his role in Lanterns, Pierre is set to portray Mufasa in the upcoming Lion King prequel, showcasing his versatility as an actor.
While Lanterns does not yet have a confirmed release date, production is expected to begin as early as next year. Fans of the Green Lantern comics and DC universe can look forward to seeing Aaron Pierre bring the iconic character of John Stewart to life in this highly anticipated HBO series. Stay tuned for more updates on casting and production details as they become available.
