HBO’s upcoming superhero drama Lanterns has finally found its John Stewart. Aaron Pierre is stepping into the iconic role, joining Friday Night Lights star Kyle Chandler, who will play Hal Jordan in the DC universe series. The dynamic duo will co-lead Lanterns, and fans are buzzing about the newly completed cast.
This is shaping up to be a big year for Pierre. Not only will he portray one of DC’s most beloved characters, but he’s also starring as a former Marine in Netflix’s action thriller Rebel Ridge. Up next, audiences will hear his voice as young Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King prequel. Pierre’s previous credits include standout performances in Amazon’s The Underground Railroad, the M. Night Shyamalan thriller Old, and Nat Geo’s Genius: MLK/X, where he played Malcolm X. He recently joined the cast of Apple’s The Morning Show, adding another notable project to his expanding portfolio.
According to reports, Pierre was up against stiff competition for the role of John Stewart, with actor Stephen James also in the running. James, known for roles in The Piano Lesson, If Beale Street Could Talk, and 21 Bridges, was one of the other top contenders. Ultimately, Pierre landed the role, and fans are eager to see his take on the Green Lantern Corps member.
The eight-episode series, Lanterns, will focus on the Green Lantern Corps, an intergalactic police force that uses power rings fueled by willpower. John Stewart, as the newest recruit, will partner with Hal Jordan, a legendary Lantern, to protect Precinct Earth. Their journey takes them deep into the American heartland as they investigate a mysterious murder that ends up having much larger implications for the future of the DC Universe. Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan is expected to bring a seasoned edge to the dynamic as he mentors Pierre’s John Stewart through this cosmic adventure.
James Gunn, co-head of DC Studios, has described Lanterns as a terrestrial detective story, comparing it to True Detective but with space cops. Gunn also mentioned that there will be additional Lanterns featured in the series, though the main focus will be on Stewart and Jordan. With True Detective: Night Country‘s Chris Mundy as showrunner and writing contributions from Watchmen‘s Damon Lindelof and DC comics creator Tom King, the show is expected to be a grounded, character-driven addition to the DCU.
John Stewart has a rich history in the comics as a former architect and Marine, and he’s one of the most notable Black superheroes in DC’s roster. His popularity grew even further with his appearances in the animated Justice League and Justice League: Unlimited series. Meanwhile, Hal Jordan’s backstory as a test pilot who becomes the first human member of the Green Lantern Corps provides a classic origin tale that has resonated with fans for decades. Originally, the role of Hal Jordan in Lanterns was offered to Josh Brolin, but he turned it down, leaving Chandler to step in.
The Lanterns series is a part of the broader DC Universe revamp that James Gunn and Peter Safran are spearheading under the banner of “Gods and Monsters.” This first phase of interconnected DC titles will kick off with Creature Commandos, followed by a new Superman movie, and eventually bring us Lanterns. Gunn and Safran have emphasized that John Stewart and Hal Jordan’s detective story will be a crucial part of the overarching DCU narrative, setting the tone for what’s to come in both TV and film.
