Aaron Pierre, the star of Netflix’s Rebel Ridge, has secured the coveted role of Green Lantern John Stewart in DC Studios and HBO’s highly anticipated series Lanterns.
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| Aaron Pierre and Green Lantern Jesse Grant/Variety/Getty Images; Warner Bros./ Courtesy Everett Collection. |
This casting concludes a heavily scrutinized actor search. Not only is it a major project from DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, but Stewart’s character holds immense significance as one of DC’s first Black superheroes and a fan favorite.
The intense casting came down to Pierre and Stephan James, who is currently promoting The Piano Lesson and is known for his role in the 2016 biopic Race about Jesse Owens. Both actors took part in screen tests alongside Kyle Chandler, who was already cast. Each had strong supporters, but the final decision was made on Tuesday.
Pierre is certainly bringing momentum to the show. His recent leading role in Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge premiered on Netflix on September 6, becoming the platform’s top title worldwide for three consecutive weeks.
Pierre has prior experience with comic book adaptations, having been cast opposite Mahershala Ali in Marvel Studios’ Blade. However, as the project changed direction, he is no longer involved. He also appeared in M. Night Shyamalan’s Old, based on a graphic novel.
Lanterns is described as having a gritty, True Detective feel, following Hal Jordan, a legendary Green Lantern, as he reluctantly mentors the younger John Stewart. The two cosmic cops are pulled into a dark, Earth-based mystery while investigating a murder in the American heartland.
Chandler, known for his acclaimed TV roles in Friday Night Lights and Bloodline, will portray Hal Jordan.
James Hawes, who recently directed episodes of the spy series Slow Horses, has been selected to direct the first two episodes of the sci-fi cop series.
Lanterns has been given a straight-to-series order by HBO and is produced by a high-profile team. Chris Mundy (Ozark), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen, Lost), and Eisner Award-winning comic writer Tom King are executive producers and writers, with Mundy serving as showrunner for the planned eight-episode season. Hawes will also join as an executive producer.
The character of John Stewart was introduced by writer Dennis O’Neil and artist Neal Adams in 1971’s Green Lantern No. 87, twelve years after Hal Jordan and the broader Green Lantern Corps debuted.
Pierre’s recent projects include portraying Malcolm X in the NatGeo series Genius: MLK/X, starring in Garth Davis’ sci-fi drama Foe alongside Paul Mescal and Saoirse Ronan, Clement Virgo’s Brother, and Barry Jenkins’ award-winning limited series The Underground Railroad. In December, Pierre will star as Mufasa in Barry Jenkins’ CG-animated Lion King prequel for Disney.
Pierre is represented by WME, Anonymous Content, Hamilton Hodell, and Sloane Offer.
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