Aaron Pierre Selected as John Stewart for HBO’s DC Series Lanterns

HBO’s upcoming Green Lantern series, titled Lanterns, has officially cast Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. Recently seen in the Netflix production Rebel Ridge, Pierre will share the screen with Kyle Chandler, who plays Hal Jordan, in this new DC project helmed by creators Damon Lindelof, Chris Mundy, and Tom King.

The announcement of Aaron Pierre’s selection for the John Stewart role was made by James Gunn, co-president of DC Studios, via his social media platforms.

While Stephen James was considered for this iconic part, it seems that Aaron Pierre emerged as the perfect fit for the character.

As of now, the premiere date for Lanterns on HBO Max has not been disclosed.

Understanding Aaron Pierre’s portrayal of John Stewart in Lanterns

John Stewart was conceived by creators Dennis O’Neil and Neal Adams, making his debut in Green Lantern Vol 2 #87 in January 1972. He is a distinguished member of the Green Lantern Corps and stands out as the third human Green Lantern alongside Hal Jordan and Guy Gardner.

Previously an architect, Stewart was chosen by the Guardians of the Universe to become a Green Lantern. Following a serious injury to Guy Gardner, Stewart was appointed to support Hal Jordan. Initially, Jordan was skeptical of Stewart, feeling he lacked respect for authority. However, the Guardians remained steadfast in their choice, and Stewart ultimately took on the mantle.

As they began collaborating, Hal Jordan and John Stewart forged a strong partnership, leading to a warm camaraderie. Once Hal stepped away from his responsibilities as Green Lantern, Stewart embraced the superhero role full-time.

John Stewart has previously been featured in adaptations such as the Justice League animated series, but Aaron Pierre marks a significant milestone as the first actor to portray him in a live-action setting.

Overview of HBO and DC Studios’ Lanterns

The concept for Lanterns was initially unveiled by James Gunn on January 31, 2023, as part of the upcoming slate of DC films titled Gods and Monsters. Gunn indicated that the series draws heavy inspiration from True Detective, featuring an older Hal Jordan mentoring a younger John Stewart as they unravel a mystery on Earth that connects to the broader DC Universe.

“This narrative revolves around two Green Lanterns, John Stewart and Hal Jordan,”explained Gunn during the project’s announcement. “While a few other Lanterns will make appearances, the series will predominantly focus on these characters as they serve as terrestrial police overseeing Precinct Earth, where they uncover a chilling mystery tied to our larger DCU storyline.”

Another interpretation of Green Lantern will appear in the forthcoming Superman movie featuring Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner.

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