Actor Aaron Pierre recently opened up about playing the iconic John Stewart in HBO's Lanterns. The series, which will be set in James Gunn and Peter Safran's DC Universe, will star Pierre as well as Friday Night Lights' Kyle Chandler, and it is slated for a 2026 release. Nathan Fillion will also be portraying Guy Gardner in the broader DCU, starting with 2025's Superman.
Pierre's casting was originally announced back in October of this year. Stewart is one of the most popular characters to take on the mantle, due in large part to his inclusion in the animated Justice League cartoon. As such, the hero's live-action debut is much-awaited, something of which Pierre seems very aware.
In an interview with ComicBook.com, Pierre expressed gratitude for his casting, but he was tight-lipped about any further details on the project. The actor stated "What I can tell you is that the team are just super, super excited to have this opportunity to bring this story to the people." Moreover, Pierre spoke of the role with reverence, adding that "so far as [he's] concerned, [he's] gonna do [he] very best to serve and honor and elevate in any way [he] can, John Stewart and the [Green Lantern] Corps."
What Aaron Pierre's Green Lantern Comments Mean
Pierre's words show an underlying respect for the character and the source material. Stewart is a highly popular character, so it is reassuring for his portrayer to view the role in such a positive light. Pierre has history with DC projects, having starred in Syfy's Krypton, but this is his first casting as the lead in a superhero production.
Every Actor Cast In The DCU's Green Lantern Show (So Far)
Lanterns is shaping up to be the DCU’s most anticipated TV show, complete with an intriguing story, fan-favorite characters, and a fantastic cast.
At the time he was cast, Pierre took to Instagram to share his excitement. The actor wrote that he was "tremendously [honored] and abundantly grateful" to play the role, which he considers "a dream come true." He further thanked his followers for "all for the love and beautiful energy" and "for welcoming me to DC." Pierre rounded off his statement with a call to action: "Let's work!"
Our Take On Aaron Pierre's Green Lantern Comments
Pierre's excitement to play Stewart's Green Lantern is palpable. As a result, the actor will likely bring his enthusiasm and reverence for the character to the screen, which may well translate to a fantastic performance. Though the series is over a year away, Pierre's words indicate that significant consideration has been put into the characterization of each of the Green Lanterns. If his words are any indicator, his John Stewart will be worth the wait for Lanterns.
Lanterns follows new recruit John Stewart and veteran Hal Jordan, two of the Green Lantern Corps, as they unravel a dark, Earth-bound mystery while investigating a murder in the American heartland.
