Warner Bros. Discovery has officially announced Aaron Pierre as John Stewart in the highly anticipated DC Universe (DCU) and HBO series Lanterns. Set to co-star alongside Kyle Chandler, who plays Hal Jordan, Lanterns is part of the Gods and Monsters chapter of the DCU, which aims to bridge Earth-based narratives with cosmic storylines.
Aaron Pierre, known for his roles in M. Night Shyamalan’s Old (2021) and Jeremy Saulnier’s Rebel Ridge (2024), steps into the DCU after a rigorous search which came down to both him and Stephan James (Selma), emphasising the significance of Stewart as one of DC’s pioneering Black superheroes. The series, which follows the iconic Green Lanterns as they solve a murder mystery in the American heartland, is gearing up for production with Pierre’s inclusion marking a critical step forward.
Pierre’s journey to Lanterns is noteworthy, given his near-miss with another superhero role in Blade alongside Mahershala Ali, which underwent multiple production shifts. His performance in Rebel Ridge, which topped Netflix viewing charts for three consecutive weeks, solidified his standing in Hollywood, making him a fitting choice for the groundbreaking role of John Stewart. Pierre’s first turn in the DC Universe as Dev-Em on Syfy’s Krypton also strengthens his credentials.
Lanterns promises a “gritty, True Detective vibe” and is one of the first major television projects spearheaded by DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran. It portrays Hal Jordan as a seasoned member of the Green Lantern Corps, who reluctantly mentors the newer Green Lantern, John Stewart. Their investigation will unfold into a dark, expansive narrative that resonates with the overarching theme of the DCU’s new phase.
The series is expected to integrate seamlessly with other DCU projects, including James Gunn’s Superman, which introduces another Green Lantern, Guy Gardner, played by Nathan Fillion. As Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow casts its villain and Lanterns secures its leads, Warner Bros. is positioning these projects as priorities within the franchise. With filming expected to begin soon, Lanterns is on track to become a significant addition to the DCU, blending superhero elements with a detective thriller’s suspense.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, games, and comics — you name it. When she’s not reading or geeking out about the latest shows on Netflix, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of meeting her idols.
