After weeks of deliberation from DC Studios on who would play John Stewart, the star of their upcoming series Lanterns, Aaron Pierre has won the role. The casting caps off one of their biggest actor searches since possibly Superman. DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran are taking on their first TV series under the new studio banner. The role of Stewart carries plenty of significance; he’s a major fan-favorite character and was one of the first Black DC superheroes.

The process came down to Aaron Pierre and Stephan James, which we reported on here. Both actors participated in screen tests last week with fellow Lantern Kyle Chandler. Both had their pros and people behind them at the studio and the decision was made on Tuesday.

Who Is Aaron Pierre? Lanterns Details

Pierre brings with him a fiery energy and a rising star thanks to his breakout role in Netflix’s Rebel Ridge. In that film he plays an ex-military officer who’s facing off against a corrupt police department trying to earn his cousin’s freedom. It garnered rave reviews and brought plenty of new eyes to the actor. He had previously been cast alongside Mahershala Ali in Marvel’s Blade film, but he dropped out of that project after a litany of delays. He also appeared in M. Night Shyamalan’s Old, which was based on a graphic novel.

Lanterns is said to have a gritty, True Detective vibe and follows Hal Jordan, a legend amongst the space police force known as the Green Lanterns, as he reluctantly mentors Stewart, a younger Green Lantern. The two intergalactic cops get drawn into a dark, Earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland. 

Lanterns comes from Chris Mundy and Damon Lindelof. Tom King is writing the script with the two of them. Mundy is the showrunner for the project. Kyle Chandler recently landed the role of Hal Jordan.

We’ll keep you updated on all things DC and Lanterns as we get news.

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