Hollywood actor Aaron Pierre, renowned for his role in Netflix’s “Rebel Ridge,” has officially been cast in HBO’s upcoming series “Lanterns.”
In this highly anticipated show, Pierre will embody John Stewart, marking the character as the younger Lantern and the first Black superhero in the franchise, as reported by Variety.
Previously, actor Damson Idris was rumored to be a contender for the role, but Pierre and Stephan James emerged as the frontrunners to star alongside Kyle Chandler, who will portray the legendary Hal Jordan in “Lanterns.”
Produced by HBO in collaboration with Warner Bros. and DC Studios, this eight-episode series draws inspiration from DC’s “Green Lantern” comics.
According to the official logline, the narrative centers on “new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic officers entangled in a dark, earthbound mystery as they investigate a murder in the heartland of America.”
The series is co-written by Chris Mundy, Damon Lindelof, and Tom King, who also serve as executive producers alongside James Hawes.
Aaron Pierre’s character made his debut in “Green Lantern No. 87” in 1971, twelve years after the introduction of Hal Jordan and the broader Green Lantern Corps mythos.
Pierre catapulted to international acclaim with his performance in the Netflix thriller “Rebel Ridge,” directed by Jeremy Saulnier. The film follows Terry Richmond, played by Pierre, who uncovers a vast conspiracy and rampant corruption when a local police force seizes the funds meant to bail his cousin out of prison. Critics lauded the film, awarding it a 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes from 40 reviews.
In addition to “Rebel Ridge,” the actor has made notable television appearances, portraying Malcolm X in “Genius: MLK/X” and featuring in “The Underground Railroad.”
Pierre’s filmography also includes titles such as “Foe,” “Brother,” and “Old.” He is set to portray Mufasa in Disney’s forthcoming “Lion King” prequel, further solidifying his rising star status in Hollywood.