Aaron Pierre’s One Confession About DCU’s ‘Lanterns’ Role Proves He Has Guts to Turn Down Even a Major MCU Role
- Aaron Pierre, set to play John Stewart in DCU's 'Lanterns,' expressed his personal connection to the role.
- Pierre confessed to not following industry trends inclined to the superhero genre to pick his roles.
- Pierre has been a popular consideration for Adam Warlock, Black Panther, and other superheroes.
The superhero genre was once a niche entertainment that has grown to become a major global industry, especially in the past decade. They are no longer just the big productions from Marvel and DC studios, but a part of generation-defining pop culture.
In this cinematic world of superheroes, Aaron Pierre has been cast to play Green Lantern John Stewart in the upcoming DCU series Lanterns. Although commercial cinema trends impact the career choices of many actors, it looks like Pierre is not one of them.
Aaron Pierre’s unconventional path for Lanterns
When DC Studios’ co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran announced Lanterns, they described it as a groundbreaking detective story featuring both John Stewart and Hal Jordan. The series promises to be a dark, earth-based mystery about two intergalactic cops on their way to solving a murder.
Aaron Pierre has been genuinely interested in playing Stewart, who will be mentored by Jordan in the show. The actor is also doing his research and wants to preserve his character’s cultural significance. In an interview with ComicBook, he said,
I’m gonna do my very best to serve and honor and elevate in any way I can, John Stewart and the [Green Lantern] Corps. Hopefully, I serve that and it resonates with me.
It could be said that Pierre has both professional and personal relations to the character, and it is a true passion for him. During an interview with Collider, when asked about whether he chose the role because of “industry winds,” he said something that puts him in a different league from many actors who pick superhero movies. He said,
Honestly it’s never about where the industry winds are blowing. For me it’s always about what is my truth and what I’m inspired to do next irrespective of who thinks what about it. I do really love the superhero genre. But I’m more drawn to particular characters and I’m deeply in love with the character of John Stewart.
John Stewart was one of the first Black superheroes to get into mainstream comics, debuting in Green Lantern #87 in 1971. Pierre’s honest comments show how much the actor is secure with his career choices. It also shows he can turn down any big role if it doesn’t resonate with him at a personal level, just like he did with Blade.
Aaron Pierre’s multiple superhero castings
Before getting cast as John Stewart, Pierre has gone through many fan castings and possibilities of other superhero castings. One of them has been MCU’s Adam Warlock, who was later played by Will Poulter in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. James Gunn revealed this during the recent New York Comic-Con saying (via Collider),
Aaron Pierre is somebody who I’ve wanted to work together with for a long time. People don’t know, but he was almost cast as Adam Warlock.
Pierre was earlier connected to MCU through an undisclosed role in Mahershala Ali’s Blade. However, it didn’t work out in the end. Speaking to Variety, Pierre said, “Early on, there were conversations. As the project evolved, I’m no longer part of that—attached.”
Other popular fan castings suggested Pierre in the role of the next Black Panther and Martian Manhunter. However, the Rebel Ridge actor will now be seen showing the power of his will along with fellow cast members Kelly MacDonald and Nathan Fillion, and others.
Lanterns is likely to be premiered on HBO in the summer of 2026.
