After years in development hell, HBO is finally moving forward with a Lanterns series, and it’s expected to focus on an older, grizzled Hal Jordan and a young new recruit in the form of John Stewart.
It’s been revealed that the part of Jordan has been offered to Josh Brolin, and while nothing has been confirmed online yet, some fans already have an idea of who they want to play former Marine John Stewart.
Aaron Pierre for John Stewart? DC Fans Kickstart Movement
With the hype surrounding the release of Netflix’s Rebel Ridge, a fancast has been going around asking for DC to consider Aaron Pierre for the role of John. Thousands of people have been reacting positively to this tweet:
Fans will also notice the fancast of Chris Pine as Hal Jordan in the past. Though Brolin may be the top choice to play the part of an older Hal, it’s said that Pine is on the shortlist should Brolin decline to take the part. Another actor said to be in the running is Timothy Olyphant (The Book of Boba Fett).
Going back to Pierre though, other journalists online have also jumped aboard the fancast of him as a new Green Lantern recruit:
Before Rebel Ridge, Pierre’s biggest role was no doubt the ridiculously named ‘Mid-Sized Sedan’ in M. Night Shyamalan’s Old; but it’s also worth noting that his character in RR is also a Marine, which John Stewart was in the comics before he decided to put on the cosmic power ring.
John Stewart as Green Lantern
Though Hal Jordan may have been the most popular version of Green Lantern for decades in the comics, John Stewart saw the spotlight for millennial children when he was chosen to be the main Green Lantern for the animated Justice League series.
In the lore, John Stewart was a member of the Marine Corps. and he was said to be an effective sniper. Besides that, he is also said to be a skilled architect.
Though Hal Jordan may have gotten the spotlight in 2011’s Green Lantern, John Stewart was supposed to be the Lantern that was introduced in Zack Snyder’s Justice League, but the part was ultimately cut. The actor that Snyder did choose for the part though, Wayne T. Carr, shared this photo on his Twitter:
How will Lanterns be Different?
Previous depictions of John may have played him out to be a serious character since he has a military history, but they may be looking to change that if Josh Brolin’s Hal Jordan is going to be an old grump.
Based on what the take on Hal is going to be, some fans are expecting this new John Stewart is going to be more of a cocky hotshot, but they could probably alter the role so he’s more of an eager recruit who is already hardened by battle—the only difference is now he has to know how to be a soldier in space.
No release date has been set for Lanterns yet, but with years of development behind the show, fans are hoping that the series could come to Max in 2026 at the latest. Catch Pierre in Rebel Ridge now streaming on Netflix.