James Gunn Reveals Why He Cast Aaron Pierre As Green Lantern John Stewart
What was Aaron Pierre’s secret trick to being cast as John Stewart? James Gunn reveals his thought process behind choosing the Green Lantern.
The internet has been ablaze over the past few hours with news that Aaron Pierre will be taking on the role of John Stewart in the DC Universe. He topped many people’s fancasts of the Green Lantern based off looks alone, as well as his star-making role in the recent film Rebel Ridge. However, that wasn’t what sold James Gunn on him landing on the part.
According to a recent comment by James Gunn on Instagram, it was Aaron Pierre’s screen test that convinced Gunn to cast him as John Stewart. Another report reveals that that screen test was done across from fellow Green Lantern Kyle Chandler, likely meaning their chemistry was an integral part in casting Pierre in one of the DC Universe’s most coveted roles.
Aaron Pierre’s Future As John Stewart In Lanterns
There’s a sweet irony to many fans that Aaron Pierre was cast as John Stewart. Much like how James Gunn got his start in the MCU, Pierre was originally attached to star in Marvel’s Blade reboot before leaving the project due to multiple delays. This lead him to joining the DC Universe as Green Lantern, likely meaning he won’t be headed back to the other side of the fence anytime soon.
It’s also likely that Aaron Pierre will be the face of the Green Lantern Corps going forward, with Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan serving as a mentor to John Stewart in Lanterns. While it’s unclear what the future holds for either actor, it’s clear James Gunn has some big plans to introduce them so early on. Though given the heroes’ reputation, Pierre and Chandler have some massive hurdles to overcome!
The Green Lantern series Lanterns has a series order for HBO. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the DC Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!