Fans are excited to see John Stewart coming to life in James Gunn’sLanternsTV show, and it seems the same goes for Aaron Pierre’s co-stars outside theDC Universe. The Green Lantern mythology is getting a live-action adaptation in theDC Universe’s Chapter 1: “Gods and Monsters” slate, with Pierre playing one of the first confirmed characters to hold the hero mantle in the newLanternsseries. As production gets closer to starting next year, Pierre’s John Stewart casting is getting tremendous support from fellow actors in the industry.
At the recentMufasa: The Lion King press junket, ScreenRantchatted with the stars of the newLion Kingprequel, including Pierre himself and his two co-stars Kelvin Harrison Jr. and Tiffany Boone - who are playing Taka and Sarabi, respectively - whereLanternswas briefly brought up. While Pierre couldn’t talk much about the series,Harrison Jr. and Boone instead got the chance to chime in on his DC Universe casting in the following conversation, first joking about the secrecy around the role, and then expressing excitement for Pierre and his casting:
ScreenRant: Switching gears for a second. Look, I’m really excited for you to play The Green Lantern. That is the character when I was a kid, that’s who I saw myself as on screen. So I’m really happy that they’re going with John Stewart. Now, I know that you can’t talk about the Green Lantern, so I’m going to ask the two of you. What are you excited to see him bring to the role as the Green Lantern?
Tiffany Boone: Go, put us in trouble.
Kelvin Harrison Jr.: We sign NDAs as his friends.
Tiffany Boone: I’m just excited to see either one of these guys step into their next role and do great things. You know what I mean? It’s just our generation of Black actors seeing each other grow up and do great things, things every time. Every time I see someone book something, I don’t feel any jealousy or any rivalry. I’m just always like, oh, I’m just so happy that we’re working and people are getting the opportunity. So I’m excited for you.
What Kelvin Harrison Jr. & Tiffany Boone’s Comments Mean For Aaron Pierre’s Green Lantern Casting
In the DC canon, John Stewart is one of the most prominent Black superheroes, and is more than overdue for the live-action adaptation, which is why it is such a big deal thatLanternsis happening as early as it is inGunn’s DC Universe. Given John’s popularity, it’s surreal to note he’s not featured in a live-action movie before this, showing that someone as important as him has been severely overlooked. That makes Boone and Harrison Jr.’s commentary all the more noteworthy - especially Boone’s reference to being thrilled that more Black actors are getting promising opportunities like this role.
The Green Lantern mythology was only given the big-screen treatment with 2011’sGreen Lanternmovie with Ryan Reynolds, which became one of the most panned superhero films of all time. That iswhy it was a massive negative for the DCEU movie timeline to stay away from the Emerald Knights, by default holding characters like John back. However, withtheLanternscastlooking to headline Pierre’s John as a lead character, the DC Universe is making up for the DCEU’s mistakes.
Our Take On Kelvin Harrison Jr. & Tiffany Boone’s Comments
It’s wonderful to see fellow actors be excited for major moments like Pierre’s DC Universe casting, especially as John Stewart will likely go on to be one of the crucial players in Gunn’s franchise. AstheLanternsTV showis getting closer to finally starting production, it will hopefully not be much longer until the world gets a few glimpses of what is in store for the series. Hopefully, whether it’s through set photos or Gunn releasing something himself, fans will soon get to see Pierre in action as the character inLanterns.
Lanterns
Cast
Lanterns follows new recruit John Stewart and veteran Hal Jordan, two members of the Green Lantern Corps, as they unravel a dark, Earth-bound mystery while investigating a murder in the American heartland.
