‘Lanterns’: Aaron Pierre, Stephan James in the Mix to Play John Stewart in DC Studios, HBO Series

DC Studios and HBO’s much-ballyhooed series Lanterns is hitting its final casting stages.

Aaron Pierre, star of Netflix thriller Rebel Ridge and The Piano Lesson actor Stephan James are in the mix to play fan favorite hero John Stewart, multiple sources tell The Hollywood Reporter.

It is unclear if the three are testing or reading — and sources say a decision could be made by the end of the weekend.

Damson Idris, star of FX’s Snowfall, was on the shortlist, but is no longer in contention, according to sources.

HBO and DC had no comment.

Lanterns has a straight to series order at HBO and comes from high-pedigreed creators. Chris Mundy (Ozark), Damon Lindelof (Watchmen, Lost) and Eisner Award-winning comic book writer Tom King are executive producing and writing, with Mundy showrunning.

Kyle Chandler landed the role of classic Lantern Hal Jordan after DC looked for a movie star to anchor the series; Josh Brolin was offered the part but, ultimately passed.

Still, Chandler is a TV heavyweight, having won an Emmy for NBC’s Friday Night Lights and earned nominations for Netflix’s Bloodline. He handily fit the bill of a seasoned name to pair with a fresh-faced actor.

Lanterns is said to have a gritty, True Detective vibe and follows Hal Jordan as he reluctantly mentors a younger Green Lantern, John Stewart.

Stewart is a significant character for DC as one of the company’s first Black superheroes. Writer Dennis O’Neil and artist Neal Adams introduced him in 1971’s Green Lantern No. 87, 12 years after Hal Jordan and the larger Green Lantern Corps mythos arrived on the scene. Now, as he moves to live-action TV, John Stewart marks one of the biggest casting opportunities for a young Black actor this year.

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