LANTERNS Star Says The Green Lantern Corps Are “Extremely Relatable” Because They “Embrace Their Flaws In A Way That Is Beautiful”
The highly anticipated DC series Lanterns has officially wrapped filming, and star Aaron Pierre, who takes on the role of John Stewart, is opening up about what fans can expect from the show, and why the Green Lantern Corps might be some of the most relatable heroes in the DC Universe.
“We recently wrapped Lanterns. It was an enormous shoot. It was of a grand scale in every sense of the word,” Pierre told Esquire, reflecting on the production and expressing his appreciation for being part of such an ambitious project.
Pierre went on to share some thoughtful insight into what makes these emerald protectors stand out among other superheroes
“One of the things that I love the most about the Lantern Corps is that, yes, they are heroes. Yes, they are celebrated and championed as such, but they embrace their flaws in a way that is beautiful.
“That makes them extremely relatable. We would often have this conversation on set. I feel like, knowing what I know and what we've done with this season, even if I wasn't part of it, I would watch it and say, 'I know those guys. In real life, I know those guys.’”
Pierre’s connection to the material clearly runs deep. He continued by highlighting how the series explores the human side of these cosmic peacekeepers:
“That's a really beautiful thing, that there's an access point to these heroes. There are multiple access points to these heroes, because they are flawed and they embrace their flaws and they don't shy away from their flaws.
“They do their best to redeem themselves actively, consciously. When you watch it, it almost makes you go, 'You know what? If I can just figure out where to get my application, I could be in the Green Lantern Corps.
“The training would be intense, and the responsibility would be enormous, but I might be able to just apply for this and have a go.' There's just a relatability to it that is beautiful. Hopefully that resonates with everybody.”
It’s clear that Lanterns won’t just be another superhero story, it’s looking like it’s going to be a grounded and character-driven look at what it means to be flawed yet still strive for greatness.
Alongside Pierre’s John Stewart, the series features Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan, Nathan Fillion returning as Guy Gardner, and Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro. The cast also includes Kelly Macdonald, Garret Dillahunt, and Laura Linney, rounding out an impressive ensemble.
Lanterns will follow Hal Jordan as he approaches retirement and begins training John Stewart, a promising new recruit to the Green Lantern Corps. With its mix of cosmic adventure and personal storytelling, this show is sure to be a great entry in the DCU’s upcoming lineup.