UPDATE: Aaron Pierre and Stephan James are in the mix to play John Stewart in HBO’s “Lanterns” series. After seeing Pierre in “Rebel Ridge,” I am utterly convinced this guy is the real deal and has a bright future ahead of him.
EARLIER: It looks like the folks over at HBO have found their Hal Jordan/Green Lantern. Kyle Chandler is in talks to star as Jordan in “Lanterns,” a DC limited series which is being described as having “gritty True Detective vibes.” Other actors were apparently in the running, including Ewan McGregor and Matthew McConaughey. Josh Brolin also turned down the role.
Chandler, an Emmy winner for “Friday Night Lights,” is a strong choice. He’s had notable supporting roles in “King Kong” (2005), “Super 8,” “Argo,” “Zero Dark Thirty,” “The Wolf of Wall Street,” “Carol,” “Manchester by the Sea,” “Game Night” and “First Man.”
“Lanterns” will tackle two intergalactic cops (Hal Jordan and John Stewart) investigating a murder in the American heartland. Nathan Fillion is set to co-star in the series as Guy Gardner. No word yet on whether, much like in the comics, Gardner will also be portraying Green Lantern.
I reported last week that Sean Durkin (“The Iron Claw”) was in talks to direct a “handful” of episodes on the limited series. Damon Lindelof (‘Watchmen”) is an executive producer on the show. Chris Mundy (“Ozark”) serves as the showrunner. Stephen Williams (“Chevalier”) and Lucy Tcherniak (“Angelyne”) are also being eyed as possible directors — Williams worked with Lindelof on “Watchmen.”