Aaron Pierre, set to star as John Stewart in HBO's upcoming Lanterns series, shared that a severe bicep injury almost prevented him from securing the role. The injury, which occurred mere months before filming commenced, saw his tendon separate from the bone.
Pierre recounted the incident during a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, explaining that he went to his final callback while his arm was still recovering from surgery and in a brace. "My bicep went all the way up to my shoulder," he described to the audience, detailing the extent of the injury. Despite his condition, he was determined to prove his dedication.
"I just had surgery and I'm walking around like this," Pierre mimicked, indicating an arm in a sling and an inability to fully extend it. When asked by his team if he still wanted to proceed with the callback, he responded, "Don't ask silly questions." He attended the callback with his arm still braced, motivated by his deep admiration for the character.
Pierre expressed his profound love for the Lanterns franchise, even wearing custom attire featuring the iconic Green Lantern oath and themed footwear. For him, portraying John Stewart was so significant that he was willing to overcome physical limitations to secure the part. "I just wanted the role so much," he stated. "I love John so much. I think in that moment... I was like, ‘What would John do?’ I walked in there and gave it my best."
He successfully landed the role and had a few months to undergo rehabilitation with the support of a dedicated team. The news of Pierre's injury comes as another actor, Ryan Hurst, was recently forced to leave Prime Video's God of War series due to a bicep tear sustained during stunt filming, a situation that will also lead to a recast.
HBO's Lanterns is scheduled to premiere on August 16, 2026.