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Aaron Pierre Reveals Grisly Bicep Injury That Nearly Cost Him Lanterns Role
Aaron Pierre has said a serious bicep injury nearly prevented him from being cast as John Stewart in HBO’s forthcoming Lanterns series. The actor attended his final callback in a brace shortly after surgery, saying his determination to play the character led him to proceed despite limited movement in his arm.
Pierre told a San Diego Comic-Con panel that his tendon had separated from the bone, causing his bicep to move towards his shoulder. He was reportedly among the final two or three candidates, won the role after the callback, and then had several months to rehabilitate; Lanterns is due to begin streaming on 16 August 2026.
In short
- Pierre auditioned for Lanterns while recovering from bicep surgery.
- The injury occurred shortly before his final callback.
- HBO’s Lanterns launches on 16 August 2026.
Explained simply
Lanterns is an upcoming HBO series based on DC Comics' Green Lantern universe. Aaron Pierre has been cast in the lead role of John Stewart, a central character in the Green Lantern stories.
Pierre experienced a serious bicep injury during the casting process when his tendon separated from the bone. He was in the final stages of auditions—reportedly among only two or three remaining candidates—when he had surgery to address the injury.
Rather than wait to fully recover, Pierre continued with his final audition for the role whilst still recovering from surgery and wearing a brace. The injury could have eliminated him from consideration during such a competitive stage of casting, but he ultimately secured the role and then had several months to rehabilitate.
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