HBO’s highly anticipated series Lanterns continues to generate buzz ahead of its release, notable for its stellar cast that includes Aaron Pierre, Kyle Chandler, Poorna Jagannathan, and Ulrich Thomsen. Among the supporting actors is J. Alphonse Nicholson, who portrays the younger John Stewart Sr., with Sherman Augustus playing the character’s older version. Fans have speculated on how Nicholson secured his role, particularly given his collaboration with Danielle Brooks in the upcoming film If I Go Will They Miss You. However, Brooks has firmly denied any influence on Nicholson’s casting in the DC Universe series.
In a recent interview with Collider’s Perri Nemiroff, Nemiroff asked Brooks if she had any hand in Nicholson’s DCU casting. Brooks responded directly,
“No. Heck no. Brother’s so talented. He didn’t need me on that one. But we did talk about it because he already knew that he was going to be doing it. Even his facial hair, he was struggling with that because he had to have it a certain way for his character in that, but nah, that was him! That was him.”
Danielle Brooks Lanterns role remains distinct from her involvement in other DC projects, underscoring Nicholson’s independent achievement.
J. Alphonse Nicholson Reflects on Working with HBO and James Gunn
Following Brooks’s remarks, Perri Nemiroff asked Nicholson about his experience filming Lanterns and how it compared to smaller productions. Nicholson shared that navigating the high-profile HBO environment was both exciting and a chance to elevate his craft. He explained,
“Oh man, that’s such a great question. You’re a great interview. You know what? You live in the moment, right? Thankfully, it all worked out that being clean-shaven worked on both projects, you know what I’m saying? I didn’t have to do too much hair and makeup. We had a conversation about what it’s like working with James Gunn, and the levels and the complexity. So being on an HBO set, being on an independent set, but also being able to do the same level of work, different budgets, but same level of work, was really amazing for me. So, not only can I not wait for people to see Lanterns, but I’m really excited for audiences to see If I Go Will They Miss Me. And yeah, DC? Come on. That’s really dope.”
Nicholson’s enthusiasm highlights both the challenges and rewards of shifting between different types of productions.
Insights into the Tone and Style of HBO’s Lanterns
The gritty, mature qualities of Lanterns have drawn comparisons to acclaimed shows like True Detective. Actor Nathan Fillion, who portrays Guy Gardner in Lanterns, shared in a July interview with ScreenRant how the tone contrasts significantly with his lighter role in Peacemaker. He detailed,
“I’ll tell you — it’s the same character, but in different circumstances. In his [Guy Gardner] circumstances in Peacemaker, it’s very lighthearted and fun; and his circumstances in Lanterns, the stakes are a lot higher. It doesn’t change the character, but he’s certainly dealing with that situation that he’s in. And I’ll say this — I dropped more F-bombs on my first day on Lanterns than I had in my entire career put together.”
When asked if these explicit lines were scripted or improvised, Fillion confirmed the swearing was in the script, emphasizing the show’s intense atmosphere.
Lanterns is scheduled to premiere on HBO and will be available to stream on HBO Max this summer, setting expectations for a dark and complex addition to the DC Universe television lineup.
Anticipation Builds for Lanterns as a Unique DCU Entry
With a powerful ensemble and creative leadership including James Gunn, Lanterns promises to be a compelling exploration of well-known characters through a more adult lens. The series brings together celebrated actors such as Aaron Pierre and Kyle Chandler alongside Nicholson and Brooks, bridging various elements of the DC franchise and independent filmmaking. As Nicholson highlighted, the experience of working on Lanterns involved navigating both the higher production values of HBO and the narrative depth expected in the DC Universe.
Danielle Brooks’s clarification about her role in Nicholson’s casting dispels rumors but underscores the collaborative spirit among DC actors. Meanwhile, Nicholson’s excitement and Fillion’s remarks paint a picture of a show committed to exploring darker themes while staying true to its characters.
