Danielle Brooks has firmly denied any role in assisting J. Alphonse Nicholson to secure his Lanterns role in HBO’s upcoming DC Universe (DCU) series. Despite the show not yet having an official release date, anticipation around Lanterns remains high, largely thanks to an impressive ensemble cast that includes Aaron Pierre, Kyle Chandler, Poorna Jagannathan, and Ulrich Thomsen. Nicholson portrays the younger John Stewart Sr., with Sherman Augustus playing the older version. The topic of Brooks’s involvement arose during an interview for Nicholson’s latest film, If I Go Will They Miss You, where both actors appear.
Insights from Actor Interviews on Their Work in Lanterns
During the discussion with Collider’s Perri Nemiroff, Brooks addressed whether she had any hand in Nicholson’s casting for the HBO DCU series. She categorically denied this, remarking on Nicholson’s talent and the fact that he had already been cast before they discussed it.
“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,”
Brooks explained.
Following Brooks’s comments, Nicholson elaborated on his experience working on the Lanterns set and how it compared to other projects he has done. He praised the professionalism and production quality of HBO sets, highlighting his collaborations with director James Gunn. Nicholson said,
“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.”
The Tone and Style of HBO’s Lanterns: A Darker Edge
The upcoming series has been described as possessing a gritty atmosphere, drawing inspiration from shows like True Detective. Actor Nathan Fillion, who also appears in Lanterns, shed light on its intense tone during an interview with ScreenRant. Fillion contrasted his character Guy Gardner’s portrayal in Lanterns to his lighter, more comedic role in Peacemaker. He revealed,
“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 whether the heavy use of profanity on set was scripted or improvised, Fillion confirmed it was included in the script, emphasizing the serious, dramatic nature of Lanterns. This tonal shift suggests the new show aims to deliver a deeper, more intense storytelling experience that diverges from previous DCU series.
What Viewers Can Expect and When to Watch
Lanterns will be available on HBO and HBO Max this summer, offering fans of the DC Universe a fresh yet darker take on the iconic characters and stories. With a star-studded cast and a high production value, the show is poised to engage audiences eager for a mature, complex superhero narrative. The involvement of acclaimed creators such as James Gunn and the emotionally charged performances by actors like Nicholson and Brooks further heighten expectations.
As conversations around the series continue, fans and critics alike will be watching closely to see how Lanterns distinguishes itself within the superhero genre while maintaining connections to the familiar DC lore.
