Aaron Pierre Says His ‘OCD’ Helps in Training for DC’s New Green Lantern

Aaron Pierre is getting in serious shape for his role as DC’s next Green Lantern, and being “mildly OCD” is helping. The star recently detailed his extensive training regime, which includes compound lifts, uphill sprints, and a strict diet centring on the mass consumption of chicken breast. “They’re working me really hard already,” Pierre tells Virgin Radio UK of his personal trainers helping him prepare to play the energy manipulating superhero in the new live-action HBO superhero series, Lanterns. Rebel Ridge is Aaron Pierre’s breakout role. He plays Terry Richmond, a man unfairly targeted by police. Rebel Ridge is Aaron Pierre’s breakout role. He plays Terry Richmond, a man unfairly targeted by police. Netflix “It’s a lot of compound lifts, and it’s a lot of mobility. They don’t want me to be big and not able to move. Like not be able to run to the bus if I need to. Functional fitness. Yes there’s a lot of compound training but there’s also a lot of sprints on the bike, a lot of uphill sprints, and an enormous amount of stretching.” Regarding the all-important nutrition, Pierre says it’s all about “high protein, a lot of greens, a lot of fruits. Chicken breast, very familiar with chicken breast, [and] tuna steaks.” It’s hard to maintain, the actor admits, which is why he advises to switch up the protein every few days with a replacement such as salmon. Pierre won plaudits in 2024 for his breakout role in Netflix thriller Rebel Ridge in which he plays Terry Richmond, a loner unfairly targeted by police. While he’s slimmed down in the months since, he’ll likely be aiming for a similar level of buffness for his role as Green Lantern. “He’s bigger than what I am today” says Pierre of Richmond. “Take me out in a second.” It’s not just his body Pierre is preparing, but his mind too, diving into any Green Lantern material he can in efforts to fully learn the character. “I’m just trying to be the best student I can, trying to get the best grades here,” he says. “It’s comics, it’s film, television series, it’s all of that. Familiarizing myself with things I already know, and then introducing myself to things that I am learning about. I’m mildly OCD, I’m very meticulous as a person. So I really want to leave no stone unturned. I really want to be as prepared as I can going into this.” When does Lanterns release? In Lanterns, Peirre plays new Green Lantern John Stewart. Alongside Lantern legend Hal Jordan (Nathan Fillion), the pair are drawn into a dark mystery on Earth revolving around a grisly murder in middle America. Lanterns releases in 2026 on HBO and Max. “For me this character has already radiated class. He’s always radiated charisma. Strength, identity, so I’m very happy to be bringing him to life in a live action context.” Who is the new Green Lantern? [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpMokr25ipc?si=IgOzOU5YROgjlXCE&w=560&h=315]