Nathan Fillion's Green Lantern: A 'Jerk' in Gunn's Superman Film

James Gunn's upcoming film introduces a fresh take on Superman, and alongside it, Nathan Fillion brings to life a unique version of Green Lantern, Guy Gardner. In a recent interview with TV Guide, Fillion shared insights into how his portrayal will differ from previous iterations of the character on both film and television. He described Gardner as less than charming, stating, "He's a jerk! What's important to know is, you don't have to be good to be a Green Lantern; you just have to be fearless. So Guy Gardner is fearless, and he is not very good. He's not nice, which is very freeing as an actor because you just think to yourself, what is the most selfish, self-serving thing I can do in this moment? And that's the answer. That's what you do in that moment."

Fillion also highlighted Gardner's hubris, noting that the character's superpower might be his overconfidence. "I think if he has a superpower, it might be his overconfidence, in that he thinks he could take on Superman," Fillion explained. "He can't!"

This new Superman film marks the beginning of a rebooted DC Cinematic Universe, serving as the inaugural chapter titled "Gods and Monsters." The interest in the Green Lanterns extends beyond the film, with HBO currently in production on a series called "Lanterns," which will explore other members of the superhero alliance. Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre will star as Hal Jordan and John Stewart, respectively, with the series set to premiere in 2026.

The cast of Superman includes David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Milly Alcock as Supergirl, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Written and directed by James Gunn, the film is slated for release on July 11, 2025.