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

James Gunn's upcoming reboot of the DC Cinematic Universe introduces a fresh take on Superman, and alongside this new vision comes Nathan Fillion's portrayal of Green Lantern, specifically Guy Gardner. In a recent interview with TV Guide, Fillion shed light on how his version of the character will differ from previous iterations on both the big and small screens. Interestingly, he described his Guy Gardner as less than charming, stating, "He's a jerk!" Fillion explained that being a Green Lantern doesn't require goodness, just fearlessness, which perfectly encapsulates Gardner's character. "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 elaborated.

Fillion also touched on Gardner's hubris, suggesting that his character's overconfidence might be his true superpower. "I think if he has a superpower, it might be his overconfidence, in that he thinks he could take on Superman,” he said, adding humorously, “He can't!"

This new Superman film marks the beginning of an entirely rebooted DC Cinematic Universe under the chapter titled "Gods and Monsters." Beyond this film, the Green Lanterns continue to captivate audiences. HBO is currently filming a series called "Lanterns," which will delve into the lives of other members of the superhero alliance, featuring Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. The series is slated to premiere in 2026.

The cast of Gunn's Superman includes David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Milly Alcock as Supergirl, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The film, written and directed by James Gunn, is scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.