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

A new era is dawning for the DC Universe with James Gunn at the helm, and fans are eagerly awaiting the fresh take on iconic characters, including Nathan Fillion's portrayal of Green Lantern, Guy Gardner. In a revealing interview with TV Guide, Fillion shared insights into his unique interpretation of the character, emphasizing a stark departure from previous iterations.

"He's a jerk!" Fillion exclaimed, highlighting a less charming version of the superhero. He elaborated on the essence of being a Green Lantern, stating, "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 touched on Gardner's hubris, suggesting that his character's overconfidence might be his defining trait. "I think if he has a superpower, it might be his overconfidence, in that he thinks he could take on Superman," he said. "He can't!"

This new Superman film marks the inaugural entry in the rebooted DC Cinematic Universe, setting the stage for the chapter titled "Gods and Monsters." While the film focuses on the Man of Steel, the Green Lanterns are also gaining attention elsewhere. HBO is currently filming a series titled "Lanterns," which will explore other members of the superhero alliance, with Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. The series is slated to premiere in 2026.

The cast of Superman is led by 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 scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.