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

James Gunn's new take on the DC Universe introduces a fresh version of Superman, and alongside him, Nathan Fillion steps into the role of Green Lantern, specifically Guy Gardner. In a candid interview with TV Guide, Fillion revealed that his portrayal of Gardner will diverge significantly from previous iterations of the character. "He's a jerk!" Fillion exclaimed, emphasizing that being a Green Lantern doesn't require goodness, but rather fearlessness. "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, suggesting that his character's overconfidence might be considered a superpower. "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 first entry in a rebooted DC Cinematic Universe and serves as the inaugural chapter of the new DCU, titled "Gods and Monsters." The interest in the Green Lanterns extends beyond the film, as HBO is currently producing a series called "Lanterns," featuring Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, 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.