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

James Gunn's upcoming Superman film promises a fresh take on the iconic hero, and it's not just the Man of Steel who's getting a new spin. Nathan Fillion is set to portray Green Lantern's Guy Gardner, and he recently shared insights on how his version of the character will stand out from previous iterations. In an interview with TV Guide, Fillion described Gardner as a "jerk," emphasizing that being a Green Lantern doesn't require goodness, just fearlessness. "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 explained. He also highlighted Gardner's hubris, noting that the character's overconfidence might be his superpower, believing he could take on Superman despite the impossibility of such a feat.

The new Superman film marks the first entry in a completely rebooted DC Cinematic Universe, kicking off the "Gods and Monsters" chapter of the new DCU. Alongside this cinematic venture, HBO is developing a series called Lanterns, focusing on other Green Lanterns, with Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. The series is slated to premiere in 2026.

Superman will star 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.