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

A fresh take on Superman is on the way, courtesy of James Gunn, and alongside him, Nathan Fillion will bring a unique version of Green Lantern to life. In a recent interview with TV Guide, Fillion shed light on his portrayal of Guy Gardner, emphasizing a departure from previous iterations of the character. "He's a jerk!" Fillion stated, highlighting that bravery, not goodness, is the key attribute for a Green Lantern. "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 pointed out that Gardner's alter ego suffers from a bit of hubris. "I think if he has a superpower, it might be his overconfidence, in that he thinks he could take on Superman," the actor noted. "He can't!"

This upcoming Superman film marks the debut of a completely rebooted DC Cinematic Universe, spearheading the new DCU's first chapter, dubbed "Gods and Monsters." The interest in Green Lanterns extends beyond the film, with HBO currently producing a series titled "Lanterns," focusing on other members of the superhero alliance. Kyle Chandler will portray Hal Jordan, and Aaron Pierre will play John Stewart in this series, set to premiere in 2026.

The cast of Superman is robust, featuring David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Milly Alcock as Supergirl, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. James Gunn, who wrote and directed the film, has set its release date for July 11, 2025.