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

James Gunn's upcoming Superman film marks the dawn of a fresh DC Cinematic Universe, and with it, fans are introduced to Nathan Fillion's unique take on Green Lantern, specifically Guy Gardner. In a recent interview with TV Guide, Fillion candidly shared that his portrayal of Gardner deviates from the usual charm associated with the character, describing him as a "jerk."

Fillion elaborated on his character's traits, emphasizing that being a Green Lantern doesn't require goodness but fearlessness. "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,” he stated.

Furthermore, Fillion highlighted Gardner's hubris, suggesting that overconfidence might be his superpower. "I think if he has a superpower, it might be his overconfidence, in that he thinks he could take on Superman. He can't!" the actor added.

This Superman film is the inaugural entry in the rebooted DCU's first chapter, titled "Gods and Monsters." Alongside Fillion's Green Lantern, the movie boasts a stellar cast including 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 slated for release on July 11, 2025.

The DCU isn't the only project exploring the Green Lanterns. HBO is concurrently developing a series titled "Lanterns," featuring Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, with a premiere scheduled for 2026.