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

James Gunn's upcoming reboot of the DC Cinematic Universe introduces a fresh take on Superman, and alongside it, fans will see Nathan Fillion step into the role of Green Lantern, specifically Guy Gardner. In a recent interview with TV Guide, Fillion shared insights into his unique portrayal of the character, highlighting a departure from previous iterations seen on film and television.

"He's a jerk!" Fillion exclaimed, emphasizing that being a Green Lantern doesn't require goodness, just 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 pointed out that Gardner's alter ego suffers from hubris, suggesting that his overconfidence might be his true superpower. "I think if he has a superpower, it might be his overconfidence, in that he thinks he could take on Superman," Fillion said. "He can't!"

This new Superman film marks the beginning of the DCU's inaugural chapter, "Gods and Monsters." Alongside the cinematic universe, HBO is developing a series called "Lanterns," focusing on other members of the Green Lantern Corps, with Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. The series is slated for a 2026 premiere.

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 set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.

With this exciting lineup, fans are eager to see how these characters will be brought to life in Gunn's vision of the DC Universe.