Nathan Fillion's Green Lantern Is a 'Jerk' In James Gunn's Upcoming Superman: 'You Don't Have To Be Good'

A fresh take on Superman is on the horizon, courtesy of James Gunn, and alongside this iconic character, Nathan Fillion will bring to life a unique version of Green Lantern's Guy Gardner. In a recent interview with TV Guide, Fillion delved into what sets his portrayal apart from previous iterations of the character, revealing a less charming, more abrasive side to Gardner.

"He's a jerk!" Fillion exclaimed. "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 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," Fillion noted. "He can't!"

This new Superman film marks the inaugural entry in the rebooted DC Cinematic Universe, kicking off the chapter titled "Gods and Monsters." While the film focuses on the Man of Steel, the Green Lanterns are also gaining attention elsewhere. HBO is currently filming a series titled "Lanterns," which will explore other members of the superhero alliance. Kyle Chandler will portray Hal Jordan, and Aaron Pierre will play John Stewart, with the series slated to premiere in 2026.

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