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, brought to us by James Gunn, and alongside it, Nathan Fillion will be stepping into the role of Green Lantern as Guy Gardner. In a recent interview with TV Guide, Fillion shared insights into his unique interpretation of the character, promising a version that diverges significantly from past portrayals. "He's a jerk!" Fillion exclaimed, 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 also highlighted Gardner’s hubris, suggesting that overconfidence could be considered 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 upcoming Superman film marks the inaugural entry in a rebooted DC Cinematic Universe and will kick off the first chapter titled "Gods and Monsters." Interest in the Green Lanterns extends beyond the film, with HBO currently filming a series called "Lanterns," featuring Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, set to premiere in 2026.

The cast of Superman includes 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 slated for release on July 11, 2025.