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

James Gunn's upcoming Superman film introduces a fresh take on the iconic superhero, and with it comes Nathan Fillion's unique portrayal of Green Lantern, Guy Gardner. In a recent interview with TV Guide, Fillion shared insights into his character, revealing a stark contrast to previous iterations of the Green Lantern on both 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 further elaborated on Gardner's character, highlighting his hubris. "I think if he has a superpower, it might be his overconfidence, in that he thinks he could take on Superman," he said. "He can't!" This overconfidence adds a layer of complexity to Gardner's character, making him a compelling addition to the new DC Cinematic Universe.

The new Superman film marks the first entry in the rebooted DCU, titled "Gods and Monsters." Alongside Superman, the film features a stellar cast including 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 premiere on July 11, 2025.

Interest in the Green Lanterns extends beyond the Superman film. HBO is currently developing a series called "Lanterns," which will explore other members of the superhero alliance. Kyle Chandler will portray Hal Jordan, and Aaron Pierre will play John Stewart. The series is slated to premiere in 2026, further expanding the DCU's narrative universe.