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 is set to introduce a fresh take on the DC universe, featuring Nathan Fillion as the iconic Green Lantern, Guy Gardner. In a recent interview with TV Guide, Fillion shed light on his unique portrayal of the character, which will differ significantly from previous iterations seen 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, noting his hubris and overconfidence. "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 new Superman film marks the first entry in the rebooted DC Cinematic Universe and will kick off the inaugural chapter, dubbed "Gods and Monsters." Alongside Fillion's portrayal of Guy Gardner, the film will feature 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 movie is slated to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.

Interest in the Green Lanterns extends beyond Gunn's film. HBO is currently in production on 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 expected to premiere in 2026.