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 reboot of the DC Cinematic Universe brings with it a fresh take on Superman, and alongside him, Nathan Fillion's portrayal of Green Lantern, specifically Guy Gardner. In a recent interview with TV Guide, Fillion shared insights into his unique interpretation of the character, revealing a stark departure from previous iterations.

"He's a jerk!" Fillion exclaimed. He explained that the essence of being a Green Lantern isn't about being good but about being 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 touched on Gardner's overconfidence, humorously noting, "I think if he has a superpower, it might be his overconfidence, in that he thinks he could take on Superman. He can't!"

This new Superman film marks the inaugural chapter of the rebooted DCU, titled "Gods and Monsters." Beyond the cinematic universe, the Green Lanterns are also getting their own spotlight with HBO's upcoming series "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.