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 reboot introduces a new take on Green Lantern, played by Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner. Fillion describes his portrayal as a departure from previous iterations, emphasizing Gardner's less-than-charming personality. "He's a jerk!" Fillion stated, highlighting Gardner's fearlessness as his defining trait, not goodness. This allows for a more selfish, self-serving interpretation of the character, offering Fillion creative freedom. He even suggests Gardner's overconfidence might be considered a superpower, leading him to believe he could take on Superman (though he can't!).

This Superman film marks the beginning of the rebooted DC Cinematic Universe's "Gods and Monsters" chapter. While the film features Gardner, the Green Lantern spotlight isn't solely on him. HBO is concurrently producing a Lanterns series, featuring Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart, slated for a 2026 premiere.

James Gunn's Superman, starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Milly Alcock as Supergirl, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, is set for release on July 11, 2025.