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

Nathan Fillion is set to bring a unique twist to the character of Green Lantern in James Gunn's upcoming Superman film, which marks the beginning of a rebooted DC Cinematic Universe. In a recent interview with TV Guide, Fillion described his portrayal of Guy Gardner as decidedly uncharming, emphasizing that the character's defining trait is fearlessness rather than goodness.

"He's a jerk!" Fillion exclaimed, highlighting that being a Green Lantern doesn't require moral virtue, just courage. "What's important to know is, you don't have to be good to be a Green Lantern; you just have to be 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 hubris, suggesting that his character's overconfidence might be his true superpower. "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!"

The new Superman film, set to release on July 11, 2025, will introduce the first chapter of the new DCU, titled "Gods and Monsters." Alongside Fillion, the cast includes David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Milly Alcock as Supergirl, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The film is both written and directed by James Gunn.

In addition to the film, the Green Lanterns are also the focus of an upcoming HBO series titled "Lanterns," set to premiere in 2026. This series will explore other members of the superhero alliance, with Kyle Chandler playing Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre portraying John Stewart.