Nathan Fillion Talks What We Can Expect from “Jerk” Guy Gardner: “He thinks he could take on Superman. He can’t!”

Nathan Fillion is set to play Green Lantern Guy Gardner in the upcoming “Superman” movie, directed by James Gunn. In recent interviews, the actor shared insights about his character, revealing a fresh take on the iconic DC hero. Unlike other Green Lanterns fans may know, Fillion’s Gardner stands out for his rough personality and fearless attitude.

Fillion explained what makes his Guy Gardner unique. “He’s a jerk!” he said. “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.”

He added, “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 portrayal draws from the character’s comic roots, particularly the 1980s Justice League International run, where Gardner was known as a brash, difficult hero.

The film, hitting theaters on July 11, 2025, marks the start of Gunn’s reboot of the DC Universe (DCU). Fillion, a longtime friend of Gunn, steps into the role after years of fans hoping he’d play Hal Jordan, another Green Lantern.

Instead, he’s bringing Guy Gardner to life, complete with a comic-accurate bowl cut seen in the trailer. This version of the character is a departure from the more heroic Green Lanterns audiences might expect, leaning into his rude and overconfident traits.

Gardner isn’t the only Green Lantern in the DCU’s future. In 2026, HBO will launch “Lanterns,” a series featuring Kyle Chandler as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre as John Stewart. Fillion’s Gardner is expected to appear there too, though details about his role remain unclear.

In “Superman,” he seems to be part of a corporate superhero team alongside characters like Mister Terrific and Hawkgirl. His bold personality could clash with Superman’s kindness, possibly pushing Gardner to grow as a hero over time.

Created by John Broome and Gil Kane in 1968, Guy Gardner first appeared as a backup Green Lantern in “Green Lantern vol. 2 #59.” His loud, hotheaded nature took shape in the 1980s, making him a standout in comics. Gunn’s DCU seems to pull from this era, with other Justice League International elements like Maxwell Lord and plans for Blue Beetle and Booster Gold projects.

“Superman” stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, with a supporting cast including Isabela Merced and Edi Gathegi. The movie lands in theaters and IMAX nationwide on July 11, 2025, and internationally starting July 9, 2025, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

What do you think about Fillion’s description of the character? Let us know in the comments below.