Nathan Fillion brings Guy Gardner to live action in Lanterns, marking a pivotal expansion for the character within the DC Universe. Ahead of his HBO debut, Fillion’s portrayal first appears in this year’s Superman film and is set to explore the complexities and bold personality of the lesser-known Green Lantern.
Guy Gardner Steps From Animation to Live Action
Guy Gardner, a Green Lantern known for his brash demeanor and divisive persona within the Justice League, has long been a memorable character in DC’s animated series. On the original Young Justice show, a humorous moment highlighted Gardner’s reputation when John Stewart and Hal Jordan swiftly vetoed his Justice League candidacy. Known for his boundary-pushing attitude, Gardner remains, as Fillion notes, not the type of Lantern most people would seek in a crisis situation.
“I love the idea that if you have an emergency and you need a Green Lantern — there’s thousands of them out there in the galaxy — this is the last one you want,”
—Nathan Fillion, Actor
Having previously voiced various Green Lanterns, Fillion is well-versed in what makes Gardner stand out among the Corps. With Guy’s role expanding beyond voice work, Fillion is now taking on live-action responsibilities for Superman, set to release in July, ahead of reprising the character in Lanterns.
Lanterns Sets the Stage for DC’s Interconnected Universe
In this new era for DC Studios, Lanterns is positioned as a key series, further broadening the interconnected universe created by James Gunn and the DC team. Fillion’s portrayal continues as he joins Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre, who respectively bring Hal Jordan and John Stewart to life in the HBO series. The narrative will challenge Chandler and Pierre’s seasoned, measured Lanterns as they work alongside Fillion’s impulsive Guy Gardner.
According to Fillion, Gardner’s characterization in Lanterns has evolved distinctively for the new format.
“I think he feels a little bit higher strung in Lanterns,”
—Nathan Fillion, Actor. The actor shared insights from filming, noting,
“I’ve done a scene in Lanterns, we filmed it already, where he’s contently smug. It’s neat to see him in different environments and how those different environments will affect a character.”
—Nathan Fillion, Actor
The series is helmed by showrunner Chris Mundy, best known for his work on True Detective: Night Country, with support from executive producers Damon Lindelof and Tom King. Lanterns draws direct inspiration from the Green Lantern Corps, a storied intergalactic police force in DC Comics lore.
Exploring the Story and New Faces in Lanterns
Lanterns’ debut eight-episode season brings the story to America’s heartland, where Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart teams up with Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan to investigate a murder, blending superhero action with a grounded, detective element. The cast also features Ulrich Thomsen as Sinestro, one of DC’s most infamous Lantern adversaries; Kelly Macdonald as Sheriff Kerry; Garret Dillahunt as William Macon, characterized as a contemporary cowboy; and Poorna Jagannathan as Zoe, a potential new romantic interest for Stewart.
Before Lanterns, Fillion’s Guy will be introduced to audiences in the new Superman film as a member of the Justice Gang, alongside Hawkgirl/Kendra Saunders (Isabela Merced) and Mister Terrific (Edi Gathegi). Their team operates under the influential Maxwell Lord, portrayed by Sean Gunn, providing a new alliance for Guy’s big-screen debut.
Guy Gardner’s Philosophy: More Than a Hero
As the DC Universe evolves, Gardner’s role is set to further expand, including an appearance in the upcoming second season of Peacemaker. Fillion highlights what defines Guy Gardner’s unique place in the Green Lantern Corps.
“What is very true about Guy Gardner…is you don’t have to be good and pure of heart to be a Green Lantern. You just have to be fearless. You just have to have the will. And Guy Gardner thinks he can take on Superman. That’s how fearless he is. No, you can’t take on Superman, dude.”
—Nathan Fillion, Actor
The character’s confidence and bravado, combined with his unwillingness to back down, set him apart not only from his colleagues in the Corps but from most other superheroes in the DC Universe.
The Iconic Bowl Cut: Guy Gardner’s Signature Look
Fillion and the Lanterns creative team addressed one of the character’s most recognizable features—his distinctive bowl cut. The choice to retain it was intentional, aimed at capturing Guy’s unique spirit.
“There was talk about a different hairstyle, equally as goofy, but not a bowl cut,”
—Nathan Fillion, Actor. He continued,
“I was Team Bowl Cut the whole time. We did a screen test earlier on with some other actors, and they gave me a test bowl cut wig, like a little mockup wig. I thought it was great. There’s just something about Guy Gardner where the bowl cut says it all for him. The question was, Will people buy the bowl cut? Will people believe it? I said, ‘They already do! It’s already established. It’s canon. I think if we don’t do the bowl cut, then you’re going to hear about it.’ But the argument here is that’s the character. If you want to know something about Guy Gardner, know this: He has a bowl cut and he’s into it. What does that tell you about this guy?”
—Nathan Fillion, Actor
Looking Ahead: Guy Gardner’s Place in the Expanding DC Universe
As filming for Lanterns continues under Chris Mundy’s leadership, with guidance from executive producers Damon Lindelof, Tom King, and DC Studios’ James Gunn, the anticipation grows for Nathan Fillion’s interpretation of Guy Gardner. The actor’s dedication to character nuance and faithfulness to the original comic details aims to create a definitive live-action presence. Guy’s upcoming appearances, from Superman to Peacemaker and Lanterns, signal his growing prominence among DC’s roster of superheroes, offering fans a charged and multidimensional addition to the evolving universe.
