‘Superman’ Star Nathan Fillion Explains Guy Gardner’s Look — and What Filming ‘Lanterns’ Was Like

Technically Nathan Fillion has been playing a Green Lantern for over a decade. He’s been the go-to guy to voice Hal Jordan in a bunch of DC animated projects. We’re talking stuff like “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights,” “Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox,” “Reign of the Supermen,” and many more. Oh, and let’s not forget the handful of “Robot Chicken” DC specials where he voiced Hal with a whole lot of meta energy.

But this is the first time he’s suiting up in live action; and it’s not as the straight-laced Hal Jordan. Nope. In the new “Superman” film, Fillion steps into the role of Guy Gardner, who’s basically Hal’s louder, angrier, messier cousin. 

And yes, Fillion’s fully aware that this casting feels like a full-circle moment for longtime fans. “That has not escaped my attention,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “Yes, it’s fun like that. The people who are making it, giving a sly nod to the audience: ‘If you know, it’s an inside joke.’”

So if you’ve been following his voice work this whole time, this feels like the live-action payoff. And if you haven’t? Buckle up. Gardner isn’t just a different Lantern.. he’s a whole different problem.

The Bowl Cut Is Real. The Attitude? Even Bigger.

While “Superman” will introduce Nathan Fillion’s version of Guy Gardner to audiences, “Lanterns” is where we’ll really see him hit full throttle. And by “full throttle,” we mean loud, reckless, and dropping F-bombs like confetti. “In that show,” Fillion continued speaking with EW. “I’ve dropped more F-bombs in that project than I have in, I think, my entire career put together.” So yeah, if you’re expecting chill? That’s not what this Lantern ordered.

For longtime comic fans, Gardner’s whole brand is mostly being a disaster, who punches things in space. And Fillion totally gets the assignment. “Guy Gardner is about 98 percent flawed,” he said. “So he is a goldmine of opportunity for comedy. I always felt it was difficult to make people laugh, but it’s easy to let people laugh at you.”

Then there’s that haircut. It’s not just a choice… it’s a full character statement. “It started with something that looked very much like He-Man, then moved towards more of a Justin Bieber, and then finally settled into the bowl cut itself,” Fillion explained. “It is not a small decision to have a character have a goofy haircut like that. So there were thoughts about other hairstyles, but my opinion was, this is canon. If you don’t do it, you’re going to hear about it.”

And James Gunn clearly agreed. 

What We Know About ‘Lanterns’ and Fillion’s Role

But don’t get it twisted; “Lanterns” isn’t shaping up to be a total comedy hour. The series is being described as a grounded, yet gritty mystery featuring Green Lanterns, Hal Jordan and John Stewart, investigating something dark and dangerous on Earth. Gardner, of course, will crash the party as the volatile wildcard in the lineup… probably punching first and asking zero questions later.

And while Fillion’s voiced Hal Jordan in animated form for years, this is his first time suiting up in live action. That distinction isn’t lost on him. “There’s been a bunch of people now who have played Hal Jordan,” he told EW, “but I’m the first live-action Guy Gardner. If there’s to be another, I’ll still be the first. So I think I’m in a great spot.”

The bottom line: Fillion’s been circling the Green Lantern mythology for years, but now he finally gets to bring one to life… in all his loud, chaotic, F-bomb-dropping glory. And we’ll be there for every second of it.

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