The first trailer forSupermangave audiences their first look at the newDC Universe, and this included a brief appearance by Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, who looks extremely strange. While more dedicated fans are well aware of the Green Lanterns and their stories, casual audiences have only seen one Green Lantern in the film starring Ryan Reynolds. This has led to confusion about why Fillion looks the way that he does inthe 2025Supermanmovie. Notably, there are comic book, and other precedents, to examine here.
Green Lantern has been one of the most underserved heroes in recent superhero media. The character has had many canceled appearances, including one inZack Snyder’s Justice League, where he was replaced with Martian Manhunter due to studio plans for the character that never came together. Fortunately, the Green Lantern Corps will enter the new DCU in a big way with theupcoming release of HBO’sLanterns, a new series that is set to explore various characters from the comics.
Which Green Lantern Is Nathan Fillion Playing In Superman?
Nathan Fillion’s Iteration Was Announced When He Was Cast
Nathan Fillion is playing Guy Gardner in thecast ofSuperman, one of the lesser humans who have carried the green power ring.GuyGardner was created in 1968 but became more prominent in the 1980s and 1990s, where he went on to become a member of the Justice League.Impulsive and headstrong, Gardner is a fan-favorite for many readers of the comics, although he is generally not as highly regarded as figures like John Stewart and Hal Jordan.
Who Is Superman’s Green Lantern: Guy Gardner’s Powers & Origin Explained
Nathan Fillion plays the famed Green Lantern Guy Gardner in the DCU’s Superman, bringing one of DC Comics’ most complex heroes to life in franchise.
Nathan Fillion has had a long relationship with director James Gunn. Fillion appeared inSlither,Super, andGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.His role inSupermanquickly services the idea that the new DCU is launching fully formed, with all kinds of heroes already established in the world.Appearing in brief shots of the trailers alongside Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl, the character appears to have a notable relationship with Superman and with the superhero industry in the upcoming film.
Why Guy Gardner Looks Like That In Superman
Fillion Sports An Unconventional Look In The Upcoming Film
There are two strange things about Guy Gardner’s appearance inSuperman. The first feature is his unusual hair.In the comics, Guy Gardner has an ugly, bright-orange bowl cut.During production of the film, Gunn made it clear that giving this unusual look to Fillion was part of Gunn’s reason for casting him. This iconic look is important to the character and, while it may look somewhat ugly, it helps to solidify this Green Lantern as entirely different from any previous iteration seen onscreen.
Fillion’s look in the latest Superman trailer is unexpected, but it appears to be faithful to the character’s comic book roots.As Gunn constructs the new DCU, the paradigms of a new world must be set,and allowing characters to have strange and zany looks like Fillion’s can play into that. The world ofSupermanwill expand quickly, with a roster of heroes both new and familiar filling the spaces of that world. Hopefully, Fillion’s appearance contributes to a cohesive vision of DC.
Superman
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Superman (2025): Superman follows the dual life of Clark Kent, a journalist in Metropolis, as he endeavors to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Set against a backdrop of personal discovery, the film explores his journey of identity as he navigates his existence in a complex world.
