The first trailer for Superman gave audiences their first look at the new DC Universe, and that included a brief appearance by Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, which looks extremely strange. While dedicated fans are well aware of the Green Lanterns and their stories, casual audiences only saw one Green Lantern in the film starring Ryan Reynolds. This has led to confusion over why Fillion looks the way he does in 2025 Superman film. 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 had many canceled appearances, including one in Zack Snyder's Justice Leaguewhere he was replaced by Martian Manhunter due to studio plans for the character never coming to fruition. Fortunately, the Green Lantern Corps will enter the new DCU in a big way with the upcoming release of the HBO series. Flashlightsa new series that explores 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 will play Guy Gardner in the cast of Supermanone of the lesser humans who carried the green power ring. Face Gardner was created in 1968, but gained more prominence in the 1980s and 1990s when he became a member of the Justice League. Impulsive and headstrong, Gardner is a fan favorite of many comic book readers, although he is generally not as highly regarded as figures like John Stewart and Hal Jordan.
Nathan Fillion had a long relationship with director James Gunn. Fillion appeared in Swipe, Superand Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Your role in Superman quickly plays into the idea that the new DCU is launching fully formed, with all sorts of heroes already established in the world. Appearing in brief scenes in the trailers alongside Isabela Merced's Hawkgirl, the character appears to have a notable relationship with Superman and the superhero industry in the upcoming film.
Why Guy Gardner Looks That Way In Superman
Fillion sports an unconventional look in upcoming film
There are two strange things about Guy Gardner's appearance in Superman. The first feature is his unusual hair. In the comics, Guy Gardner has an ugly, bright orange cut. During the film's production, Gunn made it clear that giving Fillion this unusual look was part of the reason Gunn cast him. This iconic look is important to the character, and while it may look a little ugly, it helps solidify this Green Lantern as totally different from any previous iteration seen on screen.
The other unusual part of Fillion's look has to do with his costume itself. Instead of wearing a green suit like most members of the Green Lantern Corps, the actor is dressed in a white outfit. Many have speculated, especially since Isabela Merced appears to wear a similar outfit, that Green Lantern and other heroes will be part of a superhero institution marketed and sponsored in the film. Details on this have yet to be seen, but the outfits appear to share corporate branding rather than comic book-accurate branding.
Fillion's look in the latest Superman trailer is unexpected, but appears to be true to the character's comic book roots. As Gunn builds the new DCU, the paradigms of a new world must be established, and allowing characters to look weird and crazy like Fillion's can contribute to this. The world of Superman will expand rapidly, with a roster of new and familiar heroes filling the spaces of this world. Hopefully Fillion's appearance contributes to a cohesive vision of DC.
Upcoming DC film releases