James Gunn gave the role of Guy Gardner to his frequent collaborator Nathan Fillion without much thought. For Fillion, playing a Green Lantern in DCU is almost a childhood dream come true. It is not the Castle star’s first time playing the Green Lantern role in DC. He has given voice to Hal Jordan in several DC animated projects.
Fillion had opened up about playing the DC character in live-action movies in the past. It was clear from his comments that he never expected one to come his way, which makes Gunn’s casting even more special.
Nathan Fillion Shared His DC Dream Once Which Became True With The Guy Gardner Role
Nathan Fillion will make his debut as Guy Gardner in James Gunn‘s upcoming DCU film, Superman. Fillion’s association with Gunn began in the 2012 independent superhero film, Super. He was part of Gunn’s films like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and The Suicide Squad.
The Rookie actor earlier voiced the role of Hal Jordan/Green Lantern in several DC animated projects, including Emerald Knights, Justice League: Doom, and 2019’s Reign of the Supermen. During the promotion of Doom, Fillion appeared for an interview with Comics Worth Reading.
The host joked that Fillion had full equity of Green Lantern since he had played the role many times. However, Fillion humbly refused to take ownership of the character, joking that there were other actors who owned the character. He believed that Ryan Reynolds should take sole ownership of Hal Jordan after his 2011 film.
Fillion went on to share that he hoped to become a poor man’s Green Lantern. He shared with Comics Worth Reading:
I don’t think I can take full equity in this character — too many people have a chunk. Ryan Reynolds gets the right-of-way on this one. Right now, I feel pretty Green Lantern-ish. But sooner or later, I think I’ll be a poor man’s Green Lantern.
Fillion had to wait until The Suicide Squad premiere to finally realize his dream. He revealed to Collider that James Gunn informed him about his casting in Superman during this premiere party.
Nathan Fillion Pretended To Be Green Lantern When He Was A Kid
During the promotion of Green Lantern: Emerald Knights, Nathan Fillion revealed to Reel Life with Jane that he pretended to be the DC character as a kid. He shared that the character was one of the easiest superheroes to pull off in a costume.
Fillion explained that Superman needed a cape and Spider-Man needed a full face mask, but all Green Lantern needed was a ring. He shared that all he needed to do was to pick the right-sized, lime lifesaver gummy to wear on his finger. Fillion shared with Reel Life with Jane:
As a child, when you’re pretending you’re different superheroes, Green Lantern was the easiest because all you needed to light the fire in the imagination was the ring. Superman, you need a cape; Spiderman, you need a full face mask.
That wasn’t tough to come by in a winter town like where I’m from, but they’re just too hot to wear in the summer. So to be Green Lantern, all you needed to do is suck a lifesaver down to the right size — make sure it’s a lime one – slip it on your finger, and you were good.
Fillion would be an interesting addition to Gunn’s universe, but he still has a tight TV schedule as he is currently working on the sixth season of the ABC series The Rookie. Fans will get to see him in Superman and probably in the Lanterns series that’s being developed.
Superman will hit theatres worldwide on July 11, 2025.
