Who Is Guy Gardner, and Is He a Green Lantern in ‘Superman?’

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  • Guy Gardner’s DC Comic History
  • Guy Gardner’s Role in ‘Superman’ and the Future of the DCU

As a lifelong comic book fan and someone who has been following Guy Gardner’s antics for decades, I must say that the news about his upcoming role in James Gunn’s Superman is nothing short of thrilling! Growing up with the Green Lantern backup character, I remember the days when his awful bowl haircut and brash attitude were the talk of the town. But as we’ve seen over the years, Guy Gardner has evolved into a more nuanced character, one that I believe James Gunn will bring to life in a fantastic way.

Following plenty of excitement, the long-awaited trailer for Superman has been unveiled! The teaser is brimming with stunning visuals and an energetic reinterpretation of John Williams’ iconic Superman melody. However, it isn’t shots of Superman, Lois Lane, or even Krypto that have viewers talking. Instead, attention is drawn to Nathan Fillion sporting a bad bowl cut while emitting a green beam from his finger – a clear hint this Green Lantern is different from the one we usually know.

In this text, Fillion portrays the lesser-known character from the Green Lantern comic series, named Guy Gardner. Apart from a minor appearance in Young Justice and a few episodes on the short-lived Green Lantern TV show, Guy Gardner has not garnered much recognition among mainstream audiences compared to characters such as Hal Jordan, John Stewart, or Jessica Cruz. However, the news of Superman featuring a Green Lantern character, specifically Guy Gardner, comes as an intriguing development for fans. With the background of the character’s comic book history and James Gunn collaborating with star Nathan Fillion, there is a possibility that Guy Gardner could become a breakout character. Here’s all you need to know about the lesser-known Green Lantern, Guy Gardner.

Guy Gardner’s DC Comic History

Guy Gardner first appeared in Green Lantern Volume 2, specifically in March of 1968. This character was brought to life by the creative minds of John Broome and Gil Kane. After Alan Scott from the Golden Age and Hal Jordan, who became quite popular during the Silver Age, Guy Gardner holds the title as DC’s third Green Lantern. Interestingly, comics suggest that out of two potential recipients for Abin Sur’s ring upon its crash, the ring chose Hal Jordan because he was nearer. In the event of any mishap with Hal Jordan, Guy Gardner would serve as a backup Lantern.

The 1980s significantly shaped Guy Gardner’s character in the Green Lantern comics. Writer Steve Englehart and artist Joe Staton portrayed him as an exaggerated representation of a hyper-masculine American male, boosting his aggression levels. This depiction became a crucial aspect of Gardner, influencing his persona throughout Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire’s tenure on Justice League International, which established Gardner as a familiar figure in the DC Universe – “that guy” who many other heroes dislike, even earning a slap from Batman. During this period, Gardner also gained notoriety for his hot-headed and vocal nature, contrasting Hal Jordan and the then-established John Stewart.

In the 1990s, writer Beau Smith reworked Gardner’s comic series with the intention of making him a more relatable protagonist by adding depth and vulnerability to his character. This transformation portrayed Gardner as a tough, gruff hero who hid a tender heart beneath his rough exterior. Essentially, Guy Gardner embodies the spirit of a fighter, which is further emphasized by his instinct to act first and think later, making him an ideal fit for The Red Lantern Corps. Wielding the Red Lantern ring during “War of the Green Lanterns” from 2010 to 2011, Gardner was officially inducted into the Corps in issue #21 of Red Lanterns, published in June 2013.

In that very year, Geoff Johns brought his nine-year tenure on the Green Lantern comic books to a close with a storyline called “The End”. The concluding issue provided a look at what could be expected for the primary Green Lantern characters as depicted in the comics. It presents an aged Guy Gardner in a space tavern who brutally subdues an alien attempting to instigate a fight. The comic reads, “Should you find yourself in the correct bar within the appropriate space sector, you might still encounter him. You may hear tales from an old, battle-worn soldier reminiscing about the Sinestro Corps War and the Blackest Night. Guy Gardner… The Fighter.

Guy Gardner’s Role in ‘Superman’ and the Future of the DCU

In the upcoming “Superman” movie, the role will be played by Nathan Fillion, who has a history with the character. For many years, fans wanted him to play the Green Lantern Hal Jordan in films during the 2000s, but that role ultimately went to Ryan Reynolds in the 2011 film. However, Fillion did lend his voice to Hal Jordan in five animated films: “Green Lantern: Emerald Knights” (2011), “Justice League: Doom” (2012), “Justice League: Flashpoint Paradox” (2013), “Justice League: Throne of Atlantis” (2014), and “Reign of Supermen” (2019). The fact that Fillion is now cast as Green Lantern, albeit not Hal Jordan, but rather his initial understudy, adds a delightful touch of humor to the casting.

In the Superman trailer, a fleeting appearance is made by Guy Gardner, who dons his iconic, questionable bowl cut hairstyle from the 1980s. This hairstyle, once popular but now outdated, seems to be embraced by director James Gunn and actor Nathan Fillon as part of Gardner’s persona, even finding it stylish. The film is likely to incorporate humor around this distinctive haircut.

In the brief sneak peek of him in the trailer, it appears that the character played by Fillion might possess a bit of a strong-willed demeanor, potentially leading to significant conflicts with the optimistic Superman. The intrigue lies in whether Gardner will exhibit deeper layers of his character as the comics progress, eventually softening towards Superman or meeting an untimely end in defiance against the enigmatic film villain. Despite Fillion’s previous roles as a fun supporting character in Gunn’s movies like Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, and his leading role in Gunn’s directorial debut Slither, there is a strong possibility that Gunn aims to develop Gardner into more than just a one-dimensional character. Indeed, he will undoubtedly pose challenges for Superman, but he also has the potential to be transformed by Superman’s influence and become a better person in the process.

It’s intriguing to note that Gardner isn’t the sole Green Lantern we’ll see in the DCU. The upcoming HBO series “Lanterns” is about to start filming, and it stars Kyle Chandler (from “Friday Night Lights”) as Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre (from “Rebel Ridge”) as John Stewart. This show seems to portray Jordan as a seasoned Green Lantern, while Stewart appears to be a fresh recruit, much like a rookie in a buddy cop scenario.

It seems that so far, Jordan has predominantly served as a Green Lantern off-world, while Gardner has been the chief Lantern on Earth, collaborating with other superheroes. However, there are rumors about Guy Gardner playing a minor part in Lanterns. The main characters in this story will be Hal Jordan and John Stewart, who appears to be taking over as the primary Green Lantern for the DCU.

Gunn excels at transforming initially dislikable characters into admirable heroes, such as Nebula, Adam Warlock, and Peacemaker. It’s intriguing to ponder how he might breathe new life into a character like Guy Gardner, who is sometimes perceived as flat or one-dimensional, potentially turning him into another beloved figure in the growing DC Universe. Meanwhile, Superman graces the big screen on July 11, 2025.

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2024-12-19 22:32