Lanterns: Nathan Fillion Explains Guy Gardner's Return and DCU Role

In the latest episode of Lanterns, actor Nathan Fillion portrays Guy Gardner, who joins the series after a five-episode absence. Gardner takes on the role of the new Green Lantern following John Stewart's departure. Fillion explains that this character addition connects Lanterns to the broader DC Universe, likening Guy Gardner to a "growing thread across the franchise."

The story unfolds in the 2026 timeline, where Guy Gardner encounters John Stewart in jail after receiving a distress signal from Rushville. Initially hesitant, Guy eventually helps John, leading to John reminding him of his past indebtedness. This exchange forces Guy to confront his need to prove himself.

As the third choice for Earth's Green Lantern after Hal Jordan and John Stewart, Guy Gardner is deeply invested in his identity as a superhero. Fillion notes that wearing the ring holds great significance for Guy, granting him authority and attention. However, his ambitions go beyond the Green Lantern mantle, as he desires to become a famous Green Lantern, emphasizing his need for recognition and proving himself.

Nathan Fillion's portrayal of Guy Gardner is rooted in his familiarity with comic books. Having grown up reading comics, Fillion has previously worked with DC characters, including voicing them in animated series and Marvel projects. Despite initially disliking Guy Gardner, Fillion recognized the character's potential for development, drawing from Guy's comic-book history and his past experiences, such as a bus accident that left him in a coma.

This traumatic event shaped Guy's personality, contributing to his unpredictable nature and strong drive to establish his worth.

Lanterns, produced under the direction of James Gunn and Peter Safran, represents the expanding DC Universe. Fillion appreciates the series' unique approach to superhero storytelling, where extraordinary events blend seamlessly with everyday life in Middle America and rural settings. This allows Guy Gardner to explore a wider range of experiences beyond the traditional superhero setting of Metropolis.

Looking ahead, Fillion is set to reprise his role as Guy Gardner in Man of Tomorrow, a film scheduled for release in 2027. The movie will further explore the Green Lantern community and Guy's relationship with John Stewart. Additionally, Guy Gardner will appear in the animated series Mister Miracle, and Fillion has already recorded his voice work for the project.

Fillion believes that these appearances showcase the interconnected nature of superheroes within the DC Universe, as they can be found across various aspects of society, from billboards to major superhero events.