Nathan Fillion has opened up about bringing Guy Gardner into the new DCU series Lanterns, which has a more grounded tone. The actor revealed his one major concern when he was approached for the role.
Fillion reprised his role as Guy Gardner in the sixth episode of Lanterns. Speaking with Variety, the 55-year-old said that he was surprised when he was asked to return, given the different tone compared to his previous appearance.
“My concern was consistency. I knew there was going to be a shift in tone. What I didn’t want was for there to be a shift in the character himself,” Fillion said. “So I just likened it much to, if you were to spend a weekend in Metropolis, or spend a weekend in Gotham — you’d be the same person, but you’d have very different weekends.”
What does Guy Gardner do in the recent episode of Lanterns?
Guy appears in the sixth episode, “Bad Optics,” which shifts the story back to the 2026 timeline. Before he appears in person, viewers see the comedic character on a billboard promoting an energy drink.
John Stewart arrives in Rushville to investigate Hal’s death. Guy has already set up a beacon in the center of town, a Green Lantern version of the Bat-Signal. John uses that beacon to summon Guy.
He asks Guy to retrieve Hal’s decommissioned ring and uniform from the Guardians. He wants to use them for Hal’s funeral. Guy initially refuses, saying helping with the murder investigation would be “bad optics.”
John convinces him by reminding him that he would not be Earth’s current Green Lantern if John had not passed on the opportunity a decade earlier. Guy agrees to help and also reveals that Sinestro has escaped from prison.
Lanterns Episode 7 is set to premiere on September 27, 2026, on HBO Max. Fillion will also reprise his role in James Gunn’s Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow. It is scheduled to release next year.
