Who Is Guy Gardner in DC and Who Is the Actor Playing Him in Superman 2025?

The Green Lantern Corps has long been one of the most iconic and beloved parts of DC’s mythos. But let’s be honest—they’ve been done a bit dirty on the big screen. And yes, before you mention it, we all remember the Ryan Reynolds Green Lantern movie… which is exactly why I said they haven’t gotten the representation they deserve.

Fast forward to 2025, and we’re finally getting a fresh take this time in James Gunn’s Superman. But here’s the twist: it’s not Hal Jordan or John Stewart. It’s Guy Gardner. If that name doesn’t ring a bell, don’t worry, here’s everything you need to know about his origin and why he’s one of the boldest Green Lanterns DC has ever seen.

Who Is Guy Gardner in DC?

Guy Gardner made his comic debut back in 1968 in Green Lantern #59, and his introduction came with a pretty clever twist on Hal Jordan’s origin story. In this issue, we revisit the moment when Abin Sur, one of the most legendary Green Lanterns, crash-lands on Earth, mortally wounded and in need of a successor.

As the story goes, his ring famously chose Hal Jordan. But here’s the twist: the ring didn’t just pick Hal. It also chose a backup candidate, and that backup was none other than Guy Gardner. From that moment on, Guy’s destiny as a Green Lantern was set in motion.

This issue gave us a fascinating what-if scenario. It turns out Hal Jordan only got the ring because he happened to be physically closer to Abin Sur at the time of his crash. If geography had played out differently, Guy Gardner might’ve become Earth’s Green Lantern from the start, but due to circumstances, the ring made Gardner the official backup, meaning if Hal was ever out of commission, Guy would step up and wield the power of the Green Lantern Corps

Talking about Guy, he was a PE teacher and was known for being kind and loving towards his students, However, he was hit by a bus while rescuing one of his students during an earthquake that left him with severe brain damage. Because of this, he was removed from being Hal’s backup, and instead, John Stewart was brought in to fill in for Guy.

What Is Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern Origin?

After his initial introduction, Guy Gardner appeared here and there across DC comics but was eventually sidelined. According to the story, Guy had been trapped in the Phantom Zone, the same extradimensional prison that houses Superman’s worst enemies, including General Zod. While stuck there, Guy was brutally tortured.

And considering he already suffered from pre-existing brain damage, the psychological trauma pushed him over the edge. His mind was completely shattered. Eventually, Superman and Hal Jordan ventured into the Zone to rescue him, barely making it out themselves. But the damage was done, Guy fell into a coma, leaving his fate uncertain for years.

While Guy Gardner remained in an off-panel coma, the Green Lantern mantle saw a major shift. Hal Jordan stepped away from the Corps, and John Stewart officially took over as the Green Lantern of Sector 2814. It genuinely felt like Guy was out of the picture for good. But then came Crisis on Infinite Earths, the massive DC event that changed everything. This was the point where Guy Gardner made his return, and this time, it was for real. The Guardians of the Universe handed him a power ring, officially making him a full-fledged Green Lantern.

What Are Guy Gardner’s Powers as Seen in Superman’s Trailer?

Now, if you’re a DC fanatic, it goes without saying that you’re already familiar with what a Green Lantern, like Guy Gardner, is capable of. But if you’re new to the DC universe, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

Green Lanterns are an intergalactic peacekeeping force operating under the Guardians of the Universe from the planet Oa. Their powers come from a ring that taps into their willpower and transforms it into energy constructs. Whether it’s flight, shields, or conjuring up giant hammers mid-battle, if they can imagine it, the ring can create it. Pretty neat, right?

Talking about Guy Gardner, his powers are pretty much the same as any other Green Lantern. He can use the power ring to fly, create energy constructs, and summon anything he can imagine mid-battle. But here’s something you might be wondering: why did the ring choose someone like Guy Gardner? I mean, the brain damage, the erratic behavior—he doesn’t exactly scream “space cop material,” right?

Well, the answer’s actually pretty straightforward. The ring doesn’t choose based on personality. It chooses based on willpower and an innate sense of nobility, even if the person in question doesn’t fully realize it. And that’s exactly where Guy Gardner fits in. Sure, he can be a pain, rough around the edges, and just plain hard to deal with—but deep down, he’s a hero. That’s why the ring picked him, right alongside Hal Jordan.

Guy Gardner in Justice League International

Even though Guy Gardner was physically fit, everything he endured, especially in the Phantom Zone, left deep psychological scars. The once soft-spoken, kind-hearted PE teacher was now aggressive, hot-headed, and reeking with attitude. When Guy started appearing more frequently in DC comics, fans quickly started liking his sarcastic, over-the-top embodiment of 80s macho-American bravado.

His behaviour made him an outcast among the more disciplined Green Lantern Corps. So, instead of playing nice, Guy joined Justice League International, where his wild energy clicked, and he remained a core member for quite a while. Now, based on the trailers we’ve seen for the upcoming Superman movie, it goes without saying that Guy Gardner will be a part of Superman’s team. From the clips and photos currently out there, it’s confirmed that both Guy and Hawkgirl are wearing costumes that feature the LordTech logo. And if you’re someone who follows DC Comics closely, you already know that Maxwell Lord was the one responsible for forming the Justice League International in DC comics.

So, there’s a pretty good chance we might witness the early formation of the Justice League International in this movie, possibly led by Superman himself. But hey, to be completely sure, let’s hold off on concluding until the movie officially drops.

Who Is the Guy Gardner Actor in Superman (2025)?

Nathan Fillion is playing Guy Gardner in the upcoming Superman film (2025). Despite his long history in the comics, Guy Gardner has barely had any presence on screen, aside from a few scattered appearances in animated DC shows. But that’s finally about to change. James Gunn clearly sees the potential in this chaotic, complex Lantern, and he’s giving Guy the live-action debut he deserves in Superman (2025), with Nathan Fillion set to appear in Superman as Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern.

When Nathan Fillion first popped up in the Superman trailer sporting Guy Gardner’s iconic bowl cut, the internet, unsurprisingly, had mixed feelings. But let’s be honest—comic book fans know that this is peak Guy Gardner energy, and it doesn’t get more accurate than that.

So now, all that’s left is to wait and watch. Until then, I hope this gave you the full download on DC’s most unpredictable Green Lantern before we all walk into theaters to see what James Gunn has in store for fans.