Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner is quickly becoming one of the most recognizable recurring characters in James Gunn’s new DC Universe. What initially looked like a fun supporting role in ‘Superman’ now appears to be turning into something much bigger.
Fillion is set to continue playing the loud, sarcastic Green Lantern across multiple DCU projects.
Guy Gardner Could Connect Multiple Corners Of DCU
After his stint in ‘Superman’ and ‘Peacemaker’, Fillion will be reprising his role as Guy Gardner in HBO’s ‘Lanterns’. But his DCU journey won’t stop there. Tom King has confirmed that Fillion will also appear in the animated ‘Mister Miracle’ series.
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It works because Guy is the type of character who can move easily from one very different story to another without feeling out of place. He’s rude, hilarious and larger than life, and when he’s paired with more serious characters, he can be surprisingly entertaining.
The ‘Lanterns’ series is expected to have a much darker detective tone, with Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart at its center. Guy Gardner’s presence gives the series another flavor entirely. Tom King said that Fillion’s version was “over the top”, a perfect fit for the character. That’s why bringing Guy into Mister Miracle might be a good idea.
“We brought Nathan into Mister Miracle’s show, and doing that, it’s just so wonderful. He brings that energy to every aspect of it. And you would think it would be different tonally from [Lanterns], but it blends because that’s who Guy is. He’s that guy who is over the top. We all know that guy who’s a little bit like that,” he told EW.
Gunn’s universe allows characters to bring their personality across genres without having to be the same tone throughout all DCU projects. His personality also makes him one of the most useful connecting characters in the DCU.
Guy Gardner Might Be The First Piece Of The Justice League International
There could be something bigger beneath these casting choices, too. In the comics, Guy Gardner and Mister Miracle are close friends of the Justice League International. Other pieces are already in the puzzle, like Maxwell Lord, who works behind the scenes with the Justice Gang.
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The Justice Gang that debuted in ‘Superman’ could eventually turn into something like the Justice League International, if Guy keeps his company of characters like Mister Miracle, Booster Gold and maybe even Blue Beetle.
It would be a much more interesting path than to rush headlong towards another traditional Justice League. Fillion’s Guy Gardner is the loudest Green Lantern in the DCU. However, he could also turn out to be one of the most vital linking figures in the series. And considering how naturally Fillion seems to embrace Guy’s ridiculous energy, watching that happen could be a lot of fun.
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