New Look at Guy Gardner and Hawkgirl in ‘Superman’ Revealed

DC fans are getting an exciting new peek at Nathan Fillion and Isabela Merced in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie, set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025. Fillion is stepping into the boots of Green Lantern Guy Gardner, while Merced brings Hawkgirl to life.

Both actors are part of a larger superhero team known as the Justice Gang, which plays a role in the film alongside Superman.

Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner is already turning heads, especially with his look—he’s got that classic Green Lantern outfit and, yes, the bowl cut from the comics.

Fillion insisted on keeping the haircut. He said it was important to him because it’s part of what makes Gardner so recognizable.

Describing the character, Fillion said Gardner is “a fearless, overconfident jerk.” He also mentioned that Gardner is someone who doesn’t hold back and always says what he’s thinking. To get into that mindset, Fillion looked to an unexpected inspiration: Estelle Getty’s Sophia from The Golden Girls.

He pointed out that Gardner wasn’t always like this—“He was hit by a bus and ended up in a coma. That’s what flipped the switch and made him a little off.”

Isabela Merced is playing Hawkgirl, also known as Kendra Saunders. She’s described as a warrior with wings who’s been reincarnated many times, carrying memories and emotional baggage from her past lives. In the film, Hawkgirl is part of the Justice Gang too, and her personality is shaped by the heavy stuff she’s been through.

Merced said that the film’s mix of action and humor helped her character process some of that emotional weight. “It lets her make light of her trauma,” she explained. Hawkgirl’s grumpy attitude is balanced by that sense of self-awareness, which gives the character more depth. Merced also pointed out how her height—just 5’1″—makes her stand out from other heroes, but in a good way.

Interestingly, Merced didn’t tell the Superman filmmakers that she was also cast as another superhero, Anya Corazón in Madame Web. She was worried that doing both might be seen as a problem, but she said the earlier role actually helped her prepare for Hawkgirl.

Director James Gunn has been open about wanting to do something new with Superman while still respecting the character’s legacy. Although the movie includes several other superheroes, Gunn made it clear that this is still Superman’s story at heart. The Justice Gang—where Fillion’s Guy Gardner and Merced’s Hawkgirl come in—is meant to show what Superman is like when he’s working alongside others.

Gunn said he wanted to show more of Superman’s world, including how Clark Kent gets along with co-workers and how Superman deals with other heroes. That’s where the Justice Gang fits in.

Filming began earlier this year, with much of the shoot happening in Georgia and Ohio. The movie is based on the All-Star Superman comics by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely, which Gunn has said were a big inspiration for him.

Superman stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, with Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. But even with these big names, Fillion and Merced are getting plenty of attention for bringing fan-favorite heroes to life in ways that feel fresh and fun.

The movie hits theaters on July 11, 2025, and it’s the first official film in the new DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran’s leadership. Whether you’re in it for Superman, the Justice Gang, or just Fillion’s bowl cut, this one’s already shaping up to be a wild ride.

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