Nathan Fillion Green Lantern fans may be surprised to learn that, years before his official casting, an uncanny resemblance between the actor and the comic book hero appeared in DC Comics history. Although Fillion’s journey with the character has taken unexpected turns, both comic readers and audiences have witnessed a remarkable early connection linking him to the iconic role.
Superman’s Surprising Influence on the Gifting of the Power Ring
The roots of this unusual comic book parallel reach back to January 1989, when DC released Action Comics #642. This issue, penned by Elliot S. Maggin with art by Gil Kane and Glenn Whitmore, presented readers with a revision of Green Lantern’s origin story. Traditionally, the extraterrestrial Lantern Abin Sur would seek out a human successor after crashing on Earth, ultimately bestowing the Power Ring upon test pilot Hal Jordan—establishing Jordan as the classic Green Lantern known for his bravery and willpower. However, this storyline introduced an unexpected twist.
Within these pages, Superman was the first person offered the opportunity to join the Green Lantern Corps. Ever principled, Superman declined Abin Sur’s invitation, though he accepted a new role: guiding the dying hero toward the most suitable replacement on Earth. Remembering a particular face from a recent news report, Superman—known to the world as Clark Kent—nominated Hal Jordan as the best candidate to take on the mantle of the Green Lantern. This pivotal comic book moment marked a meaningful shift in the legacy of the superhero, forever intertwining Superman and Hal Jordan’s fates.
What stands out most for Nathan Fillion Green Lantern enthusiasts is the depiction of Hal Jordan in this issue. The artistic rendering presents a headshot and silhouette that eerily echo the features and hairstyle now famously associated with Fillion. Even more striking, the issue published in 1989—when Fillion was still in high school at Holy Trinity Catholic High School in Edmonton, Alberta—suggests this uncanny resemblance wasn’t intentional. The timeline removes any realistic possibility that artist Gil Kane could have drawn direct inspiration from Fillion, sparking debate and amazement among comic historians and devoted fans alike about such a powerful premonition in superhero cinema casting.
Unless Gil Kane possessed unique foresight or supernatural abilities, this resemblance seems to be the result of pure chance. Yet, in the decades-long history of comic book superheroes, such a precise anticipation of a casting choice stands nearly alone. The image of Superman actively selecting Hal Jordan from a lineup of faces takes on a new level of irony and intrigue, considering how widely Fillion would later be embraced as the fan-favorite for the role—years before entering Hollywood’s sights for the part.
Fate and Fandom: From Hal Jordan to Guy Gardner
For years, passionate readers and viewers propelled various campaigns to see the Firefly star step into the Green Lantern suit on screen, as the perception of Fillion as the ultimate Hal Jordan only grew stronger. He later contributed to Green Lantern’s legacy by voicing Hal Jordan in the animated film Green Lantern: Emerald Knights, merging comic tradition with modern adaptation and fulfilling longstanding hopes by lending his voice to the character.
However, as the DC Universe evolved, so did Fillion’s involvement. Instead of portraying Hal Jordan in upcoming live-action projects, he has been cast as Guy Gardner in James Gunn’s anticipated Superman film set for release in 2025. This significant shift leaves fans reflecting on their initial instincts and the curious foreshadowing from comic panels decades earlier.
Looking ahead, Fillion will appear as Guy Gardner in the forthcoming DCU Lanterns series. He will act alongside Kyle Chandler, who steps in as the DCU’s Hal Jordan. Chandler, recognized for his performance in Friday Night Lights, brings a different interpretation to the hero, though the unique cosmic alignment that surrounded Fillion’s casting as Hal Jordan remains singular. Whether Chandler will forge a comparable connection with the role is yet to be seen.
The remarkable symmetry between Nathan Fillion Green Lantern artwork from the late 1980s and current casting news continues to shape fan discussion and speculation. Ultimately, regardless of which Lantern persona Fillion portrays in the evolving DCU, the enduring coincidence speaks to a deeper connection between actor, character, and mythos—reminding viewers and readers that serendipity sometimes rivals even the most ambitious plans of Hollywood and comics alike.
