Green Lantern's Powers In The Superman Trailer Show Exactly What Ryan Reynolds' Movie Was Missing

A detail from the new official Superman trailer promises a renovated exploration of the Green Lanterns’ lore in the DCU. James Gunn’s Superman will not only introduce a brand-new version of the Man of Steel, but also the first live-action interpretation of multiple DC characters, including Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, Metamorpho, Ultraman, the Engineer, and the Green Lantern hero Guy Gardner. Unlike most interconnected franchises, the DCU is kicking off with an already populated universe where hundreds of comic book characters have existed for years.

Among DC Comics’ most popular characters, the Green Lanterns have been some of the least prominent in DC movie and show history. Guy Gardner appeared in the 1997 CBS Justice League of America movie before Ryan Reynolds’ Hal Jordan starred in 2011’s Green Lantern fourteen years later. Then, the obscure Green Lantern hero Yalan Gur made a cameo in Justice League, and David Ramsey’s John Diggle received but rejected the Green Lantern ring in the Arrowverse. Only until James Gunn’s Superman launches the DCU are the Green Lanterns receiving the live-action treatment they deserve.

2011’s Green Lantern Movie Didn’t Do Enough With Green Lantern’s Powers

Ryan Reynolds’ Hal Jordan Wasn’t Creative Enough With His Lantern Creations

Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan in Green Lantern (2011) holding a gun

The 2011 Green Lantern movie followed the origin story of Ryan Reynolds’ Hal Jordan, who learned about Oa and the Green Lantern Corps, as well as the Green Lantern rings’ infinite possibilities as he faced Parallax — the Corps’ most powerful enemy in his first-ever adventure. Given his limited experience, Ryan Reynolds’ Hal Jordan created Earthly energy constructs, such as chains, walls, a mini-gun, a chainsaw, a fighter jet, a racing car, and a catapult. Other members of the Green Lantern Corps weren’t significantly more creative, as they created simple constructs like swords and rocks.

Superman Is Using Green Lantern’s Powers In A More Creative Way

The Superman Trailers Tease Guy Gardner’s Effortless Green Lantern Powers

The first Superman teaser trailer revealed Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner look with a brief sH๏τ of the Green Lantern hero shooting a beam of energy at an angry crowd. The recent official full-length Superman trailer presents a couple of new sH๏τs where Guy uses his powers. During a scene that takes place in the desert, Guy Gardner waves a giant hand that sends a truck and a soldier flying. In another sH๏τ, Guy crafts a huge net that captures the mysterious glowing orb in the sky.

During battle, Guy may come up with many more creative constructs that complement his teammates’ abilities

The Superman trailer unveils a limited portion of the movie’s action scenes, and thus most of Guy Gardner’s abilities are likely reserved for Superman‘s theatrical release. Guy’s effortless use of the Green Lantern ring in the Superman trailer suggests he has mastered his powers. During battle, Guy may come up with many more creative constructs that complement his teammates’ abilities. Funny enough, Guy Gardner usually creates mundane objects like trucks, motorcycles, and baseball bats in the source material, but they tend to capture his insolent personality.

Guy Gardner Is A Very Good Sign For Green Lanterns’ Future

The DCU Green Lanterns Will Likely Have Their Own Personality And Signature Powers

Blurred artwork from the DCU's Lanterns show behind Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre — Custom Image by Lewis Glazebrook

In line with his comic book counterpart, the Superman trailers depict Guy Gardner as an immature and insolent hero. Hence, it makes sense for him to use his powers in ways that align with his personality. James Gunn’s accurate depiction of Guy Gardner supports the idea that every DCU Green Lantern will be visibly different from each other. In the upcoming Lanterns show, Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan is expected to differ significantly from Ryan Reynolds’ version, both in appearance and demeanor, and Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart will likely approach his Green Lantern duties differently from Hal Jordan.

The DCU appears to be putting a special focus on the Green Lanterns during its “Gods and Monsters” chapter following a long period of absence by the Corps on the big screen. After Guy Gardner debuts in Superman and John Stewart debuts with Hal Jordan in Lanterns, the DCU might introduce other Green Lanterns like Kyle Rayner, Alan Scott, Jessica Cruz, and Simon Baz — each with their own distinct personality and their unique way of embracing the power of the Green Lantern rings.