Promotional footage for the upcoming “Superman” movie has raised one recurring question among fans: what is going on with Nathan Fillion’s hair?
The actor, best known for “The Rookie,” appears in the new DC Studios film as Guy Gardner, one of the Green Lanterns who serves as an intergalactic law enforcer. In keeping with the comic books, Gardner sports a sharp, unmistakable bowl cut complete with heavy blond bangs.
Fillion attended the film’s Hollywood premiere this week and immediately addressed the unusual hairstyle, which some viewers have suggested does not translate smoothly from the comic page to live action.
He stressed that the look is faithful to the original source material. “I do not think you can do a Guy Gardner without doing the hair. I think it would be a disservice.”
He added that the style is essential to the character’s attitude. According to Fillion, the bold haircut signals who Gardner is at his core. “If you see a guy walking down the street with a bowl cut, that guy clearly does not give a damn what you think about him. And that is Guy Gardner.”
Fillion’s portrayal is one of several that inject humor and swagger into the film. Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan, is the only character in the movie who openly comments on Gardner’s hair.
“I embrace the bowl cut,” Fillion said. “There was some talk about trying different hairstyles, and I was team bowl cut the whole way.”
While the haircut presented no major issues during filming, Fillion said another part of playing a Green Lantern was far more demanding. The hardest challenge came from the flying sequences, which required tight, uncomfortable harnesses.
“Flying is so fun to watch, it is fun to do, but the harnesses that you have to wear are not built for comfort,” he said. “They are claustrophobic, they are very constricting, they are uncomfortable. I had a fist-sized purple bruise on my kidney from one.”
He noted that despite the physical discomfort, he is highly particular about how flight looks on screen and felt a strong responsibility to get it right. “That was a challenge.”
Fillion has a long creative history with director James Gunn dating back to the 2006 horror comedy “Slither.” Their collaboration continues next year, when Fillion will reprise the role of Guy Gardner in “Lanterns,” a DC television series costarring Kyle Chandler and Aaron Pierre and co-executive produced by Gunn.
“Superman” premieres in theaters on July 11 and is distributed by Warner Bros.
