Estelle Getty From The Golden Girls

Recently, Superman star Nathan Fillion revealed the surprising television icon that he channeled to play Guy Gardner/Green Lantern. Alongside Fillion, the DC Universe film stars David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Sara Sampaio, Anthony Carrigan, Edi Gathegi, and Isabela Merced, among others. Fillion’s Green Lantern, along with Gathegi as Mister Terrific and Merced as Hawkgirl, will be part of the corporate-sponsored Justice Gang, a group of superheroes who operate differently from the kind-hearted Superman.

Fillion’s casting as Guy comes after years of fans dream-casting him as Green Lantern, though many thought he would be more suited to the Hal Jordan iteration of the hero. Nonetheless, the Firefly star is a long-time collaborator and friend of Superman’s director, James Gunn, so his having a role in the film is hardly a surprise. What is a surprise, however, is the character he modeled his Green Lantern after.

In an appearance on the DC Studios Showcase Official Podcast, Fillion explained that Estelle Getty’s ornery yet lovable Sophia Petrillo inspired his portrayal of Guy:

You know, I took my inspiration from the oldest cast member from Golden Girls, where she just, whatever she wanted to say, just there was no filter. Just whatever it is. There it is. He’s just gonna say it.

The actor continued by clarifying how this reconciles with Guy’s comic backstory, adding: “Part of his origin was he was, at one point, hit by a bus and was in a coma. So I just say that’s the thing that flipped the switch. That’s the thing that caused a little bit of brain damage. Now he’s just… off a little bit.“

Sophia Petrillo Was Known For Her Unfiltered, Brutal Sense Of Humor

While comparing Guy Gardner to Sophia Petrillo seems strange on the surface, it’s not without merit. In The Golden Girls, Getty portrays the mother of Beatrice Arthur’s Dorothy Zbornak, and she lives with her daughter and their two friends, Rose Nylund (Betty White) and Blanche Devereaux (Rue McClanahan). Sophia is unfiltered and brutal, often roasting the other women on the show. For that reason, she is both a fan favorite and the source of much of the series’ humor.

Superman Teaser Trailer Guy Gardner Nathan Fillion

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As for how that relates to Guy, it’s simple: he’s a rough, aggressive personality. Arguably the biggest jerk in the Green Lantern Corps, the character is known for being rude and cocky. Though Sophia is less brutal than Guy in her actions, the type of humor she brings to The Golden Girls has an edge to it, which Fillion may be replicating in Superman.

Guy Gardner May Be A Source Of Humor In Superman

With the Justice Gang making a cameo in the Peacemaker season two trailer, more of Guy’s personality has been showcased, as he was seen mocking both Hawkgirl and Peacemaker himself. Fillion’s Green Lantern has a meanness to him with humor somewhat softening his edges, making the Sophia comparison more evident. Unfortunately, though, Superman will likely not be thanking Green Lantern for being a friend by the end of the film.