James Gunn’s DC universe is finally taking flight with Superman soaring into cinemas, marking the official launch of the DCU. The new film isn’t just a reboot of the Superman franchise, but also a foundational chapter in Gunn and Peter Safran’s Chapter One: Gods and Monsters slate.
The movie is a reboot, but it isn’t an origin story! Instead of showing how Clark Kent became Superman, the film drops us into a world where he’s already Superman, working at the Daily Planet and balancing his Kryptonian legacy with his human upbringing, which is probably why some of the characters might confuse you. The film introduces a younger Superman, played by David Corenswet, along with an ensemble of diverse metahumans and characters, setting up a wider DC universe from the get-go. If your brain went into overdrive trying to keep up with the guy with the robot balls, the angry winged lady, and Green Lantern with a bowl haircut, don’t worry, we’ve got you! Here’s your guide to the metahumans, misfits, and maybe-heroes that crash-landed into James Gunn’s new DC universe:
Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern
Nathan Fillion brings the loudest, brashest, and most stubborn member of the Green Lantern Corps, Guy Gardner, to life with unapologetic flair and a bowl haircut no one asked for. Guy’s presence in the film suggests that the Green Lantern Corps is active and well established, hinting at a bigger role in future DCU chapters. If a new Green Lantern movie or TV series is underway, Nathan Fillion could be seen leading it or serving as the comic foil. We may also see more Green Lanterns like Hal Jordan or John Stewart introduced in later films. Before this reboot, Green Lantern appeared in the 2011 film Green Lantern, starring Ryan Reynolds as Hal Jordan, and in several animated series, most notably Green Lantern: The Animated Series and Justice League Unlimited.
Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl
Isabela Merced plays Kendra Saunders, a modern-day reincarnation of an Egyptian princess and a warrior infused with alien technology, better known as Hawkgirl. In the film, she doesn’t get a full backstory; she simply appears, wings out and mace in hand, ready to fight alongside the other members of the Justice Gang. Superman marks her first live-action appearance on the big screen and sets the stage for future appearances, possibly in Peacemaker Season 2 alongside John Cena’s Christopher Smith. Before this reboot, Hawkgirl appeared in the animated series Justice League Unlimited and was portrayed by Ciara Renée in DC’s Legends of Tomorroww.
Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific
Genius inventor, Olympic-level athlete, and all-around overachiever, Mister Terrific might not have been the hero we came in rooting for, but he definitely delivered main character energy in a supporting role. Since James Gunn’s Superman isn’t an origin story, Mister Terrific, like the other heroes, doesn’t get a grand backstory. He just shows up, suited up, ready to save the day and bring some much-needed brains to the fight against Lex Luthor.
In the comics, his story begins as Michael Holt, a genius inventor and Olympic gold medallist who channels his brilliance into creating technology that helps him fight crime and become the hero his city needs after suffering a personal loss. He is considered the third smartest man in the DC Universe, after Lex Luthor and Batman. Unlike others chasing greatness, Mister Terrific wears his genius lightly. He leads with purpose, not pride, proving that the smartest man in the room does not always need to say it out loud. While Superman marks Mister Terrific’s big-screen debut, he was previously a fan-favourite supporting character in Arrow on The CW, appearing from Season 4 onwards.
María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer
Angela Spica, aka The Engineer, is the real wildcard of the film. She’s a former scientist who donated her body to science by infusing it with nanotechnology, giving her the ability to shape-shift, form weapons, and survive in extreme conditions. In the movie, she’s seen as one of Lex Luthor’s most trusted allies in his fight against Superman, but she’s so much more than a side character. The Engineer is directly tied to The Authority, a group of morally grey, extreme superheroes formed after the decimation of StormWatch and the destruction of SkyWatch following an alien invasion. Her presence in the film is a clear signal that James Gunn is setting the stage for his next Suicide Squad–adjacent antihero superhero movie, The Authority.
John Cena as Peacemaker
In between all the news reports during Superman’s downfall, we see John Cena in a very quick, blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo as Peacemaker. Last seen stopping an alien invasion in his HBO Max series, Peacemaker, at the end of Season 1, Christopher Smith has become something of a public figure, even earning recognition as a superhero in the city. The problem is, his televised interview in the movie might draw some unwanted attention his way. Superman also marks the live-action debut of Rick Flag Sr., the father of Rick Flag Jr., whom Peacemaker killed at the end of The Suicide Squad, hinting strongly at a possible conflict between the two in Peacemaker Season 2.
Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord
It’s not a James Gunn movie without a Sean Gunn cameo. In Superman, Sean Gunn appears as Maxwell Lord, DC’s long-standing powerful businessman who later becomes a full-blown supervillain. His appearance is brief; he shows up near the end of the film to give his two cents on peace being restored in Metropolis and Lex Luthor’s true motives while getting into his car. It may seem minor, but it’s a pivotal building block in the larger interconnected universe James Gunn is creating, especially since Maxwell Lord is also the financier of the Justice Gang. Given Lord’s major role in the comics and the fact that his team gains Metamorpho toward the end of the film, fans can only hope for more screen time for Maxwell in upcoming projects.
Milly Alcock as Supergirl
One of the most important cameos in the film comes toward the very end, with Supergirl making her stumbling, hungover entrance into the Fortress of Solitude. This time played by Milly Alcock, the movie sets the tone for what to expect from the new Woman of Tomorrow. With her college dropout, party-all-night energy, she’s more of a wild card than her cousin, but seeing how unfazed she is after Krypto’s cuddle-attack, it’s safe to say she can hold her own in a fight. The newest addition to the Super-family, Supergirl will be taking her solo flight in the DCU next year in a film titled Supergirl, which will hopefully give us more insight into the complex family dynamics of Krypton’s last survivors.
Where To Watch Every New 'Superman' Character In Movies And Shows Online
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