“Superman” may be the primary big-screen outing for James Gunn’s DC Universe, however because of some supporting supers, it is already a thriving one. We all the time knew that the likes of Nathan Fillion, Edi Gathegi, and Isabela Merced had been taking to the skies as Man Gardner (a Inexperienced Lantern), Mr. Terrific, and Hawkgirl, respectively, however what may come as a shock are the opposite notable DC characters that cross the flight path of David Corenswet’s new tackle the Man of Metal.
Aiding in making what looks like probably the most comedian ebook film ever made, characters flit out and in of Supes’ new story, a few of whom solely have a couple of phrases to say on the matter of an alien being assigning himself as Earth’s newest downside solver. However the truth that these characters solely have a restricted quantity of display screen time is an asset, as a result of it makes the primary journey with the most recent Final Son of Krypton really feel extra comedian ebook correct, the place superheroes, villains, and everybody in between do not flip as much as be part of a combat however stand on the sidelines, creating a huge impact in a small means. Let’s break down who makes it into “Superman” and what affect they may have on Massive Blue’s world going ahead.
Bradley Cooper as Jor-El
Nicely, now it is official. The temporary however massively impactful look of Superman’s long-dead Dad, Jor-El, the final smart soul of a lifeless planet, is performed by former voice of Rocket Raccoon, Bradley Cooper. Following within the cinematic footsteps of Marlon Brando and Russell Crowe, Cooper’s Jor-El seems to Clark because the ghostly reminiscence of his household’s previous, which was worn out following the destruction of Krypton. Standing alongside Angela Sarafyan as Yara-El, Cooper’s flip as Jor-El may be on a loop, however because of Gunn, he seems a number of instances to flip Superman’s heritage on its head. It seems that Jor-El did not intend for Kal-El to be the savior of Earth, however its ruler, establishing a shift within the public’s perspective of the hero.
Provided that the movie ends with Clark ignoring his lifeless father’s needs, it will be attention-grabbing to see if, in future DCU tales, there shall be an opportunity for the spirit of Jor-El to in some way rise once more through another forgotten file. Doing so may presumably shed extra mild on the unique plan Supes’ Dad had for his place in Earth’s future. Why did a scientist who was desperately attempting to save lots of a planet and its folks resort to prepping his son to grow to be a godlike tyrant for an additional? It is this query that turns into a sizzling matter of debate all throughout the Earth, with one information channel seeking to a questionable voice specifically to chime in with an opinion.
John Cena as Peacemaker
Among the many many information experiences breaking down the invention that Superman’s arrival might be for darker means, Job Drive X member Peacemaker (John Cena) provides his personal blink-or-you’ll-miss-it perspective. Final seen halting an alien invasion of his personal within the HBO Max spin-off sequence, it is attention-grabbing to suppose that at this level, Christopher Smith has grow to be a extra well-known determine, and even perhaps a hero in his personal proper (which might clarify his Justice Gang interview within the trailer for “Peacemaker” season 2). The issue is that it may draw some consideration from the mistaken folks.
Making his first live-action look in “Superman” is Rick Flag Sr. (final seen in “Creature Commandos”), who’s out for Peacemaker’s blood after he killed his son, Rick Flag Jr. (Joel Kinnaman), at the top of “The Suicide Squad.” It has already been confirmed that the 2 will face off in opposition to one another in season 2 of “Peacemaker,” however the particulars of how and when this can occur stay unknown. It is also value noting that, with such a public show of being very a lot alive, there’s an opportunity that Idris Elba’s Bloodsport may come again to complete the job he thought he’d performed the final time he and Peacemaker had been pressured to work collectively. Smith may properly have a face for tv, however we are able to solely hope he manages to maintain it intact when “Peacemaker” season 2 returns to screens on August 21, 2025.
Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord
In what is maybe the briefest drive-by out of all of the cameos in “Superman,” we see a personality that informal viewers may miss solely however some followers have already met in one other iteration. After Clark completes his mission of saving Metropolis and guaranteeing the world does not get ripped a brand new one, it is also made public because of the employees on the Each day Planet that the battle between Boravia and Jahranpur was orchestrated by Lex Luthor (Nicholas Hoult), main to at least one competing billionaire to chime in on the revelation.
Showing in his brother’s huge DC outing with Superman, Sean Gunn stars as longtime DC ally-turned-adversary, Maxwell Lord, final seen performed by Pedro Pascal in “Surprise Girl 1984.” Gunn’s look because the character is fleeting, as he seems briefly on a newscast whereas getting right into a automotive, nevertheless it’s one other small constructing block serving to to fortify the world his filmmaking brother is establishing. What it does not spotlight too properly is that the Justice Gang is, the truth is, funded by Lord, simply as within the comics. The distinction within the comics is that the crew known as Justice League Worldwide, and finally, Lord beneficial properties powers of his personal, placing him onto the trail of villainy and even main him to kill the unique Blue Beetle, Ted Kord.
Given his essential half within the DCU and the truth that his crew seemingly beneficial properties Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan) within the finale of the movie, we are able to solely hope that Gunn’s Lord will get an even bigger half to play sooner or later.
Milly Alcock as Supergirl
Maybe the most important “Superman” cameo is its final, because of the arrival of Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl, performed this time round by Milly Alcock. She’s solely on display screen for a couple of minutes within the movie’s closing moments, however manages to make an ideal impression for the form of Girl of Tomorrow we’re set to satisfy in her personal solo movie arriving subsequent 12 months, which may also star Jason Momoa as Lobo.
Stumbling into the Fortress of Solitude like a university lady the morning after a heavy night time out, it is clear that she’s extra of a wild card than her cousin, Kal. She will additionally take successful simply as exhausting as Superman, after she’s pounced on by Krypto, who playfully tackles her to the bottom in a vogue that us mere mortals would not survive earlier than she takes the canine off his fingers.
Kara’s arrival does spark some attention-grabbing subjects of concern following the fallout of “Superman.” Firstly, if it was initially deliberate that Kal-El was set to rule Earth, what was it that led Kara to observe in her cousin’s new footsteps and go in opposition to the household plan? Within the comics, she’s truly despatched to guard her then-baby cousin, however a delay sparks a job reversal and Superman grows up forward of his previously older relative. The place does that depart her now in James Gunn’s DCU? We will solely wait and see if these household issues are addressed when “Supergirl” arrives in theaters on June 26, 2026.
