“Superman” is likely to 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 have been taking to the skies as Man Gardner (a Inexperienced Lantern), Mr. Terrific, and Hawkgirl, respectively, however what would possibly 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 just a few 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 newest 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 a part of a combat however stand on the sidelines, creating a big effect in a small means. Let’s break down who makes it into “Superman” and what affect they might have on Massive Blue’s world going ahead.
Bradley Cooper as Jor-El
Properly, now it is official. The transient however massively impactful look of Superman’s long-dead Dad, Jor-El, the final wise 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 is likely to 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, organising a shift within the public’s perspective of the hero.
Provided that the movie ends with Clark ignoring his lifeless father’s needs, it’s going to be fascinating to see if, in future DCU tales, there can be an opportunity for the spirit of Jor-El to by some means rise once more by way of another forgotten file. Doing so may presumably shed extra gentle on the unique plan Supes’ Dad had for his place in Earth’s future. Why did a scientist who was desperately making an attempt 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 scorching subject of dialogue all throughout the Earth, with one information channel trying to a questionable voice particularly 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) offers his personal blink-or-you’ll-miss-it perspective. Final seen halting an alien invasion of his personal within the HBO Max spin-off collection, it is fascinating to suppose that at this level, Christopher Smith has grow to be a extra well-known determine, and maybe even 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 tip 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 it will occur stay unknown. It is also price 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 completed the final time he and Peacemaker have been pressured to work collectively. Smith would possibly nicely have a face for tv, however we will 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 would possibly miss totally 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 Every 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 “Marvel Girl 1984.” Gunn’s look because the character is fleeting, as he seems briefly on a newscast whereas getting right into a automobile, however it’s one other small constructing block serving to to fortify the world his filmmaking brother is establishing. What it does not spotlight too nicely is that the Justice Gang is, in actual fact, funded by Lord, simply as within the comics. The distinction within the comics is that the group is named Justice League Worldwide, and ultimately, 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 group seemingly beneficial properties Metamorpho (Anthony Carrigan) within the finale of the movie, we will solely hope that Gunn’s Lord will get a much bigger half to play sooner or later.
Milly Alcock as Supergirl
Maybe the largest “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 sort of Girl of Tomorrow we’re set to fulfill in her personal solo movie arriving subsequent yr, which can even 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 arms.
Kara’s arrival does spark some fascinating 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 really 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 go away 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.
