Last month, the search for the next Superman and Lois Lane came to an end, with David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan landing the roles of the iconic Metropolis couple. Now, just two weeks later, James Gunn has expanded the cast for Superman: Legacy – and some of it fits long-standing fancasts.
First reported by Vanity Fair, Nathan Fillion will portray Green Lantern as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced will soar as the super-heroine Hawkgirl, and Edi Gathegi will bring the brilliance of Mister Terrific to life in the film that will mark the true beginning of the DCU.
Just like Tarantino, Scorsese, and Anderson, James Gunn has a knack for casting his favorite actors in his projects. And when it comes to Gunn’s films, nobody has been a more frequent collaborator than Nathan Fillion.
The two first joined forces in Gunn’s 2006 directorial debut, Slither. Since then, they have reunited in Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad, with Fillion taking on amusing supporting roles (including a superhero who can detach his own arms).
Fillion’s casting as Guy Gardner doesn’t seem far-fetched. He has already lent his voice to Green Lantern (specifically Hal Jordan) in various DC animated projects like Green Lantern: Emerald Knights, Justice League: Doom, Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, Justice League: Throne of Atlantis, The Death of Superman, and Reign of the Supermen.
However, Superman: Legacy will mark Fillion’s live-action debut as Guy Gardner, the Green Lantern who is recognized by comic fans as Hal Jordan’s backup. Like many headlining superheroes, multiple individuals have carried the proverbial torch, and Green Lantern is no different.
Similarly, Hawkgirl is set to make her live-action debut through Isabela Merced. The 22-year-old actress is best known for her roles in Transformers: The Last Knight, Sicario: Day of the Soldado, and Netflix’s Sweet Girl.
Although it’s uncertain which version of Hawkgirl she’ll portray, the odds point to Kendra Saunders incarnation, considering Merced’s Peruvian background and the character’s Hispanic origins. That said, live action adaptations have toyed with character identities from the comics.
Edi Gathegi is no stranger to the superhero scene. Fans may remember him from his role as Darwin in X-Men: First Class, where he portrayed a mutant with incredible adaptive abilities. After teasing us with a photo of Mister Terrific last year, James Gunn has now revealed the actor who will bring Michael Holt to life.
Mister Terrific, a member of the Justice Society of America, is like the DCU’s own version of a Swiss Army knife. With his unmatched intellect, athleticism, and diverse skill set, he’s the hero other heroes call when they need a problem solved.
How Gunn plans to integrate all these superheroes in Superman: Legacy remains a mystery to us. While not an origin story, the film centers around a young Superman as a reporter in Metropolis, fresh from his small-town roots in Smallville. Whatever approach Gunn chooses to take, one thing we can all look forward to is Nathan Fillion rocking a bowl cut.
Superman: Legacy is set to land in theatres in 2025 if all goes according to plan.
