11 actors in James Gunn’s Superman who’ve already suited up in other comic book universes

Superman is a forthcoming American superhero film inspired by the legendary Superman from DC Comics. The film is produced by DC Studios and distributed by Warner Bros, and is due for release on July 11, 2025.

The film's production design, costume design, and casting began in April 2023. Production designer Beth Mickle and costume designer Judianna Makovsky have returned from The Suicide Squad and Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023).

The 2025 Superman movie will not only honor Superman's rich comic book history, but it also aims to change the franchise. The cast has already appeared in Marvel and DC films as superheroes. Gunn takes old stories into a new and hopefully exciting era for DC by fusing extraordinary talent with up-and-coming artists. Let's discuss a dozen of them. They have played significant roles in Gotham, Peacemaker, X-Men, and Guardians of the Galaxy series.

**Disclaimer: This article is based on the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.**

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11 actors in James Gunn’s Superman who’ve already appeared in other comic book universes

11. Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor)

Previously, Nicholas Hoult played Beast (Hank McCoy) in the X-Men movie franchise from Marvel. Hoult plays Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s version of Superman, who is Superman’s primary villain. In Superman (2025), Luthor is a wealthy and intelligent CEO. However, he is ruthless, hoping to save humanity in the way he thinks is best.

Hoult intended Luthor to be a cunning, tenacious, and enraged enemy who posed a significant threat to Superman. He had to shave his head for the role, and let his older son do so. The experience, he said, according to CinemaBlend as reported in MSN, was fun and let him appear authentic for his role. Hoult has tried using technical expertise to depict Luthor, drawing inspiration from modern tech entrepreneurs. Gunn pointed out that Lex Corp’s technology and a strong will made Lex almost like a magician.

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10. Edi Gathegi (Michael Holt)

Edi Gathegi previously appeared as Darwin in the Marvel movie X-Men: First Class. In James Gunn’s Superman, Gathegi plays Michael Holt. In DC Comics, Holt is known as the third-smartest person in the universe, fighting criminals with his T-Spheres. His strength lies in his ability to support the team by combining fresh ideas with powerful technologies.

According to Gunn, Michael Holt will be important to the film’s storyline. The story of Holt’s superheroism starts after the terrible loss of his wife when she was pregnant. Scientists are taking this chance to introduce the audience to a lesser-known hero through an engaging story.

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9. Anthony Carrigan (Rex Mason)

In the TV drama Gotham, Anthony Carrigan is recognized for his unsettlingly happy portrayal of Victor Zsasz. He has a lengthy history of playing comic book characters. Zsasz, a crazed hitman who likes to mark his killings with body scars, allowed Carrigan the opportunity to combine charm and creepiness. He delivered one of the most memorable and unique performances in an already odd series.

In James Gunn’s Superman, Carrigan takes on the heroic role of Metamorpho, a shape-shifting elemental entity. This abrupt change illustrates Carrigan's capacity to address both villainy and heroism. Carrigan's face is hidden under prosthetics. He aims to give the role a sense of being an alien.

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8. Nathan Fillion (Green Lantern)

In 2025, Nathan Fillion will play Guy Gardner in the second season of the television series Peacemaker and the DC Universe movie Superman. As Hal Jordan, he added witty humor to the role in Justice League: Doom and Green Lantern: Emerald Knights. Fillion has also appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in films such as Deadpool & Wolverine, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

His legacy still includes him, symbolizing the Lantern Corps by becoming much louder and more reckless than before.

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7. Sean Gunn (Maxwell Lord)

Sean Gunn is an American actor who has collaborated with his renowned filmmaker brother, James Gunn. He played Kraglin and also portrayed Rocket in motion capture in the Guardians of the Galaxy flicks, though the latter role was dubbed by Bradley Cooper. He also played Weasel in The Suicide Squad. In James Gunn's new DC Universe, Sean Gunn plays Maxwell Lord, who tries to use superheroes to accomplish his goals.

It is not known exactly how big his part will be, though Maxwell Lord has made appearances in many DC Comics stories. He being part of the team could lead to new developments in DCU.

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6. Frank Grillo (Rick Flag Sr.)

Frank Grillo played Brock Rumlow in Marvel's Captain America: Winter Soldier. However, character restarts are uncommon. In the DC Universe, he voices Rick Flag Sr. on Creature Commandos and will also appear as that character in Superman and Peacemaker Season 2.

Rick Flag Sr. is illustrated as a detailed military figure who oversees a group of creatures on their tasks. Grillo thinks the character is fascinating and appreciates the DC Universe's new, more intimate aesthetic under James Gunn.

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5. Mikaela Hoover (Cat Grant)

Mikaela was born and reared in Colbert, Washington, and has Spanish, Italian, and Iranian ancestry. Mikaela Hoover had two roles in the Guardians of the Galaxy film franchise. She played Nova Prime's Assistant in the first Guardians film, but her voice acting as Floor was far more prominent in the third.

Hoover did the motion capture and speech work for the Floor the Rabbit, who calls herself by that name because she is on the floor. In James Gunn's upcoming Superman, Hoover plays Car Grant, who, according to the Arrowverse, is a columnist who shifted to Metropolis from Los Angeles post-divorce.

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4. Alan Tudyk (Doctor Phosphorus)

Alan Tudyk is famous for his unique contributions to animated comic book adaptations. His performance of the Joker in Harley Quinn is lively and thrilling, and he adds appeal to each character, particularly Clayface. He voices the Joker and other characters in Harley Quinn (animated series), and has also worked on Young Justice and Doom Patrol, adding life to different animated characters.

In that movie, he plays the part of a cyborg seen briefly in the Fortress of Solitude. Tudyk can create emotion in roles that aren’t human. Consequently, it could help make this robot a favorite. According to The Direct, he has voice-acted the role of Doctor Phosphorus in Creature Commandos and has reportedly been cast in Superman.

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3. Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl)

Madame Web in Sony's Spider-Man universe is one of Isabela Merced's best-known roles. Isabela Merced now plays Hawkgirl in James Gunn's film Superman. The character is skilled with melee weapons, can fly, and possesses legendary strength. However, as a big DC fan for many years, Merced was also delighted when she became Hawkgirl.

Merced is happy to play Hawkgirl and hopes the audience finds her role meaningful.

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2. Michael Rooker (Savant)

Michael Rooker has played characters in both the Marvel and DC series. In the MCU, he appeared as Yondu Udonta in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. In DC, he played Savant in the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. According to Yahoo, rumors surfaced in November 2023 that Rooker may portray Sam, the father of Lois Lane, in Superman. But in response to a fan's question on Threads, Gunn refuted these rumors.

Alan Tudyk provides the voice of Robot 4 when the automatons talk. However, Robot 5, whose voice is provided by Rooker, can be heard saying, "Fourteen fractured bones" at 3 minutes and 9 seconds.

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1. Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen)

James Gunn, the director of Superman and the head of DC Studios, has posted on X a preview of Skyler Gisondo's portrayal of Jimmy Olsen in his Warner Bros. superhero movie.

Olsen, a teenage photojournalist who works at the Daily Planet with Clark Kent, or Superman (David Corenswet), and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan), is one of the iconic characters from the Superman saga. Gisondo is known for his roles in films and television series such as Licorice Pizza, Booksmart, and The Amazing Spider-Man 1 and 2. The actor is collaborating with Gunn on the tentpole for the first time.

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It is concluded that Gunn's Superman includes an ensemble cast of actors who have also featured in past superhero stories. Most of these 12 actors in the list above had already become known for their Marvel and DC roles as various shapeshifters, warriors, and colorful bad guys.

The film honors their comic book tales and presents new iterations of these actors. Gunn is known to pick actors he believes in and he clearly wants to bring something new to the DC films. DC Fans are more excited and connected to the characters than ever before because so many people from both Marvel and DC worlds are collaborating on the new film.