All 20 Superman Actors Who Appeared In Other Comic Book Movies & Shows

Several actors from the 2025’s Superman movie, which is part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s rebooted DC Universe, have previously starred in comic book films or TV series. This new live-action Superman film marks the beginning of Gunn’s revamped DCU, following the 2024 animated Creature Commandos series. David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan are the main characters portraying Clark Kent’s Superman and Lois Lane respectively, but they are among the few who haven’t been seen in prior superhero productions.

The cast for Superman is exceptionally powerful, featuring numerous collaborators who frequently work with director James Gunn, along with some fresh faces to add to his filmmaking roster. Each actor has added thrilling elements of DC Comics’ lore to live-action, some for the first time, but many have previous experience in the realm of superheroes and villains. Some have had small and substantial roles in franchises from both DC and Marvel, but they now have promising careers ahead in the revitalized DC Universe.

20) Sean Gunn

In many of James Gunn’s projects, it’s often Sean Gunn who makes a frequent appearance, and this pattern continues in the new DC Universe where Sean Gunn assumes the role of Maxwell Lord, a wealthy and influential CEO of LordTech who finances Superman’s Justice League. He’ll reappear in Peacemaker season 2, and his voice can be heard as characters like GI Robot and Weasel in Creature Commandos, with Weasel being the character he played in The Suicide Squad of 2021, and a brief stint as Calendar Man in his brother’s first DC film production.

Before moving on to DC Studios with his brother, Sean Gunn is primarily recognized for playing Kraglin Obfonteri, a former Ravager and Guardians of the Galaxy associate, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the MCU, Kraglin was a high-ranking Ravager who inherited the Yaka arrow following Yondu’s demise and eventually became an official member of the Guardians of the Galaxy towards the end of 2023’s “Vol. 3.” Over eight MCU productions, including two Avengers films and the animated “What If…?” series, Kraglin has made appearances, but it remains undecided whether he will reprise his role in future MCU projects.

19) Alan Tudyk

In the famous Fortress of Solitude, the primary robot character is number 4, who’s given voice by Alan Tudyk. Known for his extensive work within the DC Universe, Tudyk has lent his voice to numerous characters across various animated films and series such as Justice League: War, Big Hero 6, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, Young Justice, Harley Quinn, MODOK, and Creature Commandos. In these productions, he voiced Doctor Phosphorus, Will Magnus, and Clayface, roles that will be played by Tom Rhys Harries in the live-action DC Universe. Additionally, Tudyk has appeared in live-action roles like Deadpool 2 and Doom Patrol, and it’s anticipated that he will make further appearances in the DCU’s upcoming projects.

18) Michael Rooker

I’ve always admired the versatile talent that is Michael Rooker, who has worked closely with James Gunn on numerous occasions, even lending his voice to Robot 1 in Superman. His upcoming role in Peacemaker season 2 as Red St. Wild follows his previous appearance as Savant in The Suicide Squad’s opening scene. Most famously, Rooker brought the blue-skinned Yondu Udonta to life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Guardians of the Galaxy series, a character who sacrificed himself heroically at the end of Vol. 2 to save Peter Quill (Chris Pratt). Additionally, he portrayed Red Doc in the 2010 short film, DC Showcase: Jonah Hex.

17) Pom Klementieff

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve been thrilled to witness Pom Klementieff’s significant role in shaping the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Guardians of the Galaxy franchise. In this cosmic saga, she breathes life into the enigmatic alien character, Mantis, who is not only Ego’s (Kurt Russell) daughter but also Quill’s half-sister. We last saw her at the end of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, but it seems that Klementieff’s star is set to shine even brighter in the DCU. She made a brief appearance as a dancer in The Suicide Squad and lent her voice, albeit briefly, to robot 5 in Superman, sharing screen time with Tudyk, Rooker, and Jennifer Holland, who is none other than James Gunn’s wife.

16) Jennifer Holland

I had my first appearance in the DC universe with Jennifer Holland’s character, Emilia Harcourt, in “The Suicide Squad.” Working alongside John Economos and Amanda Waller, she was a high-ranking member of ARGUS. I then reprised this role in “Black Adam,” “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” and “Peacemaker,” and will continue to embody Harcourt in season 2 of “Peacemaker” and future projects within the DC Universe. Additionally, you might have spotted me as Kwol, a staff member at the High Evolutionary’s Orgosphere, in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.

15) Bradley Cooper

After a decade of voicing Rocket Raccoon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise, Bradley Cooper has stepped into his first live-action superhero role as Superman. Previously, he was instrumental in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies, as well as “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame”. It’s exciting to see him transition from a behind-the-scenes role to a physical appearance. Prior to this, Cooper had produced the 2019 film “Joker”, but now he plays Jor-El in the DCU, breathing life into Superman’s father and giving him a more ruthless and villainous portrayal. In this version, Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van (played by Angela Sarafyen) urge their son to rule over humanity with a sinister intent.

14) John Cena

John Cena consistently plays the same character across all his superhero franchise films. However, Peacemaker, played by Christopher Smith, is one of the few characters that moved from the old DC Extended Universe. Before a brief appearance on a news report in Superman, Smith was seen in The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker season 1. He will return for Peacemaker season 2, premiering August 21, 2025, and is anticipated to have a distinct atmosphere compared to season 1, considering its fresh position within the rebooted DC Universe.

13) Michael Rosenbaum

Michael Rosenbaum, often working alongside James Gunn, had a brief stint as Lex Luthor’s Raptor Guard in the movie ‘Superman’. In addition to portraying Martinex in the ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ films, Rosenbaum has lent his voice to numerous DC animated projects, including ‘Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker’, ‘Justice League: Doom’, ‘Justice League: Throne of Atlantis’, ‘Batman Beyond’, ‘Justice League’, ‘Justice League Unlimited’, ‘Teen Titans’, and ‘Batman: The Brave and the Bold’. Notably, Rosenbaum portrayed Lex Luthor for a decade on ‘Smallville’, so his reappearance alongside a new Luthor seems fitting given his history.

12) Tinashe Kajese-Bolden

After featuring in both “The Suicide Squad” and “Peacemaker” season 1, Tinashe Kajese-Bolden reappeared as Flo Crawley in the Superman series. In this new role, she was identified as “Secretary Crawley.” Previously, her character had been arrested for betraying Amanda Waller (Viola Davis) in “The Suicide Squad,” but this storyline appears to have been revised. Additionally, Kajese-Bolden has made small appearances within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In 2022’s “The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special,” she portrayed Officer Fitzgibbon, and in Marvel Studios’ “Hawkeye” episode 2, titled “Hide and Seek,” she played a character named “Dee,” who was involved in live-action role-playing (LARP).

11) Frank Grillo

Frank Grillo has been open about his frustration over how Brock Rumlow’s character arc was handled in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), as Crossbones was introduced significantly in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” but was swiftly written off in “Captain America: Civil War.” Although he made brief appearances in “Avengers: Endgame” and “What If…?”, his future looks more promising in the DC Universe, where he portrays Rick Flag Sr., a character he initially played in the comics through “Creature Commandos” and has now brought to life in “Superman.” In the upcoming season 2 of “Peacemaker,” Flag will reappear as the head of ARGUS, and is expected to feature in various other projects within the DC Universe.

10) Stephen Blackehart

Stephen Blackehart frequently works with James Gunn, appearing in the Guardians of the Galaxy films as a dispatched worker on Knowhere, Brahl, and most notably Steemie in Vol. 3 and the Holiday Special. For DC, he was Briscoe in The Suicide Squad, Charlie the Gorilla during season 1 of Peacemaker, but his more significant role was Sydney Happersen, a key scientist and assistant to Lex Luthor in Superman. Given Happerson’s importance as one of Luthor’s top aides, it’s likely he may reappear in the DCU in the future.

9) Pruitt Taylor Vince

In the DCEU, instead of Kevin Costner, Pruitt Taylor Vince plays Jonathan “Pa” Kent in Superman. Unlike his character’s tragic and contentious end in the original storyline, Pa Kent remains a constant source of comfort for Clark Kent. Known for his roles as Father Hennessey, an alcoholic priest who communicates with the dead, in the 2005 movie Constantine, and Grill, a future slave-owner and manager in Agents of SHIELD season 5, Pruitt Taylor Vince is expected to have a long-lasting presence in the DCU alongside David Corenswet’s Superman.

8) Mikaela Hoover

Mikaela Hoover, who made a brief appearance in 2014’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” as Nova Prime’s assistant, reprises her role in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” in 2023, voicing Floor the Rabbit this time around. She also played Silvio Luna’s assistant, Camila, in “The Suicide Squad,” miraculously surviving Harley Quinn’s (Margot Robbie) destructive rampage. Now, Hoover steps into the shoes of Cat Grant in “Superman,” bringing the Daily Planet gossip columnist to live-action on the big screen for the first time ever. She’s expected to make a return alongside other Daily Planet staff members in future appearances.

7) Wendell Pierce

Perry White, brilliantly portrayed by Wendell Pierce, serves as the editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet newspaper in the Superman universe. After lending his voice to Lex Luthor in the animated Harley Quinn series, Pierce made his debut in 2025 across two superhero franchises – portraying Perry White in Superman and Congressman Gary in Thunderbolts within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. During the hearing for Thunderbolts, Gary reprimanded Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus), and was taken aback by the introduction of the New Avengers team.

*Note: Thunderbolts is a fictional group in Marvel Comics and its corresponding media, not an actual congressional hearing or MCU series.

6) Skyler Gisondo

It’s understandable if you didn’t remember that Skyler Gisondo shared the screen with Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man in “The Amazing Spider-Man” and its sequel, as Howard Stacy. Howard was one of Emma Stone’s character Gwen Stacy’s brothers, but his role was quite minor in the films. In contrast, Gisondo’s character Jimmy Olsen from the Daily Planet, a photojournalist, plays a significant role in “Superman,” contributing notably to the downfall of Lex Luthor. This is particularly important due to his charismatic personality and connection to Eve Teschmacher (played by Sara Sampaio), who is currently dating Luthor.

5) Isabela Merced

In the movie Madame Web released in 2024, Isabela Merced’s character Anya Corazon didn’t fully utilize her potential as she missed out on becoming Araña from Marvel Comics, seemingly concluding her Marvel journey prematurely. Contrastingly, within the DC Universe, Merced plays a significant role as Kendra Saunders, also known as Hawkgirl. First appearing in Superman as part of the Justice Gang, she’s slated to reappear in Peacemaker season 2 and may pop up in other future projects, potentially including Lanterns, where her relationship with John Stewart’s Green Lantern (Aaron Pierre) might be developed further.

4) Anthony Carrigan

Anthony Carrigan’s part in the Superman series was compact yet impactful. Initially, Rex Mason’s character Metamorpho was employed by Lex Luthor to weaken Superman through a Kryptonite-infused transformation of his hand. However, Mason eventually aided Superman in rescuing his son and escaping from Luthor’s self-created universe. Before joining the Superman series, Carrigan portrayed both Kyle Nimbus’ Mist in The CW’s Flash series and Victor Zsasz in Fox’s Gotham series. Metamorpho is Carrigan’s most significant superhero role to date, and there are plans for him to reprise his character as Rex Mason in upcoming DCU projects.

3) Edi Gathegi

Similar to Merced, Edi Gathegi’s character Darwin was unfortunately underutilized by Marvel in X-Men: First Class, where he was mysteriously killed off by Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon). Recently, it was disclosed that Darwin was intended to reappear in X-Men: Apocalypse, but this didn’t transpire, leaving Gathegi open for potential roles in the DCU. The character Mister Terrific proved to be a great fit for Gathegi in Superman, and there have been rumors that he might get his own spinoff, making him one of the most intriguing and thrilling new additions to the franchise.

2) Nicholas Hoult

Nicholas Hoult stepped into the limelight as Lex Luthor in the movie Superman, portraying the jealous and arrogant antagonist opposite David Corenswet’s Clark Kent and all Metahumans collectively. Although Luthor was arrested, it is probable that he will reappear in the DCU at some point, although it seems less likely that Hoult will resume his role as Hank McCoy’s Beast within the Marvel universe. In X-Men: First Class, Days of Future Past, Apocalypse, Deadpool 2, and Dark Phoenix, Hoult portrayed the younger version of the Beast, but there has been no confirmation that he will rejoin the cast in Avengers: Doomsday alongside other established X-Men characters.

1) Nathan Fillion

Nathan Fillion frequently works with James Gunn and is set to reprise his role as Green Lantern Guy Gardner in both “Peacemaker” season 2 and the upcoming “Lanterns” series, alongside Kyle Chandler’s Hal Jordan and Aaron Pierre’s John Stewart. He has also lent his voice to various DC animated projects such as “Wonder Woman” and “Justice League Unlimited,” and voiced Hal Jordan in “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.

Nathan Fillion has been involved in Marvel productions as well. Following his portrayal of the blue alien detainee in the Kyln in “Guardians of the Galaxy”, director James Gunn hinted at plans for Fillion to make his debut as Simon Williams, better known as Wonder Man. However, it’s Yahya Abdul-Mateen II who will first appear as Wonder Man in 2025. Instead, Fillion took on the amusing role of Master Karja in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3”. His future role as Guy Gardner is expected to be more substantial, potentially deepening his connection with James Gunn, one of the co-CEOs at DC Studios.

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2025-07-21 17:15