Nearly every character in Superman’s team made a strong impact on viewers, but it was Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific who truly captured the hearts of many as an adored icon. This superhero wasn’t well-known prior to Superman’s release, but writer/director James Gunn, similar to how he developed characters like Groot, Rocket Raccoon, Mantis, and Peacemaker, transformed this crime fighter into a beloved scene-stealer through clever writing and skillful casting.
It’s hard to overstate how captivating Henry Ian Cusick is as Mister Terrific, with his stoic speech delivery providing a delightful contrast to the absurd antics of the alternate dimensions he finds himself in. Watching this actor shine in Superman is particularly gratifying, considering his previous Marvel movie role didn’t quite make the most of his talents.
Edi Gathegi’s X-Men: First Class Character Was A Major Letdown
In the movie X-Men: First Class, Edi Gathegi’s portrayal of Darwin was a regrettably untapped talent. His mutant character, one of the students recruited by Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr for their new school, possesses an extraordinary ability to adapt to any environment or circumstance (hence his name). For example, if he’s underwater, he can develop gills. Unfortunately, Darwin’s personality isn’t developed much in the script. The most notable scenes featuring him are those where the camera awkwardly cuts to him during Sebastian Shaw’s (Kevin Bacon) mention of American slavery, and his tragic demise at Shaw’s hands shortly afterward.
In an unexpected plot twist, the character with the unique ability to withstand any adversity is killed off, serving primarily as motivation for other characters to save the world. This writing decision raised eyebrows on several fronts, including its questionable and awkward racial undertones, and it clearly showed a lack of creative use of Darwin’s powers. This narrative shift left actor Gathegi with one of the most perplexing moments in the X-Men movie series history. The way Darwin was treated in the X-Men saga became notorious. There was no chance for Darwin to be salvaged in the X-Men films, but Superman offers Gathegi a much more substantial role as a superhero.
Gathegi’s Captivating Mister Terrific Reaffirms All The First Class Potential Left on the Table
One notable aspect of Edi Gathegi’s portrayal of Mister Terrific is how captivating he becomes right from the start, effectively embodying the character’s calm and collected persona. As a tech mastermind, his character can accomplish anything, and Gathegi skillfully conveys his mechanical and intellectual abilities through body language alone. Furthermore, the contrast between Gathegi’s serious demeanor and lighter characters such as Lois Lane and Guy Gardner is quite amusing. Overall, Gathegi delivers an outstanding performance as Mister Terrific, one that stands out both on its own and within a larger ensemble.
In a remarkable display of talent, Gathegi shines as Mister Terrific, stealing the spotlight with thrilling action scenes and lines that ooze confidence. However, his exceptional performance in this role serves as a stark reminder of how captivating Darwin could have been if given the chance. Unfortunately, the movie First Class missed an opportunity to capitalize on Gathegi’s talents by diminishing Darwin’s mutant powers for convenience and failing to create a beloved mutant character that would stand the test of time. Instead, they opted for a lackluster narrative decision that denied audiences the chance to fully appreciate Edi Gathegi’s acting abilities.
It seems that not being able to make a mark as Darwin in films might have ultimately worked out for the best for Edi Gathegi, since it opened up the opportunity for him to portray Mister Terrific instead. This role was apparently perfectly suited to him, enabling him to transform Mister Terrific from a relatively unknown comics character into a globally celebrated movie star. It’s hard not to feel disappointed when talented actors like Gathegi are underutilized, as was the case in X-Men: First Class. However, it’s heartening to know that he found his redemption in the superhero film world only 14 years later.
As a seasoned movie critic, I must say, DC Studios would do well to heed the lessons learned by Marvel and swiftly incorporate Mister Terrific into their upcoming DC Universe projects. It’s high time we see this multi-talented character shine on the big screen!
Superman is now playing in theaters.
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2025-07-15 20:45