Superman’s Cast Brings 21 DC Comics Characters To The NEW DCU

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Caution: The upcoming Superman (2025) film contains potential plot revelations! The DC Universe doesn’t hold back for newcomers to the genre. Its debut movie plunges into a universe brimming with superhumans and extraordinary events, featuring 21 significant characters from DC Comics. While some may not share the same legendary status as others, and there might be a few omissions that could be debated as essential, this rich tapestry should be more than enough to get you hooked. The film Superman, however, walks a tightrope by striving to be an entertaining standalone movie and a promising foundation for a larger franchise. It demonstrates that even the Man of Steel can’t shoulder a story on his own.

Some people are drawing parallels between Superman and the 2008 release of Iron Man, which kickstarted the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, unlike Iron Man, which was set in a world similar to ours, the DC Universe begins in a completely different reality with a richer history already in place. It’s also important to note that Superman isn’t actually the first DC Universe release; that title goes to an animated series called Creature Commandos, which debuted earlier. Although both titles only feature one common character, this gives the DC Universe a bit of an advantage in some aspects.

Even though Superman doesn’t delve into its origin, it serves as a welcoming starting point for both comic enthusiasts and those who aren’t, offering a chance to encounter all the characters borrowed from DC Comics. Head out to cinemas across the US to witness Superman in action!

Superman

Indeed, in this cinematic adventure, I find myself witnessing the debut of none other than Superman, also known as Clark Kent or Kal-El, brilliantly portrayed by David Corenswet. As we delve into the narrative, he stands at approximately 25 years old and has been gracing us with his superhero presence for roughly three years. The response from fans and critics alike has been overwhelmingly positive, praising Corenswet’s balanced portrayal of a Superman who is sincere yet not overly somber, making him both entertaining to observe and inspiring to cheer on. This story primarily revolves around Clark navigating his adopted persona, and grappling with the decision of what aspects of his Kryptonian heritage he will carry forward.

Lex Luthor

In many superhero films, criticism arises due to weak villains, but fortunately, that’s not an issue with this one. Nicholas Hoult portrays Lex Luthor, Superman’s adversary. This portrayal of Luthor is remarkably accurate, and the film spends time delving into his motivations. Luthor aspires to be acknowledged as the world’s most intelligent and powerful individual, a desire intensified by Superman’s presence because it makes him feel that the goalposts have been shifted. Throughout the movie, his ego is subtly displayed in various ways, such as his employees acting like devotees, responding to his every command. Here’s hoping he’ll return as the antagonist in future DCU narratives.

Lois Lane

In this adaptation, Lois Lane – a pivotal character in Superman’s tales, notably on the silver screen – is portrayed by Rachel Brosnahan. Unlike previous iterations, this movie avoids delving into Superman’s origin and the traditional romantic tension between them. Instead, Lois is fully immersed in the narrative, utilizing her investigative prowess, and is ready to provide guidance when Superman requires it, skipping the usual back-and-forth of their relationship.

Mr. Terrific

In the film, actor Edi Gathegi captivates the audience with his portrayal of Michael Holt, also known as Mr. Terrific. The movie doesn’t delve deeply into his character’s past, but his costume and equipment, reminiscent of those from comic books, are spot on. As a member of the Justice League, Mr. Terrific collaborates with the two superheroes coming up next in their shared workspace, the Hall of Justice. Although they maintain friendly relations with Superman, he isn’t considered a teammate yet. However, Mr. Terrific seems to share Superman’s ethical standards more than the others at this stage.

Hawkgirl

Throughout the years, various manifestations of Hawkgirl have been presented, yet in this universe (DCU), they’ve chosen the character known as Kendra Saunders – portrayed by Isabela Merced. In this film, her backstory isn’t heavily explored, but it’s established that she is the human embodiment of an alien warrior, carrying over all her memories and emotional baggage from that existence. She possesses the ability to fly using her wings, and utilizes an energy mace; however, a richer character development is needed to delve deeper into Kendra’s personality.

Green Lantern (Guy Gardner)

In the upcoming movie, Nathan Fillion portrays Guy Gardner, a self-assured character who was once a cop and now possesses the power of a Green Lantern ring. His role is to maintain order, but he often provides humor in the film. There’s more to come for this character as Fillion will return to his role next year in Lanterns, an HBO Max live-action series focusing on the Green Lantern Corps due out in 2026. In this series, he’ll work alongside two other human Green Lanterns, which might tone down his brash personality a bit.

Metamorpho

In this rephrased version: Rex Mason, known as Metamorpho in the comics, possesses the unique power to transform his body into different elements, altering his shape during the process. Throughout much of the film, he finds himself in a precarious predicament, yet manages to demonstrate heroic qualities in the end. Anthony Carrigan portrays him on screen, and his origin story remains untold within the movie itself. It’s possible that future DC Universe stories could shed light on Metamorpho’s origins as an archaeologist who accidentally tapped into powers he couldn’t understand.

Jonathan and Martha Kent

In this movie, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell depict Jonathan and Martha Kent, the adoptive parents of Superman on Earth, living as humble farmers in Kansas. Despite their limited screen time, they significantly shape Clark’s character. These roles have consistently been vital to a compelling Superman narrative across various media platforms, such as comics, video games, television shows, and films. In this version, their portrayal remains heartfelt, but with a more authentic Kansas accent than in past representations.

Jor-El and Lara Lor-Van

In contrast to previous stories, the parents of Superman, Jor-El (played by Bradley Cooper) and Lara Lor-Van (Angela Sarafyan), appear less benevolent in this movie. They sent their newborn son to a planet with a yellow sun, knowing it would enhance his powers dramatically. Despite cherishing the message they sent along, Clark must decide which aspects of his heritage he should ignore.

The Engineer (Angela Spica)

María Gabriela de Faría portrays Angela Spica, also known as The Engineer, a scientist who collaborated with Luthor in creating nanotechnology and implanting it into her body. She shares Lex’s apprehension towards Superman’s power, risking her own life to attempt to counteract it. In the DCU’s future, more details about her character may be revealed in the film The Authority, though at present, its progress has been slow during development. Angela is not the first Engineer character in the comics; Archie Trundle previously held

Ultraman

In a fresh twist, the DC Universe presents Ultraman differently compared to previous comic book and media portrayals. It’s now evident why there was so much secrecy surrounding the character prior to the movie release. Instead of being an evil counterpart to Clark Kent from alternate realities, in this version, he is a LuthorCorp clone. The battle he engages in is captivating, and it appears likely that we’ll encounter him again in future DC Universe productions.

The Daily Planet Staff

In the world of DC Universe (DCU), not every comic book character possesses superpowers, and they don’t neglect ordinary civilians. Alongside Clark Kent and Lois Lane, Superman also introduced us to some key characters from The Daily Planet: Perry White, the editor-in-chief (played by Wendell Pierce), his young photographer Jimmy Olsen (Skyler Gisondo), columnist Cat Grant (Mikaela Hoover), reporter Ron Troupe (Christopher McDonald), and sports reporter Steve Lombard (Beck Bennett). The newspaper surprisingly takes on a significant role in the story, and these characters show their worth during crises – except for Lombard, who brings a good dose of humor. It remains to be seen how much focus DCU will give to everyday issues like newspapers in the future, but this group certainly deserves more attention and limelight.

Eve Teschmacher

In this production, Sara Sampaio portrays Eve Teschmacher, Lex Luthor’s girlfriend. Originally introduced in “Superman: The Movie” back in 1978 before making an appearance in the comics, she is yet another captivating character here. Her role in this movie is filled with humor and her character promises a wealth of future mischief within the DC Universe.

Supergirl

In line with predictions, Milly Alcock’s character, Kara Zor-El (Superman’s cousin), has a fleeting appearance in this film that primarily serves to lay the groundwork for the upcoming movie, Supergirl, set for release on June 26, 2026. Despite her limited role in the storyline, her mischievous dog, Krypto, steals the show and leaves fans excitedly anticipating next summer’s premiere. Even with minimal screen time, Supergirl’s personality is subtly portrayed through Krypto’s antics.

Maxwell Lord

In the end, Maxwell Lord, another sinister CEO in the DC Universe, makes a brief cameo, portrayed by Sean Gunn. This film only offers a fleeting glimpse of him during a TV interview, but he may assume a significant role in future tales. Historically, Wonder Woman often faces off against Lord, and since her standalone movie is currently in development within the DC Universe, it’s possible that Lord has already started hatching plans for Diana to thwart.

The DC Universe is currently active, with Creature Commandos available for streaming on HBO Max right now, and Peacemaker’s second season set to debut there on August 21st. Superman is currently showing in cinemas across the United States.

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2025-07-14 00:11