Spoilers ahead for James Gunn’s Superman
James Gunn has had an impressive career since his blockbuster debut in 2014 with the firstGuardians of the Galaxy. The film broke box office records and received critical acclaim for its heartfelt and humanistic portrayal of otherwise outlandish and high-concept Marvel characters. The writer-director has developed close working relationships with several actors, cinematographers, and composers that have collaborated with him on multiple projects. One such collaborator, who played a key character in theGuardiansfilms, returned to lend a hand inSuperman.
Aspreviously revealedin a social media post, Bradley Cooper will be featured in James Gunn’s first DCU movie,Superman. He will play a minor role as Jor-El, Clark’s biological father from the planet Krypton, who sent his son away before the planet died. Gunn was asked in an interview (that has since been deleted) about Cooper’s inclusion in the film, to which Gunn said, “Really, Bradley’s just doing me a favor. He’s a friend. We’ve stayed in close contact since the ‘Guardians’ movies. I admire him greatly as an actor and as a director.”
‘Superman’ Director James Gunn Reveals Several Major ‘Guardians’ Cameos in Upcoming DCU Film
Possible spoilers ahead!
Cooper provided the voice of Rocket Raccoon in all threeGuardians of the Galaxymovies, and undoubtedly worked closely with Gunn to develop the character and his unique voice. The director has been incredibly vocal since the firstGuardiansfilm about how important Rocket would be to the trilogy as a whole, with the character being the primary focus of the final entry in the trilogy before Gunn departed for DC Studios.
James Gunn Enjoys Putting the Same Actors in Different Roles
Given James Gunn’s track record of continually bringing in actors he has worked closely with before, it’s unsurprising that Bradley Cooper would make a small appearance as Jor-El. Moreover, just because the actor has now been cast in that role doesn’t necessarily mean that he will be relegated to that part for the remainder of Gunn’s DCU. Just as much as the writer and director enjoy working with the same set of actors, he also enjoys recasting them in different roles.
Look no further than Nathan Fillion, who played The Detachable Kid (TDK) in the opening scene ofThe Suicide Squadin 2021, where the character would die a violent death. Fillion has since returned to the DCU, not as TDK, but instead in a much more prominent role as the Green Lantern Guy Gardner inSuperman.Michael Rooker, who played Yondu in Gunn’sGuardianstrilogy, also played the now-dead villain Savant in The Suicide Squad, and will be playing another obscure character inPeacemakerSeason 2.
While Cooper may have a fun appearance as an integral character in Superman’s past, the actor may still yet appear as another DC character, should Gunn and Safran find him a good fit in another vital role. Moreover, Gunn expressed his admiration for Cooper not only as an actor but also as a director, suggesting that Cooper’s involvement in the DCU may extend beyond acting. Gunn’s creative-driven approach to the DCU feels like it is filled with endless possibilities, and seeing Cooper in a cameo role will undoubtedly be fun.
Written and directed by James Gunn, Superman is the first movie in Warner Bros.' rebooted DC Universe to center around the titular comic book hero. It introduces a new version of the Man of Steel after Henry Cavill’s departure from the role, honoring the character’s roots as “the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way.”
