Another DC legend will appear in James Gunn's Superman movie

James Gunn's Superman movie is on the horizon, with Clark Kent and Lois Lane's return to the big screen set for summer 2025. As production is ongoing, we are being treated to a number of new and recent castings, many of whom will be playing iconic DC characters. Now, we have another one joining in on the DC Universe's first film.

On April 17, The Wrap revealed that Neva Howell has officially joined the cast of the movie as the Man of Steel’s adopted mother, Ma Kent, better known as Martha Kent. This comes after the outlet also reported that Pruitt Taylor Vincent had joined the film as Martha's husband Jonathan Kent, essentially filling out the ranks of those who run the farm in Smallville. 

Howell has appeared in numerous film and TV projects throughout her career. Her most recent credits, which are most recognizable, include Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Long Haul, Steven Soderbergh’s Logan Lucky, and My Fellow Americans.

The character of Martha Kent was first brought to life on the big screen by Phyllis Thaxter in Richard Donner's 1978 game-changer Superman: The Movie. After that, Eva Marie Saint took over the role during Bryan Singer's 2006 legacy sequel. Most recently, Diane Lane brought the character to life in the DCEU when she debuted in Zack Snyder’s Man Of Steel before making additional appearances in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and both variations of Justice League. 

Like many characters in the Superman lore (including her husband Jonathan), Martha has perhaps experienced her greatest stories on television. Annette O'Toole, who once played Lana Lang in Superman III, portrayed the character on The WB / CW series Smallville. She appeared regularly for six of its ten seasons, recurring throughout the rest. To say she has become the definitive version of Martha to a legion of fans would be an understatement.

With the character being involved in Gunn's Superman movie, it’s going to be awesome to see the Kent family reunited on our screens, but one does wonder now that the film is about two months through filming, will the adoptive parents of the Blue Boyscout have a minor role? Or could it even be diminished to that of a cameo? Of course, with that all being brought to light, one could also note that the character and ideology of Clark Kent, a.k.a. Superman, are predicated on the values and teachings of the Kents - so whether they are in the movie for long or not, the Kents presences will be felt throughout. 

Gunn has discussed this before, noting that his film will tackle the duality of how Clark Kent and the Man of Steel coincide in a world full of heroes. 

Superman will be released in theaters on July 11, 2025, as part of the Summer of Superman.