James Gunn's Superman movie adds another surprising DC character to cast

James Gunn's Superman movie is currently filming, so we've been getting a number of exciting updates and reports from production over the past few weeks. The most recent of those is another casting announcement.

As revealed by The Hollywood Reporter, Saturday Night Live star Beck Bennett has officially joined the cast of James Gunn’s Superman.

As the trade noted, the filming of James Gunn's Superman is still in full swing in Atlanta, GA. This aligns with the ongoing reports, a variety of social media posts, and insiders' discussions, all of which point to a smooth and exciting production process for the latest DC Comics film. 

Adding to the surprise, Gunn chimed in on the casting, confirming the report via Instagram and revealed that Bennett would be stepping into the shoes of Metropolis’s number one sports reporter, Steve Lombard. This character, known for his wit and charm in the source material, is sure to bring a new dynamic to the DC Universe.   

Gunn posted the caption "Welcome to the DCU, Steve Lombard"

Once again, all signs suggest that Gunn and his cabinet within the DC Studios banner have been hard at work finding the right pieces to add to the ever-growing puzzle, as the inclusion of Bennett is a smart move. The actor is known for his comedic relief and as being a man of a million impressions during his time with SNL for eight seasons, highlighting his range. He is no doubt a great choice to breathe life into a character that is not as well known to mainstream audiences. 

This news is an excellent indication that the David Corenswet-led production will touch upon the duality of Clark Kent the reporter, and his alter ego, Superman “The Man of Tomorrow,” as there definitely appears to be a broader focus on the daily routine with the Daily Planet. 

This seems particularly true given that significant pieces are already in place, such as Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo's casting as Jimmy Olsen, and Wendel Pierce as Editor-in-Chief Perry White. Cat Grant is the most famous character within the iconic publication that has not yet been cast, but it remains to be seen if the character will appear in the film. With this casting quite possibly almost at completion, the iconic reporter could be shelved for a possible sequel down the line. 

Though I do enjoy the value of having established heroes in place as well, with the cast’s ensemble also featuring Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor himself, it's nice to see such a focus on bringing the Daily Planet characters to life as well.  

All signs point to Gunn crafting a tale worthy of the Man of Steel while bringing something new to the expansive lore that spans over 86 years that reflects the popularity and ingenuity of the hero of Metropolis and the last son of Krypton.

With the recent report that Bennett will join the ensemble as Lombard, I wonder if anyone else could join, and if so, who? 

Superman files into theaters on July 11, 2025.

Are you excited about the DCU? What's your favorite variation of Metropolis? What's the one character Gunn should cast next?