There were a lot of great takeaways from James Gunn’s Superman but the best of them were undoubtedly the characters. Sure, the story was amazing, but the performers had to bring their characters to life. For example, you have to love Otis (played by Terence Rosemore) and the rest of Lex Luthor’s crew; they weren’t his lackeys, they actually believed in what they were doing, and it showed.
With that in mind, this article will highlight all of the major characters in Superman and the things that made them, well, super.
Superman
Played by: David Corenswet
As cheesy as it may sound, the Man of Steel in this film will leave you feeling hopeful. He was beaten down physically and emotionally, but he never truly gave up. Things did look dark for him, and he started to question some things, but you just knew he’d never give in to the darkness.
Lois Lane
Played by: Rachel Brosnahan
Lois Lane was the brilliant and tough reporter you wanted her to be, but that was a given. There was no way the star of The Marvelous Ms. Maisel wouldn’t be. What should be noted more than anything is how she never bit her tongue when talking to Clark as himself or as Superman. If you've seen the movie, you understand why that element of the character was needed.
Lex Luthor
Played by: Nicholas Hoult
Instead of focusing on Nicholas Hoult’s brilliance as an antagonist to Superman, let’s talk about how purely deplorable his version of Lex was to everyone who annoyed him. Even a random blogger wasn’t safe from his villainy. The best part may have been that he did it without a care in the world. Sometimes he looked proud of himself.
This is what Lex Luthor is all about.
Krypto the Superdog
Krypto the Superdog's arrival was a big part of this movie and the beloved canine didn't disappoint. He wasn’t vicious or huge; he was playful and gentle, but protective of the people that he loved. In short, everything that you’d want from a pupper in a movie featuring this kind of Superman.
As our fellow Bam Smack Pow writer Ashley Wijangco put it: “...the canine's role is an important aspect that helps characterize the kind of hero — and human — that Superman has become".
Jimmy Olsen
Played by: Skyler Gisondo
Jimmy Olsen wasn’t bumbling or incompetent. He was confident, amazing at his job, and willing to do uncomfortable things to help. In many ways, Luthor wouldn’t have been in danger if Jimmy hadn't gotten the information Lois and the Daily Planet needed. That makes him one of the MVPs of the film.
Engineer
Played by: María Gabriela de Faría
The Engineer is the perfect example of the lengths a villain will go to destroy someone or something they hate. She made herself more machine than human because she believed in what Luthor was doing to the Man of Steel. That, and her willingness to die, shows how dedicated she was to the cause.
Mr. Terrific
Played by: Edi Gathegi
Mr. Terrific isn’t a well-known character to people who don’t read comics, and that’s okay. Because, judging by the buzz he's getting online, that will change after this movie.
Mr. Terrific wasn’t just a genius. He was smooth, sassy, serious, and funny. Don’t be surprised if he gets a solo project in the future. In fact, there are already rumors of that happening.
Guy Gardner
Played by: Nathan Fillion
There was never any doubt that Nathan Fillion wasn’t going to kill this role. It isn’t just because he voiced different versions of Green Lantern Hal Jordan for years (some serious, and some silly). It’s because Guy Gardner was the comic book role he was born to play.
There’s also a lot of potential for Nathan Fillion’s Guy Gardner. The goofy and unseriousness are great, but there’s more to him. Hopefully, we’ll see the depth of the character in future projects.
Hawkgirl
Played by: Isabela Merced
As she said in the movie (and I won’t say why), she isn’t Superman because she's willing to do things Supers and her teammates may not. You’ll also see her lack of caring about people’s feelings as she makes smart remarks in Superman and season 2 of Peacemaker when she and the other members of the Justice Gang interview Christopher Smith.
Perry White
Played by: Wendell Pierce
Metropolis was being destroyed by a blackhole, people around the city were being evacuated, but Perry White had a story that needed to be told. He didn’t overreact, and you didn’t see a bead of sweat fall off his face. He remained calm and cool the entire time and made sure everything was reported properly.
This is who Perry White is and always will be!
Ma and Pa Kent
Played by: Neva Howell (Martha) and Pruitt Taylor Vince (Jonathan Kent)
Ma and Pa Kent were wholesome, loving, and welcoming. They may not have been in Superman much, but they were placed at the right time to help the movie progress. Their appearance alone was enough to warm the hearts of the entire theater. In short, they were flawless.
Eve Teschmacher
Played by: Sara Sampaio
It’s difficult to talk about what made Miss Teschmacher great without spoiling her character. Let’s just say that there are a couple of moments where she steals the show beyond being funny. The creative team did a fantastic job showing that you shouldn't judge a book by its cover.
Supergirl
Played by: Milly Alcock
Kara Zor-El didn’t appear until the end of the movie, but it was exactly what the audience needed. Her appearance showed everyone what they will be getting into when Supergirl debuts in 2026. That said, now is the perfect time to read the comic book the film is based on (the legendary Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow).
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