James Gunn’s Superman Casting Brings Marvel Stars to the DC Universe
James Gunn’s Superman casting is officially bridging his Marvel past with his DCU future. During a press stop with Buzzfeed Australia, Gunn confirmed that Bradley Cooper, Pom Klementieff, and Michael Rooker—all of Guardians of the Galaxy fame—have joined the cast of Superman (2025).
“I will give you something that nobody knows,” Gunn said.
“Pom Klementieff is one of the robots. In that same scene, it’s Bradley [Cooper], it’s also Pom, and Michael Rooker is another one of the robots. We’ve got two Guardians right there.”
Overall, this casting announcement adds an exciting Marvel-DC crossover twist to the DCU’s first major film, further building anticipation for what’s to come.
What Are Their Roles in James Gunn’s Superman Casting?
All three actors appear in the Fortress of Solitude, likely in the sequence where Superman recovers from a brutal battle using Kryptonian technology.
- Pom Klementieff voices one of the restoration robots.
- Michael Rooker, who already stars in Creature Commandos and Peacemaker Season 2, voices another.
- Bradley Cooper’s role remains unconfirmed. While some believe he voices a robot, others suspect he may appear as Jor-El, Superman’s father.
Cooper’s casting has been rumored for months, and this official confirmation finally clears the air—even if his full role remains a mystery.
Could More Guardians of the Galaxy Actors Join the DCU?
When asked whether other Guardians actors like Dave Bautista or Zoe Saldaña might appear in Superman or future DCU projects, Gunn responded:
“We’re keeping them in the wing.”
This cryptic answer, therefore, strongly suggests that more Marvel-D.C. crossovers may be coming in future chapters of the DCU. In fact, Gunn has a well-established reputation for reuniting collaborators across multiple franchises. Consequently, these surprises may only be the beginning of a much larger pattern. Looking ahead, fans can likely expect even more familiar faces to appear as the DCU expands.
Full Cast of Superman (2025)
Here’s the full cast revealed so far for Superman, which launches DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters:
- David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman
- Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane
- Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor
- Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl
- Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific
- Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner
- Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho
- Bradley Cooper, Pom Klementieff, and Michael Rooker in supporting or voice roles
- Others: Skyler Gisondo, Sara Sampaio, María Gabriela de Faría, and more
A Bold Start to James Gunn’s Superman Casting Strategy
With Superman (2025) hitting theaters on July 11, 2025, Gunn is clearly setting a bold tone for the DCU—one that blends legacy talent with fresh creative vision. By casting familiar Marvel actors, he’s not just engaging in fan service; instead, he’s signaling a deeper continuity in storytelling quality. Moreover, it reflects his commitment to trusted creative chemistry that spans across cinematic universes.
The film also marks the cinematic kickoff of the new DCU, following the animated Creature Commandos series.
For fans of Gunn’s past work and those excited for a fresh Superman saga, this casting update is a big reason to be hopeful.
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