The DCEU has faced its fair share of ups and downs lately. But one consistent point of praise has been the casting choices, particularly actors like Henry Cavill as Superman and Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman.
Anyways, James Gunn is now all set to change the whole universe. While his reboot sounds like a fresh idea, there is also a bittersweet feeling because they’re shaking up the cast.
Gunn and Peter Safran seem to have something new in the works, and it makes sense why they’re opting for younger actors like David Corenswet (as they provide longevity and potential for more movies in the future).
After his casting as Clark Kent/Superman in June 2023, new cast names were soon revealed, including Nicholas Hoult as the classic villain Lex Luthor. Most recently, the actor for Perry White has also been announced.
James Gunn’s Superman Casts Perry White Role
James Gunn‘s DCU’s story is split into chapters. It kicks off with Gods and Monsters, starting in 2024 with the animated series Creature Commandos. However, Superman (2025) marks the true beginning of the DCU, and it has fans all excited.
Now, there is a new update about the film as per The Hollywood Reporter. Wendell Pierce, the actor best known for his work as a detective on HBO’s seminal crime series The Wire, has been cast in Superman (2025). He will portray the iconic editor-in-chief of The Daily Planet, Perry White.
Perry White is a character closely associated with Superman, appearing first in a radio serial in 1940. He’s the boss of both Clark Kent and Lois Lane.
The character of Perry White has been portrayed in movies by Jackie Cooper (in the Christopher Reeve‘s films), Frank Langella (in Bryan Singer‘s version), and Laurence Fishburne (in the Snyderverse movies of the 2010s).
Now, Pierce’s casting in the upcoming Superman feature has sparked a new discussion that the co-CEO of DC took cues from Zack Snyder‘s DCEU.
James Gunn’s Latest Superman Casting Fuels Snyderverse Imitation Speculation
The upcoming Superman movie is the first solo project in over ten years after Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, starring Henry Cavill as the lead. Some fans believe James Gunn is drawing inspiration from the Snyderverse for his first DCU movie.
Since the announcement of Suits star Wendell Pierce to play Perry White in the Gunn’s superhero movie has been announced, this has fans comparing it to Snyder’s choice of Laurence Fishburne for the same role in the DCEU. Because this is the second time in a row where the character is black again. Check out some fan reactions on this:
This guy is a great actor but if it’s not apparent by now, Gunn is legit just copying Snyder. 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/9143jRSzYG
— Robert Menn (@RobertMenn) March 1, 2024
It’s like he’s copying Zack Snyder, but that’s too simple. I think he’s also casting him to counter the critique of his casting of the Otis character.
— TheCat (@F8_iLL) March 2, 2024
Snyder is the blueprint
— George Mirnic (@CthulhuGeorge) March 1, 2024
… yet again, Perry White is black? Seriously? I'd prefer having an actor for Perry White who LOOKS like Perry White, and isn't just backwashed for contrived inclusion.
Between this and changing the title for the movie, I'm starting to see warning signs on this project.
— GrumpyFemboy (@GrumpyFemboy) March 2, 2024
This is the second time they race-swapped Perry White.
Stop. Just. Stop.— Jonah Mack (@DrTyrminus) March 1, 2024
Filming for the new DC Comics character-based feature started in Atlanta on Thursday. Gunn’s cast includes Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio playing Eve Teschmacher, Edi Gathegi portraying Mister Terrific, Terence Rosemore as Otis, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, and María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer.
James Gunn’s Superman is set to release on 11 July 2025.
