Isabela Merced opened up about her audition experience for the Hawkgirl role in James Gunn’s Superman. She revealed that she was terrified before the audition and feared that she would mess it up. However, Merced was confirmed for the role and fans even got a first look at her comic-accurate costume in the leaked photos from the set.
During the audition, she met Nathan Fillion, who was locked for the role of Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, and Edi Gathegi. Merced is slowly finding her way to every popular franchise. She was seen in SSU’s Madame Web earlier this year. She is also part of Alien: Romulus and The Last of Us Season 2.
Isabela Merced Was Nervous About Meeting James Gunn And Superman Cast
During an interview with Josh Horowitz on his podcast, Happy Sad Confused, Isabela Merced shared about her several upcoming roles including Hawkgirl in Superman. Merced shared that the film had a decoy funny name for her character before it was revealed that she was auditioning for Hawkgirl.
However, Merced was aware that it was a superhero role and many of the “themes and conversations” during the decoy role made it into the actual film. Merced revealed that when she first met James Gunn, it was like meeting an entity that made her nervous. Merced revealed that Gunn had done his research on her and knew of her work. She shared on Happy Sad Confused:
I ended up meeting James and he seemed like such an entity as opposed to a person. So I was kind of nervous meeting him. But he kind of read me right away I guess and kind of knew who I was immediately and what I bring to the table.
The Sweet Girl actress revealed that she did a self-tape and Zoom read before she attended the actual audition in Los Angeles. During the audition, she was once again nervous to find herself among stars like Nathan Fillion and Edi Gathegi. She shared that she read lines along with them and Jennifer Holland, who was filling in for the role of Lois Lane.
Holland is the wife of Gunn and appeared opposite John Cena in the Guardians of the Galaxy director’s DC series Peacemaker. Merced feared that she would mess up the audition as she stood among these celebrated actors. Merced shared:
I did a self-tape and then Zoom read. Then I went to LA and they told me I was going to be testing. I was super nervous. It was literally just me Edi and Nathan. Nathan had already been cast. Jen [Jennifer Holland], James’ wife was reading for the role of Lois at the time which is really cool. At that point, I was like, ‘Oh God it’s my job to mess it up now.’
The Instant Family actress found out from Gunn later that day that she had landed the role. She revealed that it was a very emotional moment for her to play a DC character in the Superman film. She shared, “I thought about telling my mom and I started to cry. I was like, ‘Oh I can’t wait to tell my mom.'” Merced also shared about her experience on the set with Josh Horowitz.
Isabela Merced Says Superman Is Funny, Clever, and Heartwarming
Speaking of the David Corenswet film, Isabela Merced shared that it was a comic-accurate film with a “James Gunn twist” in it. She felt the movie was funny and clever yet heartwarming, and expressed her excitement about working with Gunn. Merced shared on Happy Sad Confused:
I really think it’s funny, it’s clever, but it’s heartwarming. At least, that was my experience on set. Obviously, things can change in the editing room but, God, I loved James.
She shared that Gunn knew exactly what he wanted and the entire crew, who had been working with him for over 20 years, were prepared to ride along with their director. Merced also shared the one character that she was most excited for the viewers to see in the film.
She shared that Nathan Fillion‘s Guy Gardner/Green Lantern was a fantastic addition to the film. Merced shared, “I’m so excited for everyone to see Nathan Fillion. I think he’s fantastic.” Fans are also excited to see The Rookie star finally playing a live-action version of the character.
Superman is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.
