James Gunn Reveals The ‘Very Popular’ Character He Has Major Plans For In The DCU

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James Gunn shared encouraging updates regarding his vision for a specific superhero. He’s continuing to build upon the successful relaunch of what was formerly the DCEU, now known simply as the DC Universe. The huge popularity of Gunn’s Superman movie, expected in summer 2025, stemmed from multiple factors, and one key element was the captivating performance of Mister Terrific, brilliantly portrayed by actor Edi Gathegi.

Gathegi’s portrayal of the character was captivating, bringing energy to every scene, whether deeply serious or lightheartedly funny. Viewers around the world quickly became eager to see more of this smart, yet uniquely charming and relatable DC character that Gathegi brought to life, and he’s now gained recognition as a star in his own right.

James Gunn, known for listening to fans and recognizing what’s popular, wants to build on the excitement created by Mister Terrific’s recent appearance with Superman. After already announcing Superman: Man of Tomorrow – which will bring back Michael Beach as Mister Terrific – Gunn is emphasizing how crucial this character will be to the future of the DC Universe. He’s really highlighting the importance of a character that hadn’t previously received much attention.

“I’ve got major plans for Mister Terrific,” Gunn told Phase Hero: A Film and TV Podcast. “[The fan response] definitely influences things. I don’t know — you’re going around the planet, you’re drilling for oil and, once in a while, you get a geyser. Mister Terrific is a geyser, very popular.” Gunn added, “We just got a bunch of information back on what people liked about Superman and like, looking back, they love Guy Gardner. When I see that sort of stuff, it makes a difference to me.”

Gunn also mentioned that while the overwhelmingly positive response to Mister Terrific is great, it doesn’t completely change things. However, his overall message suggests he’s already envisioning a significant role for the character in the future of the DCU. This is hinted at by Michael Rooker’s appearance as the character in season 2 of Peacemaker, which is currently available on HBO Max.

James Gunn Looks Back On Guardians of the Galaxy

To emphasize his idea, Gunn pointed to how he developed the character Nebula in Guardians of the Galaxy. He transformed her from what many initially saw as a minor, unremarkable character into one of the most popular figures throughout the three movies.

I really enjoyed the character of Nebula in Guardians 1,” he said. “I was excited about her potential and how she could develop. When I initially brought Karen [Gillan] on board and showed her the concept art, I told her, ‘You’re going to become a guardian of the galaxy,’ and she was completely surprised! In the first movie, she was just a small, villainous character.

Building on this, Gunn explained, “In the first movie, she did not register. She was not a fan favorite. But I knew what that character could become, and I knew what Karen could do with that character, and she became a major character in Guardians 2 and a favorite character in Guardians 3. There’s a balance. I listen to the fans and to what’s working, and to what’s not.”

It’s clear that Mister Terrific is a hit in 2025 – everything is going right for the character. This is a huge win for Gunn, who had a well-developed plan for Superman’s smartest friend in the DC Universe. What’s even better is that the plan seems to be working even before it’s fully revealed, judging by the enthusiastic reaction to the character’s introduction. Fans already see the cinematic Mister Terrific as living up to his name.

The next installment after James Gunn’s hit Superman movie from summer 2025, titled Man of Tomorrow, will be released in cinemas on July 9, 2027.

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2025-10-02 17:08