‘Superman’ Breakout Sara Sampaio Explains How She Captured Cinema’s Most Consequential Selfies

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[This story contains spoilers for Superman (2025).]

In the beginning, it was expected that Sara Sampaio‘s character, Eve Teschmacher, would be misunderstood; however, it took time for people to truly understand and appreciate her role in the story.

Upon the release of the official trailer for James Gunn’s Superman, the Portuguese actress realized why some viewers found her character’s decision to snap selfies during an attack on Metropolis puzzling. It was later revealed that she was in the LutherCorp control room, masterminding the very attack, and thus was never at any immediate risk herself. Nevertheless, the act seemed unsuitable considering the danger it posed to the innocent citizens caught up in Lex Luthor’s (Nicholas Hoult) sinister plan.

Sampaio acknowledges that Eve’s excessive preoccupation with selfies is exaggerated for comedic purposes, but it’s based on real-life trends. For instance, during the numerous protests in 2020, influencers were found staging photo opportunities before quickly returning home. Even historical sites like the Auschwitz Museum in Poland have to repeatedly ask visitors to stop taking selfies on grounds where over a million lives were lost. With so many people carrying cameras at all times, it’s inevitable that boundaries will sometimes be transgressed.

Essentially, Eve’s obsession with selfies served multiple purposes, not just for social media vanity. It also functioned as a means of safeguarding herself, should she end up being another former girlfriend of Lex Luthor in his custody. This precaution led her to uncover Lex’s plan to orchestrate a war abroad, disguised as an attempt to eliminate Superman.

From the beginning, people doubted Eve: ‘What’s she doing in this film? Why is she constantly taking selfies? This is just foolishness,’ Sampaio remembers telling The Hollywood Reporter. However, now everyone is exclaiming, ‘Ah!’ as Eve rescues the situation at the end, and it turns out to be a clever demonstration of how people and characters are not simply one-dimensional.”

Or, in a more conversational tone:

“Initially, people didn’t think much of Eve: ‘What’s her role here? Why is she always taking selfies? This seems pointless,’ Sampaio shared with The Hollywood Reporter. But then, at the end, everyone was surprised when Eve stepped up and saved the day, showing how characters aren’t just one-dimensional.

As a renowned model-turned-actor, Sampaio might have experienced comparable scrutiny throughout her relentless pursuit of her initial dream over the past seven years.

Acting has been my true passion all along, rather than modeling. Though I’m grateful for the experiences I gained from modeling, it never felt completely satisfying. Acting was always in the back of my mind, but I wanted to excel at it and didn’t have time for classes due to my modeling commitments. At some point, I had to make a choice, step back from modeling, and concentrate on honing my acting skills.

As Gunn was reviewing audition tapes for Eve Teschmacher, it was actually his wife, Jennifer Holland, who noticed potential in Sampaio and encouraged him to take a second glance at her.

During the opening event, Sampaio expressed his gratitude to Jennifer by saying, ‘I wouldn’t have been here if not for her bringing my self-tape to James’ attention. I owe her a big thank you.’

In a recent chat with THR, Sampaio shares insights about the selfie-taking spree during her 20-day filming stint and mentions some cut scenes from the Fortress of Solitude scene.

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“Over the weekend, I couldn’t help but feel an adrenaline rush from the box office earnings and audience responses. Did we have a little chat in our gaming crew about it all?”

Absolutely, we’ve got a chat room named “The Superman Gang,” where we often tease our friend Beck [Bennett]. I should add, he handles it well. This weekend, the banter has been particularly lively as everyone seems to be quite enthusiastic. (Laughs))

As a gamer, I’ve always been known for my victories on the runway, but in 2018, I decided to pack up and move to L.A., ready to conquer a fresh challenge in the world of acting. Was there a sense of needing something new in my life? Absolutely!

Acting has always been my passion, even during my time at the University of Lisbon where I initially intended to study acting, but was persuaded by my parents to pursue a more traditional degree instead. Modeling came next, and while I’m grateful for the experience, it didn’t feel like the right path for me. There was always an emptiness that modeling couldn’t fill. So, acting remained in the back of my mind, but I felt I needed to hone my skills, which I couldn’t do with modeling taking up most of my time. That’s when I decided to take a step back from modeling and focus on honing my acting abilities. I knew that if I didn’t try then, I might never get the chance.

Eventually, you recorded a self-tape, which you understood was for the role of Superman. Interestingly, it was James Gunn’s wife, Jennifer Holland, who drew his attention to you.

At the opening event, I expressed gratitude to Jennifer for bringing my self-tape to James’ attention, which ultimately led me to attend. I owe so much to her.

How confident were you going into the screen test? 

Initially, I was incredibly anxious. The role I adored was Superman, which was both exciting and daunting. With everything shifting to self-tape and Zoom during the pandemic, my chances for in-person auditions were limited. Consequently, I wasn’t sure what to anticipate. Given the character’s inherent instability, I channeled that nervous energy into the role. As I prepared myself, I thought, “Give it your best, showcase your interpretation, and enjoy the process.” After all, merely being able to do a chemistry read in front of James Gunn was an extraordinary opportunity. So, I didn’t set any expectations and aimed to avoid putting undue pressure on myself. Instead, I focused on being thankful for the chance I’d been given.

Did you read with both Nick Hoult and Skyler Gisondo?

It was just me and Skyler. Most of my scenes are with Skyler, and we had a lot of fun. 

Aren’t you two already familiar with each other, as you had worked together on an Armani campaign a while ago?

Indeed, during our tenure with Armani, we frequently crossed paths. Thus, when I learned Nick had been chosen to portray Lex Luthor, I found solace in the thought that I’d have a familiar face within the cast. Nick is an exceptionally kind individual, and I knew I could turn to him for advice or support if needed. Remarkably, every cast member turned out to be outstanding, making me feel incredibly comfortable and at home among them.

Are there many individuals resembling Eve Teschmacher that we find today? Was your portrayal inspired by a specific person?

Instead of directly modeling her after any specific individual, there’s an undeniable influence of myself in her character. It’s likely that aspects of my friends are reflected in her as well. Additionally, the characters Harley Quinn and the original Eve Teschmacher (portrayed by Valerie Perrine) in the Richard Donner Superman movies served as inspirations for me. Both characters have a unique blend of being sex symbols yet maintaining an endearing quality that I wanted to preserve. As a result, my main goal was to make her appear authentic and relatable.

Has James Gunn, who worked with Daniela Melchior from The Suicide Squad, been fortunate with Portuguese actors? Did he ever arrange a conversation for you both?

Since Portugal’s industry isn’t particularly large, it wasn’t surprising that I already knew Daniela. In fact, we share a number of mutual friends. Whenever I see a fellow Portuguese individual thrive, it brings me great joy, so when she landed the role, I extended my congratulations and even formed a friendship with her. However, due to her residing in Portugal, our meetings aren’t as frequent.

Jimmy and Lex are complete contrasts in many ways. One has a lot of hair, while the other doesn’t have any at all. One is relatively short, whereas the other stands quite tall. One earns a decent income as a journalist; the other boasts billions. How do you interpret Eve’s vast range of connections?

(Chuckles.) It doesn’t seem like Eve is accustomed to hearing ‘no’ often. Instead, she’s more familiar with getting what she desires. Lex, being powerful, wealthy, and handsome, presents a lifestyle and security that she may not be entirely comfortable with. However, what she yearns for most is security, and Lex appears to offer that. Yet, given his history with past relationships, Eve needs to ensure her own safety [by taking incriminating selfies as a precaution].

Jimmy might have been the one to decline her, making him unusual in her eyes. This thought process of hers can be likened to, “What do you mean you don’t want to be with me? Everyone seems interested in me. Now I’m even more determined to have you. The fact that you don’t want to be with me just makes me want you more.” This mindset revolves around a desire for conquest and intricate games of chase and evade.

When Eve initially released her first selfie during an attack, some found it peculiar. However, in today’s world where people take selfies in various situations, even those deemed inappropriate, I find such behavior to be quite authentic. For instance, during the 2020 protests, influencers were seen posing for photos before leaving the scene. Did Eve’s actions ever seem genuine to you, considering they were somewhat exaggerated?

Absolutely, Eve’s character in the film is clearly comedic, yet James repeatedly emphasized to me that she needed to seem authentic, relatable. As you pointed out, people do take selfies at tragic places like concentration camps. Eve seems oblivious to what’s inappropriate, viewing it as a chance for a viral photo. Her attention is primarily on social media success, revealing a self-absorbed mindset. However, she’s not devoid of intelligence and uses this trait to her benefit.

If you had to guess, how many total selfies did you take on set?

During the production of my character’s show, I had a specific phone assigned to me and found myself constantly snapping selfies. In total, I estimate I took well over a thousand photos, even though I was only physically on set for approximately 20 days out of the seven-month shoot. Needless to say, there were plenty of selfie sessions throughout that period! Frankly, I can’t wait to get my hands on that phone again; it holds some genuinely humorous shots.

Were you able to snap a few selfies on set with your own phone? 

Absolutely, I did take a few pictures. I ought to have simply transferred the selfies from Eve’s phone to mine via AirDrop, but I have a handful that I snapped using my own device. I’m considering sharing some of them on my Instagram account.

Was James responsible for taking some of her close-up selfie shots in the movie with the same level of detail as the rest, or were many of them actually taken by someone else?

The selfies were a mix of spontaneous and carefully planned ones. Some required specific elements in the background for intentional purposes. For instance, there’s one with Eve and “Mr. Handsome,” the odd-looking alien who pilots the transport vehicle in that pocket universe we call home. We gave him the nickname “Mr. Handsome” ironically because he’s far from it. However, a photo exists where Eve is sitting on his lap, which was quite amusing to capture. Naturally, Eve would snap a selfie with him and consider it the coolest thing ever. Some selfies were purely organic, while others demanded precision, so James was there to help me navigate the process.

If someone sees you snapping selfies in public places, they’ll likely draw comparisons between you and the biblical character Eve. Given this, do you believe you’ll be taking fewer selfies from now on?

(Chuckles.) I rarely snap selfies in natural settings, and following this film, I’m not sure if I’d be keen on taking a selfie for a while. Ever since the Instagram series “Influencers in the Wild” started, I’ve become a bit apprehensive about being featured; Eve would undoubtedly be all over it. However, if someone wishes to take a selfie with me, I’d gladly oblige! It’s part of her charm, and I’m thrilled that people are embracing her and her selfies.

It’s my hope that viewers perceive this character as being more than just an influencer and superficial. After all, intelligent individuals can appreciate flashy, pink outfits adorned with glitter. People are multifaceted. In the case of Lex, his fear of Superman is understandable to some extent, but the methods he employs to express this fear are misguided. Furthermore, it’s remarkable that even the series’ main villain evokes a modicum of sympathy in us, and that’s a testament to James’ exceptional writing skills.

Initially, everyone doubted Eve’s role in the film: “What on earth is she doing here? This selfie-taking seems pointless and foolish.” However, as it turned out, Eve was the heroine who ultimately rescued the day, cleverly demonstrating that people and characters can surprise us by having layers beyond initial impressions.

Indeed, reactions to Eve’s character in the film have been quite diverse. Some viewers consider her the standout or heroine of the movie, while others perceive the movie as being unfair towards her. However, I find myself reminiscing about Lois’ comment to Jimmy: “Your ex is a genius.” Given that Eve played an instrumental role in bringing down Lex and restoring Superman’s reputation, what do you personally think about how she was portrayed in the film?

As a devoted fan, I’ve been known to jest that Eve is constantly on the receiving end of everyone’s scolding, but there’s more to her than meets the eye. While she does make decisions that may seem irrational in the moment, such as snapping selfies at inopportune times, these actions were cleverly designed to highlight the complexities of human nature. In truth, Eve was prioritizing her own well-being, which ultimately resulted in a heroic act that saved the day for all of us. By skillfully manipulating her tools and the perception others have of her, she demonstrated a level of cunning that borders on genius. Yet, Eve remains an intense character with an insatiable appetite for attention, and this intensity proved to be more than Jimmy could handle.

Jimmy gave Eve the nickname “Cryptic Digits” on his phone. I understand that he might have been acting unkindly, but have you ever wondered if maybe she could be a potential metahuman?

In our conversation, I inquired from James the meaning behind his term “Mutant Toes”. He explained that James is merely finding reasons not to like a certain person, Eve, by fabricating flaws. Since I have attractive feet, this perspective became clearer to me and he further confirmed his sentiment about James being unfair towards Eve. In simpler terms, James dislikes Eve, so he’s exaggerating minor issues or even inventing problems that don’t exist, just to validate his feelings. (Laughs.)

Is it difficult for Eve, who towers over Jimmy, to leap onto him while donning large platform shoes at the finale?

(Chuckles.) I often tease that I performed my own stunts. While everyone had stand-ins for the difficult ones, it was actually me, strutting around in those large heels. And since they were platform shoes, it wasn’t as tough. There’s also a running joke about her peculiar running style, attributed to her always wearing tight dresses and towering heels. Consequently, she adopts quick penguin-like steps to speed up, and I mainly focused on not tripping over.

“Hey there! I was wondering if you could clarify something for me. You mentioned earlier about a cut scene where Ultraman lands a punch on Superman’s dog, Krypto. Could you tell me if this scene took place in the Fortress of Solitude?”

It wasn’t anticipated how wildly popular [the scene] would become, but indeed, it took place in the Fortress of Solitude. At some stage, one doesn’t wish to carry out actions merely to surprise or shock, and James Wan made a wise choice for the film.

Is there anything else involving Eve that didn’t make the cut?

During my walk towards the Fortress of Solitude, there was a brief moment where I encountered a monster in the snow, which Krypto eliminated. My reaction, similar to “Oh!”, was portrayed, but the subsequent photo I took didn’t make it into the final film. Many small details get left out due to time constraints, particularly if they don’t contribute significantly to the plot. However, when comparing the script to the movie, I can’t say much has been omitted, honestly.

In the years to come, when looking back on this memory, which scene or event from the Superman series do you think will stand out most vividly in your mind first?

On my inaugural day working alongside James and an extraordinary cast, we found ourselves shooting in the breathtakingly surreal Svalbard, serving as our Fortress of Solitude’s exterior set. This location was nothing short of mind-blowing, a once-in-a-lifetime experience that instantly left me spellbound. It was my and Nick’s debut day on camera, with Gabby and David also present. I can vividly remember the trembling in my fingers as I recited my lines for the very first time; the adrenaline coursing through my veins was almost unbearable. “Take a deep breath,” I whispered to myself, before we tried again. The juxtaposition of my initial apprehension, the stunning scenery, and the camaraderie that unfolded among us is etched into my memory, a vivid testament to my newfound passion for this craft. That day, as I basked in the joy and exhilaration of it all, I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I wanted to dedicate the rest of my life to this extraordinary world of filmmaking.

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Superman (2025) is now playing in movie theaters nationwide.

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2025-07-16 02:55