‘Superman’ Scene-Stealer Edi Gathegi Explains How His Mister Terrific Role Atones for a Broken ‘X-Men’ Promise

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Beyond the actual film, the most heartwarming tale linked to James Gunn’s Superman is that of Edi Gathegi.

Or, In a world outside the movie itself, the most uplifting story related to James Gunn’s Superman is about Edi Gathegi.

Fifteen years ago, Gathegi was given the chance to play Darwin in Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class. Before he eventually accepted the role of the mutant who can quickly adapt and heal, he expressed worries about Darwin’s sudden demise halfway through the movie. To Gathegi, this unexpected event highlighted age-old problematic patterns.

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Gathegi expressed his concerns about the film’s racial representation. He pointed out that his character was the only Black character in the movie aside from Zoë Kravitz’s role, and he was also the one who met an unfortunate end halfway through the story. This was back in 2009, and he felt uncomfortable with the trope of killing off the Black character first. He explained, “Killing the Black guy first is such a tired cliché; I can’t go along with this.

Later on, they alleviated his worries by guaranteeing better opportunities ahead, which meant Gathegi would reappear in another X-Men movie due to his character’s power of resurrection.

They emphasized to us that it was crucial for the plotline to spark the mutants’ vengeance over my character’s demise. They also planned to resurrect my character, similar to how it happens in the comics, as [Darwin] cannot perish but instead regenerates. This kept hope alive among us that they would keep their promise. When I didn’t reappear in X-Men: Apocalypse, I realized it must have been canceled.

In 2023, representatives of actor Gathegi were asked to submit a self-recorded audition tape for the role of Mister Terrific/Michael Holt in Gunn’s upcoming Superman film. However, Gathegi was hesitant because he had recently secured a TV role with Robert De Niro and was planning an upcoming trip to Europe. He thought it would just be another audition tape that might get overlooked. However, Gathegi later discovered that the co-CEO of DC Studios and director of Superman were eagerly waiting for him to audition. Unbeknownst to Gathegi, Gunn had already viewed around 200 potential candidates for the role, but hadn’t found the perfect fit yet, leading him to inquire as to why Gathegi hadn’t been considered for the part.

For quite some time, Gathegi and Gunn had crossed paths without much interaction. However, during this period, the actor from Kenya-America found himself reminiscing about a particular compliment that Gunn had made on the red carpet of The Suicide Squad in 2021. In a hurry before departing the country, he quickly recorded a self-tape and sent it off. While traveling towards LAX, Gunn messaged him to express praise for his tape, which ultimately resulted in him being cast as Mister Terrific.

Gathegi’s portrayal of the smooth high-tech superhero and Justice Gang member is being praised as a standout performance that outshines even Superman. For Gathegi, this second opportunity to play a superhero holds greater significance due to his past experiences in the Marvel universe at Fox.

In “X-Men: First Class,” Gathegi felt the message was that, despite being the strongest mutant, he’d still be held back. However, as Mister Terrific in “Superman,” the message now is that, even though he’s one of the most intelligent characters in the universe, he can make a difference and save the world. It’s a shift in the way his character is portrayed and discussed.

In a recent chat with THR, Gathegi shared some backstage tales about Superman, including the unexpected turn of events that made the amusing scene featuring Mister Terrific and David Corenswet’s Superman into the post-credits scene at the last minute.

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It seems logical to begin by discussing your initial experience with the superhero genre, specifically X-Men: First Class. Did you envision this as a singular opportunity for involvement in a superhero movie when it wrapped up production?

To put it simply, I had anticipated continuing my work with that franchise multiple times due to its promising future prospects. I was taken aback when I didn’t receive another invitation to join them.

Was it a last-minute decision that your invulnerable mutant character would make a quick exit? 

Occasionally, large films require actors to accept a role before they’ve even seen the script. In my case, I had just been offered a role in a movie while I was in London. They allowed me a brief window of time to read the script to decide if I wanted to be part of it. After reading it, I contacted my agents and expressed my concerns. The character I was being asked to play was the only Black character in the film apart from Zoë Kravitz’s character, and I was also the only mutant who met an early death during the film. It was 2009, and I felt that the trope of killing off the first Black character was overused and not something I wanted to participate in.

In our discussions, they emphasized that my character’s death was crucial for the narrative development and motivation of the mutants to seek revenge. Furthermore, they planned to resurrect my character, as is common in the comics since Darwin has regenerative abilities. Consequently, we clung to the belief that they would keep their promise.

Was Nick Hoult, portraying Hank McCoy/Beast, present during the events leading up to Darwin’s death? Did he in any way acknowledge or humorously comment on this situation while filming “Superman”?

I’ve gone far past that point now. The most memorable X-Men series for me were “X-Men: First Class,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” “X-Men: Apocalypse,” and “X-Men: Dark Phoenix.” When I chose not to return for “X-Men: Apocalypse,” I felt it was all over. Since then, I’ve mostly moved on without looking back. In fact, I only discuss this topic when others bring it up, but I came to terms with this long ago.

I’m surprised Nick didn’t bring it up as an icebreaker after all these years.

We truly enjoyed shooting [X-Men: First Class] in London. At that time, we were all quite young and received a daily allowance. Additionally, we lived in stunning apartments while contributing to a major Hollywood production, fulfilling a cherished dream. Consequently, it was an incredibly exciting and positive experience overall. However, the way they managed my character left much to be desired.

Indeed, you’ve become quite the standout in the world of Superman. It’s a remarkable turn of events, almost like getting a second chance to shine.

The situation has drastically changed for me as an actor and individual from diverse background. In X-Men: First Class, I felt the message was that, despite being the most powerful mutant, society wouldn’t allow you to fully realize your potential. Conversely, playing Mister Terrific in Superman presents a new narrative where even though you might be one of the smartest characters in the universe, you can still make a difference and save the world. It’s a significant shift in dialogue.

According to James Gunn, finding the right actor for Mister Terrific was extremely challenging. He auditioned around 200 candidates, and at one point he inquired of his casting director why none of them had been read yet. Was that a question you were also curious about?

It’s quite an interesting tale I’m about to share. I attended the premiere of “The Suicide Squad,” where I had a genuine encounter with James. Although we weren’t strangers, it had been a while since we last met. So, on the red carpet, he approached me to express his admiration for my acting performances. It was surprising because I hadn’t realized he had ever watched anything I’d done. Later, I mentally noted that James Gunn is a fan of my work, and I thought, “Perhaps there will be an opportunity for us to collaborate in the future.

When they contacted me to create a recording for Superman, I had recently landed a part opposite Robert De Niro in a TV series called Zero Day. At that point, I felt like I had already achieved what I wanted, so I didn’t feel the need to pursue more opportunities. Additionally, I was planning a trip to Europe the next day, which made auditioning for Superman impractical. Some might think I was being irrational, but in reality, I was taking time off and focusing on my personal life.

Later I learned that James Gunn seemed to be anticipating my audition tape, which made me think, “Ah, that makes sense since I crossed paths with him at the Suicide Squad premiere and he appreciates my acting. If he genuinely wants to see my audition, it implies that this director is indeed going to review my submission.” It’s not always clear who gets to watch your audition tapes. Often, as an actor, you produce them and they feel like they’re vanishing into the abyss. However, in this case, it seemed like James Gunn was the one who would be watching mine for sure.

I prepared and dispatched a tape for an audition before departing for Europe. The following day, while en route to LAX in an Uber, I received a message on Instagram from James Gunn. He said something like, “Hey, you nailed that audition.” And then I thought, “Wow, now I’ll be spending the next two months in Europe wondering if I actually got the part in the new Superman movie.

While in Milan, it struck me that if I landed this role, I’d need an outfit for the red carpet event. Consequently, during my stay, I purchased a suit and a pair of shoes in Milan itself. Amazingly, I had forgotten all about these purchases until the fitting session. Instead, I wore another suit at the event. However, before even securing the job, the memory of those Milan-bought shoes resurfaced. They had been waiting for two whole years in my closet, and I proudly wore them to last night’s premiere.

Did you actually toss and turn the entire time in Europe? 

In the course of my life, I’ve reached a stage where I value personal life over career advancement. Consequently, during my travels abroad, I managed to keep professional thoughts at bay for the majority of the time. However, I was cognizant that a potential fantastic chance might be within reach. Yet, I chose to have faith in the journey and spend quality time with my family. Unfortunately, my two-month holiday got truncated because they eventually asked me for a screen test, so I returned early to fulfill that requirement.

Did you have to drop out of the De Niro show for Superman?

In the end, I had to abandon the Zero Day film starring Robert De Niro due to overlapping schedules caused by strikes. The key factor in my decision was the opportunity for a longer career trajectory; joining a fresh DC character in a revamped universe seemed like the best option. Regrettably, working with De Niro and the talented director Lesli Linka Glatter was an aspiration of mine, but I had to prioritize the future.

OR

I regretfully had to withdraw from the Zero Day project featuring Robert De Niro, as strikes forced our schedules to clash. However, I found myself drawn to a new DC character in a rebooted universe for its long-term potential. Working with both De Niro and director Lesli Linka Glatter was on my wishlist, but I had to consider the future.

OR

Unfortunately, I had to step away from Zero Day, a film starring Robert De Niro, due to scheduling conflicts brought about by strikes. Yet, I was attracted to the chance of playing a new DC character in a revamped universe for its long-term benefits. Although collaborating with De Niro and director Lesli Linka Glatter was a dream come true, I had to prioritize my career path.

After you began filming Superman, was it accurate to say that you later discarded the decisions you made during recording and instead focused on another take?

James approaches his work with a playful, inventive spirit, constantly experimenting with unconventional ideas. This exploration allows his character to fully embrace a wide range of possibilities. Afterward, he edits his creations to determine what works and what doesn’t. In the process, I discovered myself performing actions that seemed contradictory to my initial expectations for the character. However, upon reviewing the results, I found that the final product was more aligned with the version I presented during the audition – the one that ultimately landed me the role.

It’s clear that ‘Superman’ holds significant importance for Warner Bros. and DC Studios. Could you feel the tension on the set during filming?

There’s no denying the weight of expectations. After all, you’re in a popular genre with a dedicated fanbase, which means you have a lot of people watching. Moreover, significant resources are being poured into this project. This creates self-imposed pressure to perform well and serve the story, the script, and the director. To manage this, you prepare diligently, reminding yourself that you were selected for a reason and you belong there. Ideally, when you arrive on set, you approach your work with confidence, letting go of external pressures so you can concentrate on your craft, support your co-stars, and make thoughtful decisions to enhance each scene. In essence, while pressure is inevitable, the aim is to control it and focus on delivering a quality performance.

The team of Superman and the Justice League shares an alliance, yet they possess varying ideologies. While Superman would never harm even a small squirrel, your character might have to resort to lethal force in certain situations. How do you perceive this contrast?

I believe it’s a decision particular to the movies. If I recall correctly from the comics, Mister Terrific doesn’t kill characters. However, in this film, he does destroy the kaiju, although I suspect he might have killed enemies in the comics. In my opinion, Mister Terrific and Superman share more similarities than differences. Superman represents idealism and follows a moral code, while Mister Terrific champions fair play. His character revolves around using artificial intelligence ethically and disapproving of misuse of power. He believes that with greater power comes increased empathy, not the other way around. And Superman serves as the counterbalance to “absolute power corrupts absolutely.

How surreal was it to look to your left or right and see the Man of Steel fighting alongside you? 

For years, people have been talking about it, but now finally, everyone gets to witness David Corenswet’s portrayal of Superman on screen, a performance that captures the character not just physically, but also in attitude and numerous other aspects. It’s truly inspiring! When I gazed at myself in the mirror, I felt like I was reflecting a person with the potential to change the world. Standing beside such an iconic figure, there are no words sufficient to describe the enchantment of that moment.

As a huge fan, I can’t help but wonder about the thrill you experienced when you had your own action showcase during Terrific’s field trip with Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan. Could you share what was the most exhilarating moment for you while crafting that exciting sequence?

The significance resides solely in the accomplishment itself, which proved to be one of the most challenging tasks I’ve encountered as an actor. I found myself donning a leather costume during the peak of a record-breaking heatwave for the region. Under the scorching sun on a sandy beach with unstable terrain, I repeatedly performed complex fight choreography. Since some of the moves didn’t translate well on camera, we had to improvise modifications to the choreography amidst all the other challenges we were facing at that time.

In a certain instance, I found myself contemplating approaching James privately to propose abandoning the new material and reverting to the old. I felt overwhelmed and declared, “I can’t do this.” To regain my composure, I stepped away from the set, took a deep breath, and gave myself a motivational talk. The essence of that talk was: “You are Superman! This is your dream role. Get back on stage and nail this choreography.” And so, I returned to the set and delivered a successful take. In that moment, I felt grateful for the small miracle that had just occurred.

Did you actually get to shoot on the Cleveland Guardians’ field? 

Absolutely, those days were scorching hot indeed. We found ourselves right in the thick of it. Unlike our previous work in Atlanta on soundstages, we had an abundance of real-world sets to use, which made the entire experience feel more authentic. Since there weren’t many spectators, we could focus solely on our project without any distractions. However, when we moved to the cities, finding suitable locations became challenging. This is when the pressure began to build up, and I started to truly comprehend the scale of what I was part of.

Were you and Maria Gabriela De Faria (The Engineer), who you had trained with for six months prior to the start of filming, excited about your anticipated encounter on the Guardians’ battleground throughout that period?

Absolutely, there was some of that. We exchanged pleasantries. Gabby is incredibly lively and kind-hearted. She’s become a cherished friend, and I adore her dearly. She served as a source of inspiration due to her unwavering dedication to hard work, making her an excellent contrast at the gym. It was understood that it would culminate in the Engineer gaining the capacity to eliminate Mister Terrific when he’s exposed, but his life was spared through Superman’s timely distraction.

Have the stories of DC and Marvel comics often touched on similar themes, and does the Black Panther series deal with the question of sharing Wakanda’s technology with the general public? Does this issue arise in the Terrific series as well?

Certainly,

Indeed, he advocates for sharing his technology globally, and I mentioned this earlier. What sets him apart is his deep interest in ensuring that artificial intelligence (AI) is utilized ethically. In fact, you could say that he would design a philosophical flaw into an AI designed to cause harm, so that it would question its own purpose to destroy everyone. His commitment to ethical AI extends to this level.

This version aims to maintain the original meaning while using simpler language and providing more context for readers who may not be familiar with certain terms such as “philosophical bug” or “killer AI.

The scene after the credits was quite amusing as well. Was it planned to be a post-credit scene when you were filming it?

Originally, the scene was included in the movie. However, I only found out it would be a post-credit scene during the premiere yesterday, thanks to a heads-up from James. As a result, when everyone in my row got up at the premiere, I stayed seated because I knew there was a post-credit scene coming up. This caused some confusion among those around me, who asked if I was certain about it. Even though I started to doubt myself, the post-credit scene did indeed occur.

Was there anything else of interest that didn’t make the cut?

Absolutely! Filming third-act scenes with Krypto was a blast for me, and I eagerly anticipated seeing how it all fit into the narrative. However, upon watching the movie, I can see why those scenes were omitted. As a filmmaker, I would have made the same decision. The changes were made to ensure the story’s coherence and effectiveness in captivating the audience, aiming for the most immersive viewing experience possible.

Are you familiar with what might happen to your character in the DC Universe? (By the way, it was recently mentioned in an interview that James Gunn may be planning a standalone series for Mr. Terrific.)

Regarding the film’s success, many of us, including myself, are left in suspense. While there may be rumors and discussions, nothing concrete or definitive can be predicted. As James often emphasizes, they won’t start production on a project until the script is fully ready. Therefore, any announcements made hold little significance until the writer finalizes a draft suitable for filming.

Decades from now, when you reflect on this experience, what day will you likely recall first? 

One reason I likely ended up playing Superman is that for a few months prior, I found myself deeply immersed in the present moment. Exactly two years ago, on July 7th, 2023, James, our producer Peter Safran, and EP Chantal Vo sat me down to ask if I wanted to play Mister Terrific. It was a date that holds great significance for me as it marks exactly two years since then. Consequently, I’ve been fully engaged in this incredible experience over the past two years, and I’ll remember many days because so many of them are special to me.

After wrapping up, it’s evident that I’m eager for what lies ahead. I’d relish the opportunity to star in more Superman films, as well as other projects, and delve deeper into the character of Mister Terrific across various versions within the new DC Universe. However, regardless of whether my next venture takes me beyond the DCU, I will be wholeheartedly committed to it.

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Superman is now playing in movie theaters.

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2025-07-11 22:26