James Gunn, one of the co-CEOs at DC Studios, recently shared insights on why Bradley Cooper was chosen to portray Jor-El in Superman. In a recent interview, Gunn delved into the historical significance of the role, how Cooper complements this legacy, and how Marlon Brando‘s initial performance served as a guiding factor for the casting choice.
James Gunn cast Bradley Cooper as Jor-El because he could ‘walk in the footsteps of Marlon Brando’
In a conversation with Entertainment Tonight, James Gunn explained his choice for Bradley Cooper as Jor-El in Superman. He stated, “I required an actor who could embody Jor-El, someone tall enough to match our mental image of the character. Someone capable of following in the footsteps of Marlon Brando.
In the film’s opening scene, we see Cooper stepping into the role of Jor-El, a character previously played by Marlon Brando in the 1978 Superman movie. Gunn explicitly chose an actor who could uphold that legacy, expressing his admiration for Cooper both as an actor and director.
Previously, Gunn and Cooper worked together on the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, with Cooper lending his voice to Rocket Raccoon. Their enduring friendship played a role in the casting decisions, as Gunn stated, “He’s a friend, we’ve kept in touch since the Guardians films.
Later on, he shared the story behind acquiring the cameo. “I reached out to Cooper and proposed, ‘Hey, could you do me a small favor? Travel there, go to England, we’ll capture you in a 3D setting, create a hologram of you, and you can portray Jor-El.’
In this new interpretation of Gunn’s Superman, David Corenswet plays the dual role of Clark Kent/Superman while Nicholas Hoult steps into the shoes of Lex Luthor. The impressive cast also includes Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, and Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl.
Gunn verified that Cooper’s appearance included a hologram representation, which is consistent with how Jor-El typically appears in Superman tales. This scene was shot in a 3D setting in England, particularly for the character’s short yet impactful role.
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2025-07-14 10:40