With production more than halfway done, DC Studios co-chief and Superman director James Gunn took to social media to finally confirm the actors playing Clark Kent’s parents.
“Happy Anniversary to my favorite Kansas farmers Ma & Pa Kent who will be played by Pruitt Taylor Vince (an actor I’ve wanted to work with since I saw him in James Mangold’s Heavy in 1995) & the delightful Neva Howell,” Gunn wrote on threads.
Gunn added: “Ma & Pa Kent 1st appeared in Superman #1 May 18, 1939. Clark’s parents had a few names until they were formally named John and Mary Kent in SUPERMAN #53 in 1948, a retelling of Superman’s origin story. Jonathan & Martha as their formal names were established in later issues.”
Readers may recognize Pruitt Taylor Vince from his role as Otis in AMC’s The Walking Dead or as Grill in the fifth season of Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD on ABC. He joins a growing list of actors who have made the leap from Marvel to DC projects. Jonathan Kent was last played by Kevin Costner in Zack Snyder’s DC Extended Universe.
Martha Kent has been a significant character in the Superman saga, previously portrayed by Phyllis Thaxter in the 1978 Superman movie, Eva Marie Saint in 2006’s Superman Returns, and Diane Lane in the DC Extended Universe. Each actress brought a unique interpretation to the role, contributing to Superman’s big screen legacy.
Since Superman kicked off its production in February, James Gunn has been actively sharing updates and behind-the-scenes glimpses with fans via social media. On February 29, Gunn celebrated the start of filming with a post that not only confirmed the beginning of production but also unveiled the final title of the film, explicitly stating that “Legacy” would no longer serve as its subtitle.
What to expect from James Gunn’s Superman movie
Superman is a much-anticipated project, given that Clark Kent has been an integral part of the DC Universe for over 80 years, with various iterations and adaptations across different media. The movie promises to explore the character’s origins and his struggles to balance his dual identities as Clark and Superman while fighting off villains and saving the world.
Superman is being written and directed by James Gunn. The movie boasts a star-studded cast that includes David Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as the Guy Gardner version of Green Lantern, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and many others.
Superman is currently scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.
