Fans Slam James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Cast for Lack of Diversity and Low Budget???

It appears that every announcement about James Gunn’s upcoming ‘Superman’ reboot sparks controversy. Some time ago, when Milly Alcock was cast as Supergirl, the director faced criticism for assembling an all-white main cast (despite Supergirl not being a part of main cast…)

Now, the latest uproar revolves around the perceived “D-List” nature of the cast. It all began with the announcement of Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent and Neva Howell as Martha Kent, Superman’s adoptive human parents, in the upcoming reboot.

Although both actors have established themselves with medium-sized roles, neither has previously headlined blockbuster films. Vince is set to star as a series regular in the upcoming Apple TV+ series ‘Lady in the Lake,’ alongside Natalie Portman, scheduled for release this summer. His extensive television credits include appearances in popular series like Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things,’ Marvel’s ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.,’ and NBC’s ‘Heroes Reborn.’

Neva Howell boasts a career spanning over 30 years, portraying various characters such as Miss Roberts in ‘Ghosts of the Ozarks’ and the salt-of-the-earth Alma in ‘Mercy Street.’ She has also appeared in various television series and films, including ‘The Resident,’ ‘Run the Race,’ and ‘Novitiate.’

Fans even went so far as to label the casting of the upcoming ‘Superman’ as “discount casting.”

And, naturally, the discussions about race:

Regarding the cast, 90% of the names have been revealed. Currently, the main lineup includes David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Michael Holt as Lex Luthor, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl. Edi Gathegi will portray Mister Terrific, with Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, and Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason/Metamorpho. María Gabriela de Faría will be Angela Spica/Engineer, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, and Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord. Wendell Pierce has recently been cast as editor-in-chief of The Daily Planet – Perry White.

The cast showcases diversity with a mix of people of color (POC) and established actors. Can we please refrain from racial arguments? Let’s go back to the days when roles were given based on talent, without the need to fulfill certain criteria.

The arguments about Gunn’s upcoming film having a “CW Cast” are quite absurd. It doesn’t seem logical to include well-known stars in roles that might not be significant for a substantial portion of the movie. Such casting decisions only contribute to bloating the already high movie budgets, increasing the risk of commercial failure. Meeting unrealistic box-office expectations to turn a profit or break even becomes even more challenging.

What’s your take? Should Gunn opt for a more diverse cast or invest in a pricier lineup? Share your thoughts in the comments below!