Edi Gathegi Reflects on Transition from X-Men to Superman

Rewind 16 years, and actor Edi Gathegi was being offered the role of a character in X-Men: First Class who, albeit powerful, faced a contentious early demise. Fast forward to the present, and Gathegi is now reflecting on his widely praised performance as the high-tech superhero Mister Terrific in James Gunn’s Superman. For Gathegi, this opportunity served as not only redemption but also a statement: “With Mister Terrific in Superman, the message that I’m receiving is you can be one of the most intelligent characters in the universe, and you can help save the world. It’s a different level of conversation,” he shares.

– Kenyan-American actor Edi Gathegi, known for his role in “X-Men: First Class”, was initially hesitant about accepting the role of Darwin, the only Black mutant who dies mid-film. Producers reassured him that his character’s death was integral to the story and promised his return in later installments. However, this never happened.
– Gathegi eventually auditioned for the role of Mister Terrific/Michael Holt in Gunn’s Superman movie, despite his reservations due to a busy schedule. Director James Gunn, who had admired Gathegi’s acting, selected him for the part out of 200 candidates.
– The actor is now praised for his “scene-stealing performance” as Mister Terrific, the intelligent, world-saving superhero. Gathegi reflects on the stark difference between his experiences in “X-Men: First Class” and “Superman”, stating that he feels more empowered and respected in the latter.
– Future plans for Gathegi in the DC Universe are uncertain, though there are rumors of potential projects involving his character. His time in “Superman” holds significant importance to him, and he looks forward to future experiences both inside and outside the DCU.

Edi Gathegi has shared one of the most uplifting stories to come from James Gunn’s Superman film, not on the screen but in real life.

Gathegi, who plays the role of Mister Terrific/Michael Holt in the superhero movie, had some concerns before accepting the part. He first came into the superhero movie scene 16 years ago with his role as Darwin in Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class. He was initially worried about his character in the X-Men movie meeting an unfortunate fate halfway through the film, an issue he voiced to his agents. Despite these concerns, he was reassured of the importance of his character’s death and potential future appearances in other X-Men films.

Fast-forward to 2023, Gathegi was asked to audition for the Superman movie. Originally, the actor resisted given his recent casting opposite Robert De Niro in a TV show and an upcoming European vacation. Once he learned that James Gunn, the Superman director, was particularly interested in seeing him audition, Gathegi sent in his self-taped audition the day before leaving for Europe. Luckily, while he was headed to the airport, Gunn praised him on his audition, leading to his eventual casting as Mister Terrific.

Now, Gathegi is being widely appreciated for his performance. Gathegi says his experience in the Superman film was vastly different from his experience in the Fox Marvel universe. In line with his character, Gathegi also talked about behind-the-scenes anecdotes from the Superman set and a funny scene with his character and Superman, played by David Corenswet. This moment was later added as the post-credit scene as a pleasant surprise.

This journey from the X-Men film to Superman, despite initial hesitations, meetings, and auditions highlight Gathegi’s determination and talent in the superhero realm. His success highlights how seizing opportunities and remaining dedicated to one’s craft can lead to significant achievements.