James Gunn Confirms Guardians of the Galaxy Cameos in the New Superman Movie

Guardians Join Superman

James Gunn jolted the superhero news cycle by confirming three Guardians alumni to voice Superman’s Fortress robots in his 2025 reboot. The unexpected crossover merges Marvel nostalgia with DC myth-building, supercharging anticipation for the film’s July release.

Speaking with BuzzFeed, Gunn named Bradley Cooper, Pom Klementieff, and Michael Rooker as the robot voices. The self-confirmed cameo roster keeps speculation scrupulously honest.

Key Cameos

Pom Klementieff, known for playing Mantis in Guardians, will voice one of Superman’s mysterious Fortress of Solitude robots. This isn’t a fan theory, it’s directly from Gunn’s lips in the BuzzFeed chat.

Also confirmed: Bradley Cooper (Rocket’s voice) and Michael Rooker (Yondu) join her, completing this Guardians trio in DC’s realm. This revelation marks a unique Marvel-to-DC crossover team-up.

Scene Context

According to Gunn, the trio voices robotic assistants in Superman’s Fortress of Solitude. While exact scene details remain under wraps, the cameos are confirmed. Fans will recognize the distinctive tonality of Rocket, Mantis, and Yondu, even if the robots look alien.

This clever casting adds layers: it’s nostalgic for Marvel devotees yet seamless in a DC setting. Trust us, this sound gag won’t make you do a double-take, it’s that subtle.

“Keeping Them in Wings”

Gunn teased that Guardians stars Zoe Saldana and Dave Bautista may appear “in the wings” of the DC Universe. This suggests their involvement isn’t in the main Superman film—yet—but hints at future DC projects.

Could this scene be the tip of an interstudio iceberg? It signals James Gunn’s long-term vision to blend his ensembles across comic-book universes. Time will tell if that cameo becomes canon.

Beyond Cameos

While the cameos are a hot topic, Gunn’s Superman still boasts an all‑star main ensemble including David Corenswet as Clark, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. Their performances anchor the film in fresh territory.

Adding familiar voices in the periphery doesn’t overshadow the core cast; it enhances it. This blending of cameos with new leads creates intrigue without overshadowing the protagonists.

Supporting Heroes

James Gunn extends Superman’s roster with Hawkgirl and Mister Terrific, played by Isabela Merced and Edi Gathegi. Recent on-set photos show both in full costume, underscoring they are more than background cameos.

Hawkgirl’s aerial strikes and Mister Terrific’s T-Spheres should widen the film’s action palette. Their presence foreshadows a Justice Society seed that could blossom across Gunn’s new DC slate.

Lantern & Morph

Nathan Fillion joins as Guy Gardner, the brash Green Lantern, bringing his rapport with Gunn into the DCU. Barry alum Anthony Carrigan becomes Metamorpho, a hero who can transmute his body into any element.

Fillion says Guy’s cocky swagger sparks comedic friction with Superman during Metropolis crises. Carrigan calls Metamorpho his “dream role,” teasing striking alchemy-driven fights that stretch the film’s imagination.

Fortress Setting

Gunn chose Norway’s remote Svalbard archipelago to represent the Fortress of Solitude, embracing untouched Arctic vistas over sound-stage ice. Drone shots track actors across jagged ice while cranes grab sweeping wides.

Inside the icy Fortress, robotic assistants voiced by Cooper, Klementieff, and Rooker interact with Kal-El in a subtle cameo moment.

Gunn’s Ensemble

James Gunn often re-casts trusted collaborators, sliding them from Troma roots through Guardians fame into DC’s fresh slate. Cooper, Klementieff, and Rooker voicing Superman’s robots keeps that habit alive, ensuring shorthand camaraderie on set.

Producers praise Gunn’s loyalty, noting it trims rehearsal time and sparks on-screen chemistry. Such synergy can elevate brief cameos into bigger roles as Gunn’s DCU expands.

Production Snapshot

Principal photography began on February 29, 2024, Superman’s comic birthday, and wrapped in July after shoots in Svalbard and Atlanta. While the film is formatted for large-screen viewing, official details on camera gear and aspect ratio haven’t been publicly released.

Crew members say production ran smoothly despite winds thanks to a lean script and meticulous previs. Efficiencies kept costs near the reported $225 million, lean for a universe-launching blockbuster.

Epic Score

John Murphy and David Fleming collaborated on the Superman score, blending bold brass with modern synths, though full album details remain unreleased. The score, performed by a full orchestra, was overseen by John Murphy and David Fleming—venue and session details remain unconfirmed.

Early playbacks reportedly drew applause from Warner brass, stoking comparisons to John Williams’ classic. Murphy hasn’t shared the score’s full runtime, but it’s expected to allow each theme space to breathe.

Lex Luthor

Nicholas Hoult auditioned for Superman but was cast as Lex Luthor, a twist he called “juicier.” On-set images show him donning a sleek Warsuit, signaling a tech-heavy villain true to modern comics.

Hoult shadowed pivot-ready CEOs, borrowing their cadence and stance to build Luthor’s calculated aura. Preview audiences praised the menace, saying it sharpens Superman’s idealism instead of overshadowing it.

Man of Steel

David Corenswet says Gunn ordered broader shoulders and upright posture so Superman exudes calm strength. Trainer Ryan Flaherty blended Olympic lifts with Pilates, adding ten lean pounds while preserving the classic Reeve silhouette.

Corenswet reportedly focused on portraying Superman with calm authority and warmth, a balance that early footage appears to reflect, though test screening feedback remains unconfirmed. Early footage suggests Corenswet strikes a balance between humility and Kryptonian presence, though formal audience reactions haven’t been disclosed.

DCU Blueprint

The new DCU roadmap includes Peacemaker S2, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, Lanterns, Creature Commandos, Clayface, The Authority, and a Batman–Damian Wayne saga. Each project serves as a puzzle piece for the overarching mythology, with Superman at the core.

Think of it as one grand puzzle, each title slots into a greater narrative, not just standalone entries. Gunn insists viewers won’t need to watch everything to understand each story, but those who do gain a richer context.

Justice League Setup

Although there’s “no Justice League… not yet,” Gunn confirms the Justice Gang (Hawkgirl, Guy Gardner, Mister Terrific) lay the foundation for group dynamics that may evolve into a full Justice League in future phases.

David Corenswet expresses openness to a team-up down the line, but stresses he leaves that playbook to Gunn. Corenswet has expressed trust in James Gunn’s direction, staying focused on his own role without speculating about future storylines.

Want to meet the faces laying the groundwork for DC’s future team-ups? See who’s who in Meet the new Superman 2025 cast—here’s who’s playing who.

Beyond Superman

After Superman, Gunn is already writing the next film, though he’s tight-lipped on whether it’s a direct sequel or a different story. He teases a “favorite project that nobody knows about yet.”

Gunn emphasizes creative evolution, not endpoint. That mysterious next film might surprise fans, especially since he calls it the “favorite.” The DCU’s first chapter is just the start of his grand cinematic experiment.

Curious how the rest of Gunn’s DC vision is unfolding? See what he revealed about the delay in James Gunn explains delay in Batman 2 sequel.

Which unexpected cameo would blow your mind in Superman? Drop your wildest picks below.

Read More From This Brand:

• Superman Teaser Breaks Records with 250M Views in 24 Hours
• James Gunn on Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow’s DCU Status
• James Gunn’s Superman Soaring Toward a Massive $135 Million U.S. Launch, Is This the Dawn of a New Blockbuster Era?

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This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.