Edi Gathegi, known for his role as Darwin in X-Men: First Class, reflects on his contentious experience in the film compared to his current portrayal of Mister Terrific in James Gunn's Superman. Gathegi had concerns over the fate of his character, highlighting the negative stereotypes associated with the early demise of Black characters in films. Despite assurances that his character would return, Darwin never appeared in subsequent X-Men movies, which Gathegi found surprising. In contrast, his role as Mister Terrific offers a fresh narrative that emphasizes intelligence and heroism, showing a significant change in how characters of color can be portrayed in superhero films today. Critics are lauding his performance in Superman, and there are even talks of a potential spinoff series.

How did Edi Gathegi’s experiences in X-Men influence his role in Superman?

Gathegi's negative experiences with the X-Men franchise, particularly concerning stereotypes and character development, have informed his perspective on his current role. He sees Mister Terrific in Superman as a much more empowering portrayal, emphasizing intelligence and the potential for positive contributions to society.

The X-Men movies have historically had a mixed reception regarding character treatment, especially in terms of representation. Darwin, a character with the ability to evolve and adapt, faced a fate in X-Men: First Class that clashed with his comic book origins. The franchise has evolved since then, and with the reboot into the DC Universe under James Gunn, a fresh narrative approach is aligning with contemporary views on diversity and representation in superhero films, marking a significant culture shift in Hollywood storytelling.