Bradley Cooper’s Secret Role in James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Revealed

Bradley Cooper is joining James Gunn’s highly anticipated Superman for a special cameo — and Gunn says it’s no coincidence. The director revealed to Entertainment Tonight that Cooper will portray Jor-El, Superman’s father, a role that was once famously brought to life by Marlon Brando in the 1978 classic.

“When casting Jor-El, I needed someone with real gravitas,” Gunn explained. “It had to be an actor who could stand shoulder to shoulder with Marlon Brando’s legacy.” Gunn and Cooper are longtime collaborators, having worked together on the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, where Cooper voiced the fan-favorite Rocket Raccoon.

Their established friendship made Cooper’s casting even more natural. “He’s a close friend, and someone I deeply admire as both an actor and filmmaker,” said Gunn. “So I called him up and asked if he’d do me a favor — come out to England, step in front of a 3D camera, and bring Jor-El to life for a new generation.”

The new Superman movie stars David Corenswet in the title role, with Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The film, which launches a fresh era for DC’s cinematic universe, is one of the most talked-about superhero events of the year.