The silly, satisfying and sentimental cameos in ‘Superman’

“Superman” has finally soared into theaters, and with it comes a wealth of cameos and fun references to its DC Comics origin.

“Superman” has finally soared into theaters, and with it comes a wealth of cameos and fun references to its DC Comics origin. It’s what one would expect from director James Gunn, an avowed comic book uber-fan since the age of three. In addition to Easter egg references (look for a road sign leading to Gotham City, among others), the new film’s surprise cameos range from ridiculous to tear-jerking. Many of these actors, it turns out, have appeared in several if not all of Gunn’s previous films. Filling the substantial shoes of one Marlon Brando, Cooper appears at the very top of “Superman” in the icy Fortress of Solitude, in a pre-recorded message as Supe’s (David Corenswet) Kryptonian father. Brando famously played the same character in Richard Donner’s 1978 “Superman” with Christopher Reeve, but he refused to appear in the role in the sequel two years later. Cooper might be more open to playing the role again – after all, he’s one of Gunn’s stable of actors, having voiced Rocket Raccoon in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies. Portraying Jor-El’s wife – and Superman’s mother – Lara is the ethereal Angela Sarafyan, who previously shined as Clementine in TV’s “Westworld” series. It’s a true full-circle moment to see Will Reeve – son to the aforementioned Christopher – in the new film. The younger Reeve was born after the four “Superman” films in which his father appeared were completed. He was 12 years old when his father died. Now a correspondent for ABC News, it’s only natural that Reeve portray an on-the-ground reporter in the new movie. It’s also emotional and fitting to see Christopher Reeve’s son – who, along with his siblings, has kept his legacy alive – appear in a Superman movie. Skewing on the sillier side, John Cena makes a surprise appearance during one of the film’s more playful sequences (there are a bunch). As his morally questionable, supremely goofy DC character Peacemaker, Cena shows up as a talking head on a news show while Clark Kent and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) have a heart-to-heart, just as a wild inter-dimensional battle simultaneously plays out in the background (it’ll make sense when you watch it). The “Peacemaker” series featuring Cena was an early and unexpected hit for Gunn in his tenure with DC in 2022, with a second season set for next month. (“Peacemaker” is a production from HBO Max, which like CNN is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery.)