Update: James Gunn took to social media to call out Deadline’s report about a trio of actresses pursuing the role of Maxima in Man of Tomorrow.
“Deadline’s reporting is shoddy & incorrect,” he wrote on Threads. “I’ve always thought Deadline was pretty thorough in their journalism but that’s not the case here so I’m frankly disappointed. If someone would have run these names by us we would have said it’s bullshit. I’ve been friends with Adria a long time since I cast her in the Belko Experiment. I’m a fan of both Marisa and Ella but I’ve never met either of them. Crazy.“
— Original article follows —
DC‘s Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, is bringing another comic book character into the mix: Maxima, the warrior queen from the planet Almerac – and Deadline reports that Marisa Abela (Back to Black), Ella Purnell (Fallout), and Adria Arjona (Hit Man) are all pursuing the role. The actresses were all brought in to film screen tests for the character, beginning last week.
Deadline reminds us that Maxima was first introduced in the pages of Action Comics #645 in 1990, when she arrived on Earth in search of a suitable mate and quickly set her sights on Superman. Created by writer Roger Stern and artist George Pérez, “the character is depicted at various times in DC’s comics as an antagonist, ally, and would-be love interest to Superman.” The character was featured the series Smallville and Supergirl, where she was played by Charlotte Sullivan and Eve Torres Gracie, respectively. The character was also in Superman: The Animated Series and other animated projects, but has never been depicted in a live-action DC film.
Until now.
I’m currently watching my way through Smallville for the first time but I haven’t reached the appearance of Maxima yet, so I’m not familiar with this character.
Man of Tomorrow finds James Gunn returning as the sequel’s director and writer, with a story that sees Superman and Lex Luthor matching wits and might with the villain Brainiac, played by German actor Lars Eidinger.
Production for Man of Tomorrow should begin this summer in Atlanta, with several cast members from the original film returning, including David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, and Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher.
Others expected to return are Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl and Maria Gabriella de Faria as The Engineer.
Aaron Pierre, who plays John Stewart in the upcoming HBO series Lanterns, will be reprising that role in Man of Tomorrow.
Who do you think James Gunn should chose for the role of Maxima? Should the character be played by Marisa Abela, Ella Purnell, or Adria Arjona? Make your choice and let us know by leaving a comment.