Pruitt Taylor Vince to be ‘Superman’s Jonathan Kent

Pruitt Taylor Vince Playing Jonathan Kent for James Gunn’s ‘Superman’

Vince will be Supes’ ill-fated adoptive human father, while Neva Howell is aboard to play his wife, Martha Kent, joining David Corenswet and the cast.

(Left) Pruitt Taylor Vince in 'The Walking Dead'. Photo: Bob Mahoney. © AMC 2011. (Right) Jonathan and Martha Kent. Photo: DC Comics.

Preview:

Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell are playing the Kents in ‘Superman’.
James Gunn is directing the new movie.
‘Superman’ will be out on July 11th, 2025.

The cameras have been cranking for a while on James Gunn’s new ‘Superman’ movie, the reboot he’s looking to have kick off –– on the big screen, at least –– his and DC Studios’ co-CEO Peter Safran’s vision for the DC universe going forward.

And though Gunn has previously said that he won’t necessarily be diving back into all the iconic origin narrative points of Clark Kent/Superman’s story, it does appear there is room for both of his parents to appear.

The Wrap reports that Pruitt Taylor Vince has been cast as Jonathan Kent, the farmer who, with wife Martha, discovers an infant Kal El in a crashed spaceship and adopts him as their own, raising Clark to be a good man who channels his parents’ morals when he discovers his powers.

In a separate story, the outlet has revealed that Neva Howell will play Martha. Jonathan in particular tends to be a tragic figure, the character dying when Clark is a young man. Whether that holds true here (or if he’s only seen in flashback) remains to be seen.

Superman

Not Yet RatedJul 11th, 2025

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Superman, a cub reporter in Metropolis, embarks on a journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent. Read the Plot

What’s the story of ‘Superman’?

(Center) James Gunn and the cast of 'Superman.' Photo: James Gunn's Instagram Account.

Little is truly known about the plotline at this point, but Gunn has been clear that he’s eschewing the usual exploding home planet Krypton story (though that and now clearly his time in Smallville will factor in) in favor of more of a workplace film with Clark showing up to work at the Planet, where Lois Lane will already be an established reporting star.

Safran said this about the new movie during the duo’s big announcement about DC films and series going forward:

“It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned.”

Who is appearing in ‘Superman’?

(L to R) Rachel Brosnahan, David Corenswet and director James Gunn on the set of 'Superman.' Photo: James Gunn's Instagram account.

David Corenswet is playing Clark Kent/Supes, while Rachel Brosnahan will be Lois.

Also in the cast? Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen), Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardener), Isabela Mercad (Hawkgirl), Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho), Terence Rosemore (Otis), Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific), Sara Sampaio (Eve Teschmacher) and María Gabriela de Faría (Angela Spica/The Engineer).

That’s the main ensemble; we can expect an appearance from Gunn’s brother Sean (a regular in his movies, who has played the likes of Kraglin and provided the on-set reference performance and voice for Rocket Raccoon in the ‘Guardians’ franchise) as the villainous Maxwell Lord.

And finally, Milly Alcock is likely to have a cameo as Kara/Supergirl, Superman’s cousin, ahead of her own movie debut.