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Superman Star Speaks Out: What Really Happened With His X-Men Character’s Shocking Death?

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An actor known for playing a secondary character in DC Studios’ Superman series, who once appeared in a Marvel film, recently spoke about the contentious demise of his Marvel character, years after it occurred. As James Gunn’s DC Universe prepares for its cinematic debut, the franchise will feature several actors with ties to both Marvel and DC, some of whom portrayed characters that didn’t receive a fully satisfying conclusion.

Actor Edi Gathegi, known for playing Superman, discussed Darwin’s death during the filming of X-Men: First Class in 2011, following his role in the 20th Century Fox movie. Interestingly, Gathegi is among more than a dozen DC Universe actors who have previously worked with Marvel, but his stint in the Marvel universe ended abruptly in his sole appearance 14 years ago.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he agreed with fans who felt that Darwin was underutilized in “First Class.” He described it as a “missed opportunity,” expressing that the producers at Fox could have and should have developed Darwin’s character more extensively within the enduring X-Men franchise.

Superman Actor Breaks Silence on His Marvel Character’s Controversial Death

It seems to me that the portrayal wasn’t great, and there were chances they might have seized to develop the character more fully. They likely should have done so.

Gathegi openly acknowledged that he had been “eagerly anticipating a return” following his role in that film, as it was unexpected for Darwin’s character to perish according to the script.

As each film released without his return, the actor grew increasingly certain that Darwin’s prolonged absence was “an injustice and a squandered chance.

Since you’re aware that the character doesn’t actually perish, I was anticipating his return in the subsequent film. His demise in the initial installment isn’t significant if he adheres to his comic book persona, which includes resurrection. Each movie where he didn’t revive only reinforced the notion that the portrayal was incorrect and a squandered chance.

Regarding his upcoming debut as a character in DCU’s Superman, Gathegi expresses that this role serves as a way to correct previous missteps associated with the character Darwin, suggesting he intends to return for more projects following this film.

This job seems to correct some of the flaws in Darwin’s theories. However, I want to clarify that I have other projects besides this one.

In the film “X-Men: First Class“, Darwin, played by Gathegi, was a highly potent young mutant with an extraordinary ability to adapt to any environment or situation. This talent was demonstrated when he submerged his head in water, which resulted in gills growing on his neck, enabling him to breathe underwater. However, during a tragic turn of events, when Sebastian Shaw (portrayed by Kevin Bacon) unleashed an energy blast at him, Darwin’s body spontaneously caught fire and transformed into stone, leading to an unexpected and shocking demise.

In the future, Gathegi is set to join the cast of the 2025’s “Superman” movie, portraying Mr. Terrific. He will share the screen with David Corenswet as Clark Kent, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. The film will depict Superman during his initial heroic years, featuring a grand confrontation against Luthor and other villains, while simultaneously dealing with daily life at the Daily Planet. “Superman” is scheduled to hit cinemas on July 11, 2025.

How Former Marvel Star Hopes to Find New Life in DCU’s Superman

It appears that Gathegi will play a significant supporting role in the upcoming Superman film, indicating Gunn’s plan to involve him consistently in the DC Universe moving forward.

Following the premature end of his indestructible Marvel mutant role midway through his debut film, the DC Universe offers him an opportunity to explore a fresh character that he hasn’t played yet.

Previously demonstrating his technological skills, it’s anticipated that Mr. Terrific played by Gathegi will have a lot of involvement alongside famous characters such as Superman, Green Lantern (Guy Gardner), and Hawkgirl in the upcoming scenes.

Though the details about how his character will unfold in the upcoming DC Universe remain under wraps, it’s safe to say that fans can look forward to witnessing even greater feats from this hero in the years ahead.

Moving ahead, a key point of discussion is how this character, being portrayed as a hero, will align with the broader schemes that James Gunn has planned for the Justice League, a team-up that we may not witness in its entirety for quite some time.

With powerhouses such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman taking the lead, Mr. Terrific will have ample chances to showcase his abilities against some of DC’s most formidable adversaries.

With additional projects stemming from Chapter 1: Gods and Monsters and further into the future unveiled to the public, fans can expect a clearer picture of where Gathegi might appear next after his initial Superman appearance in the new DC Universe has been established.

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2025-06-23 23:04

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