James Gunn, the head of DC Studios, is known for frequently casting his friends in his projects. Now, an actress from Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy has confirmed discussions with Gunn about a role in the upcoming DC Universe.
The DC Universe aims to create a new, cohesive shared universe, learning from the inconsistencies and studio interference that plagued the previous DC Extended Universe. While the DCEU had successes, it also faced financial setbacks and a lack of overall coherence. Warner Bros. hopes Gunn, renowned for his Guardians of the Galaxy films, can steer the DCU to greater success, potentially bringing some familiar faces along.
According to Agents of Fandom, Pom Klementieff, who played Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy, reiterated that she's discussed a specific DCU role with Gunn. At San Antonio's Superhero Comic Con, when asked about a potential DCU character, Klementieff playfully avoided a direct answer, confirming only that Gunn has a particular role in mind for her.
“I just want to keep working with James, so we’re going to keep trying to find ways to do that. […] Yes, we’ve been talking about one specific character, but I can’t talk about that right now.”
Klementieff also fondly recalled her experience working with Gunn on Guardians of the Galaxy, expressing her continued openness to reprising her role as Mantis in future projects.
“I'm always open to it, I love the character. I'm sure the fans would love to see it, but I don't know. It depends on the project.”
Gunn himself later confirmed these conversations on Threads, clarifying that the role is not in his upcoming Superman film, dispelling earlier rumors. While neither Gunn nor Klementieff have revealed the character in question, the news has sparked discussion.
Some criticize Gunn's tendency to cast familiar faces, including his brother and wife, in his films. However, others argue this is a common practice among filmmakers, and familial connections don't necessarily equate to unfair casting practices. Ultimately, Klementieff's suitability for the undisclosed role will be judged based on her performance.
The Guardians of the Galaxy films are streaming on Disney+.
