SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Breaks Silence On Ma And Pa Kent Casting; Is He Teasing A Possible Name Change?

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Breaks Silence On Ma And Pa Kent Casting; Is He Teasing A Possible Name Change?

Superman director James Gunn has broken his silence on casting Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell in the upcoming reboot, but is he hinting at a change that'll bring them back to their Golden Age roots?

By JoshWilding - May 19, 2024 04:05 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman: Legacy

While we'd expected James Gunn to cast a couple of big names as Superman's Ma and Pa Kent, the filmmaker instead chose to find two actors he felt embody the characters, Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell.

There's still no word on who, if anyone, will play Jor-El (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 star Kurt Russell remains the rumoured fan favourite) but we're expecting Jonathan and Martha to be a huge part of Clark Kent's story. Here's hoping neither of them meets a tragic end, anyway! 

"Happy Anniversary to my favorite Kansas farmers Ma [and] Pa Kent who will be played by Pruitt Taylor Vince (an actor I've wanted to work with since I saw him in James Mangold's Heavy in 1995) [and] the delightful Neva Howell," Gunn said on Threads.

"Ma [and] Pa Kent [first] appeared in Superman #1 May 18, 1939," he added. "Clark's parents had a few names until they were formally named John and Mary Kent in Superman #53 in 1948, a retelling of Superman’s origin story. Jonathan [and] Martha as their formal names were established in later issues."

Is the filmmaker hinting at a Golden Age-inspired name change for Clark's parents in the upcoming reboot - naming them John and Mary instead of Jonathan and Martha - or just sharing an interesting piece of trivia? We'll have to wait and see. 

Sets have been constructed in Atlanta for Superman, so we're hoping set photos showing more of the movie's characters are revealed soon. Gunn has said he's skipping this year's San Diego Comic-Con, meaning it's unclear when we'll get our next official look at the movie. 

Check out Gunn's Threads post below. 

Screenshot-2024-05-19-at-09-31-54-copy

Superman tells the story of Superman's journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.

David Corenswet is playing the Man of Steel, while Rachel Brosnahan has been tapped to star as Lois Lane.

The movie's supporting cast includes Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent, Neva Howell as Ma Kent, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor.

Milly Alcock is also expected to make a cameo appearance as Supergirl before taking flight in her own movie, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.

Superman is currently set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 5/19/2024, 5:05 AM
He's saying that John and Mary are shortened versions of Jonathan and Martha.

So if they are called John and Mary, then it's not really a name change. And it might be one way to avoid people thinking about this every time they hear Martha.
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SuperJefe
SuperJefe - 5/19/2024, 5:35 AM
@ObserverIO -

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RolandD
RolandD - 5/19/2024, 7:12 AM
@ObserverIO - Mary and Martha are two entirely different names. technically, John and Jonathan are different names also or at least variations on the same name.
Origame
Origame - 5/19/2024, 7:51 AM
@RolandD - while I agree with Mary and Martha, John is short for Jonathan.
RolandD
RolandD - 5/19/2024, 8:36 AM
@Origame - No, Jon is short for Jonathan., not John
Origame
Origame - 5/19/2024, 9:03 AM
@RolandD - all John is is another way of spelling Jon. Its no different that Shawn, Shaun, and Sean.
RolandD
RolandD - 5/19/2024, 2:35 PM
@Origame - The idea that John is derived from Jonathan is a common misconception, but run with it if you want. Also, people named any of the three versions of Sean would not use the spellings interchangeably.
Origame
Origame - 5/19/2024, 2:49 PM
@RolandD - even making that argument, that means today it's used as a nickname for Jonathan. Which is all that matters.

Also, I'm not saying they can use Jon when they already use John.
sully
sully - 5/19/2024, 8:16 PM
@RolandD - A lot of nicknames of full names have extra letters in them. This argument you're making is straight up goober behavior. "Jack" is a nickname for John for example. "Bill/Billy" for William, etc. "John/Johnny" as a nickname for Jonathan/Jonathon is 100% acceptable. Hell, you can call someone "Chip" if their make is Michael. I don't really think you know what a nickname is. Maybe do more digging before making silly arguments on the internet.
RolandD
RolandD - 5/20/2024, 12:54 AM
@sully - Oh I get it I have a few nicknames for you that have nothing to do with your username. We could go with the diminutive for Richard for one.
clintthahamster
clintthahamster - 5/20/2024, 8:06 AM
@RolandD - Who could forget the Gospel of St Jonathan?
sully
sully - 5/23/2024, 12:42 AM
@RolandD - Lmao. I'd rather be a dick and correct, than completely wrong it's embarrassing. Can't wait for our next interaction where I put you in your place again and all you can come up with is another low effort retort using ad hominem as a crutch, because nothing screams insecure and ignorant more than that, my guy. Come prepared next time when you insert yourself into a conversation without having any knowledge on the subject. Or not. I guess calling people names like a knuckle-dragging 12 year old is your style? In the meantime, I'll keep being a nickname for Richard just for you, precious.
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 5/19/2024, 6:06 AM
After what Snyder, I wouldn’t even blame him changing their names. That shit was just embarrassing
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 5/19/2024, 6:12 AM
I'm sure Gunn has got his ducks in a row and has thought of everything. Who to cast, what story to tell, and, most importantly, what to avoid so there are no bad comparisons to previous films/shows.

Oh, and having to wait until fall for Superman & Lois should be a crime.
PartyKiller
PartyKiller - 5/19/2024, 6:30 AM
Thanks to Zack Snyder, the name Martha means shit.
SuperiorHeckler
SuperiorHeckler - 5/19/2024, 7:36 AM
@PartyKiller - You kidding??? 🤨 Just saying her name saved Superman's life!
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 5/19/2024, 6:35 AM
It seems to me he’s mainly just stating some trivia but we’ll see.

Anyway , looking forward to seeing Pruitt Taylor Vince & Neva Howells take on Ma & Pa Kent…

While the former isn’t really how I picture Johnathan Kent , both do seem to fit the “salt of the earth” type characters the Kents are and are good character actors aswell.

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bkmeijer1
bkmeijer1 - 5/19/2024, 7:57 AM
@TheVisionary25 - I'm uessing it's just a bit of trivia too. Not the first time Gunn shares a bit on social media
HermanM
HermanM - 5/19/2024, 7:56 AM
Best parents in comics, I hope he keeps them both Live this time! John Byrne, Jeph Loeb, Bruce Timm, and Siegel & Shuster got their personalities right. Hopefully Gunn will too.
Batmangina
Batmangina - 5/19/2024, 8:00 AM
Name EVERYONE Martha.


Problem solved.
WarMonkey
WarMonkey - 5/19/2024, 8:36 AM
@Batmangina - I like this. When everybody is Martha, no one will be.
Batmangina
Batmangina - 5/19/2024, 8:43 AM
@WarMonkey - This guy [frick]ing gets it - it's like Ramones but better.

Martha Kent
Martha Lane
Martha Olsen
Martha White
Martha Luthor

TAKE MY MONEY
st1s
st1s - 5/19/2024, 9:35 AM
@Batmangina - Don't forget Martha-El
Batmangina
Batmangina - 5/19/2024, 8:54 PM
@st1s - You son of a bitch. I'm IN!!!
xfan320
xfan320 - 5/19/2024, 8:26 AM
I think he's just implying that they'll be referred to as "Mom and Dad", or "Ma" and "Pa" throughout the film instead of using their first names
DanFlashesShirt
DanFlashesShirt - 5/19/2024, 9:09 AM
🗣️cast Henry Cavill as Jor-El
Timerider
Timerider - 5/19/2024, 9:47 AM
@DanFlashesShirt - No, but I’ll take Kurt Russell as Jor-El.
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 5/19/2024, 10:56 AM
@Timerider -

I prefer a younger Jor el. There’s no reason for him to be old.
I love Kurt Russell but it’s more fun for Superman to see his dad close to his own age by the time he sees the video messages.
Like how it was cool for Hemsworth to be Pines dad in Star Trek (and now there are plans for them to meet in 4).

I think it hits harder.
Timerider
Timerider - 5/19/2024, 12:12 PM
@HulkisHoly - What about Bradley Cooper as Jor-El?
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 5/19/2024, 1:37 PM
@Timerider -

Not broad chinned enough
Ghoul
Ghoul - 5/19/2024, 11:35 PM
@DanFlashesShirt - yes! Fantastic idea! Great nod to the past, younger realistic age, and he looks like him!
DocSpock
DocSpock - 5/19/2024, 9:42 AM

They should rename them Fred & Ethyl.

Problem solved.

grif
grif - 5/19/2024, 10:59 AM


they will be black

smoke317
smoke317 - 5/20/2024, 11:56 AM
@grif - good. That might be just what’s needed for a Superman movie to sell again?
sheisthekey
sheisthekey - 5/19/2024, 11:40 AM
No, pedo is short for pedophile
MuadDib
MuadDib - 5/19/2024, 11:44 AM
Good thing he’s worrying about the important stuff

John vs Jonathan, Mary vs Martha

I mean, this could change the entire movie



newhire13
newhire13 - 5/19/2024, 1:28 PM
Jeez he’s just giving a brief history of the characters, not hinting at a name change lol. Throwing out dumb stuff like that is what feeds the trolls and the gullible.
mck13
mck13 - 5/19/2024, 4:35 PM
Gunn Superman SUCKS BALLZ!! His STANDALONE hasta TON of other superheroes SMFH!!! The Suit SUCKS & HES JUST JUMPING into A movie with no backstory SMFH!!! It will fail you & this site along with Gunns new fanv=base will blame Zack!v

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