'Superman': Cameos, Easter Eggs, and What’s Next!

Is it a bird?! Is it a plane?! No! It’s James Gunn’s Superman! The first official release in Gunn’s first phase of the new DC Universe, Superman flew into theaters on July 11 and has since propelled itself upward to the top of the box office, opening with an otherworldly $125 million performance. With David Corenswet as the titular legendary character and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, there are countless other excellent performances and cameos in this blockbuster. Here’s a rundown of all the new and fun characters introduced, or briefly seen in the film, as well as some Easter Eggs to look out for during your viewing!

You Get A Cameo! You Get A Cameo! You Get A Cameo!

While extensive cameos are often irritable and leaned upon in a time of crisis, Gunn’s inclusion of an array of characters within the DC Universe played exceptionally well in Superman, setting the stage for his new universe. Let’s take a look at what side characters and quick appearances graced the screen in the 2025 remake:

The Justice Gang

Seen throughout the film, the Justice Gang appears to be a premonition to what will become Gunn’s version of The Justice League. The characters appearing within this context are Isabella Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as the Green Lantern Corp member Guy Gardner, and Edi Gathegi as Mr. Terrific.

Superman’s Parents, Dog… and Cousin?

First seen through the famous visual message sent to Earth with Clark Kent, Superman’s parents, Jor-El and Lara, make a vital cameo. Played by Bradley Cooper and Angela Sarafyan, the message plays a key role in the plot. Although Krypto the Dog plays a main role, this marks the character's first appearance in a film! Similarly, Milly Alcock makes a quick cameo as Superman’s cousin Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl. Alcock is set to star in her own stand-alone film for her character, which is currently slated for a 2026 release.

Miscellaneous DC Characters

As Gunn prepares the initial phase of his DCU, he has masterfully planted tons of fresh faces in this film, setting up multiple comic-born characters. The list is vast, from villains like Ultraman and The Engineer to Metamorpho and his son Joey. Gunn’s own brother, Sean Gunn, makes an appearance as well as Maxwell Lord, the financier of the Justice Gang and large presence in the DC comics. John Cena also reprises his role as Peacemaker in a quick cameo, setting up the new season of his titular HBO show.

A Non-Stop Easter Egg Hunt

Along with the slew of character cameos made in this movie, it is beyond apparent that Gunn did his research on DC and is clearly a fan himself. This film has so many easter eggs, so many small details, it will take several views and a bit of research to fully digest them. Here are a few notable eggs found in the film:

DC Universe Pop Culture References

Gunn’s intricate inclusion of easter eggs is put on full display here, as he includes countless small but deep-rooted references to DC’s world and pop culture canon. Throughout the film, we see fictional brands from the comics on display, like the popular burger joint Big Belly Burger, the refreshing Zesti Cola, The Mighty Crabjoys -- a band already seen in "Creature Commandos" and "Peacemaker" -- and the local ball club, the Metropolis Meteors. Similarly, the infamous Martian Monster’s favorite cookie brand, Choco’s, makes an appearance when Ultraman terrorizes a group of the company's execs. Even Jitter’s, a main location in CW’s "The Flash" series, is seen in the background at one point.

DC Locations

To add to the DC lore that spews out of this film, there are plenty of places from the universe seen and referenced in the movie. Most notably, the correctional facility known as Belle Reve is mentioned upon Lex Luthor’s arrest at the end of the film, a location seen in Gunn’s predecessor The Suicide Squad. Another key location mentioned is none other than Gotham City. Carefully planted, viewers can spot a freeway sign labeled Gotham City as citizens of Metropolis flee the climatic fight between Superman and Ultraman. We also see the Hall of Justice, the contemporary headquarters of the Justice Gang. Inside, viewers can spot a large mural of prior metahumans that were assembled, including Silent Knight, Black Pirate, Wildcat, and others.

Homage to the Original

This film is an incredibly fresh take on Superman; however, with its new flavor, it does an equally excellent job of paying homage to the 1978 original. This is seen right away, as the first image of Superman is that of the cover of the very first Superman comic book from 1939. Similarly, the glowing logo that introduces the film is reminiscent of the logo used in the original film as well. Not to mention, the original Superman Christopher Reeve’s son, Will Reeve, makes a quick cameo as a news reporter in Metropolis.

Gunn’s (Super)Vision

Not only did Gunn revive a character that has long been critically panned since the original film, his efforts to build a fresh canon for DC is clear and intricate. With the deep cut easter eggs, cameos, and faith in the source material, this film is raising hopes in DC fans who have been let down by films from the past decade-and-a-half. Hopefully, Gunn’s success with this film, "Peacemaker", and The Suicide Squad will continue to roll into the meat of his first phase, bringing DC fans back to theaters for more of their favorite heroes and villians.