Summary:
- DCU’s Superman has found its new Jonathan Kent in Pruitt Taylor Vince.
- Vince is famous for playing roles in the crime and thriller genre, such as Miami Vice, The Walking Dead, and Stranger Things.
- Much like most of his roles, Vince’s Jonathan is expected to die in Superman for character development.
James Gunn’s fresh take on Superman of the DC Universe is drawing significant attention (again) with its latest casting news. Pruitt Taylor Vince, known for his diverse roles in film and television, is set to portray Jonathan Kent, Superman’s adoptive father, in the upcoming film of the same name. This movie, a cornerstone of the DCU’s reboot under Warner Bros., will introduce audiences to new portrayals of iconic DC heroes and villains.
Per The Wrap, Vince, an Emmy-winning actor with a rich portfolio, will step into the DC Universe as Superman’s father, Jonathan Kent. His career highlights include notable appearances in films like Mississippi Burning, Jacob’s Ladder, and JFK, as well as a distinguished presence on the small screen with roles in The X-Files, Miami Vice, and The Walking Dead.
His portrayal of Clifford Banks in Murder One particularly stands out, having earned him a Primetime Emmy Award. This summer, Vince will star in the Apple TV+ series Lady in the Lake.
Besides his usual stints in the crime and thriller genre, Vince’s engagement with the superhero genre isn’t new. The actor previously appeared in Constantine as the troubled priest Father Hennessy and also appeared in the MCU‘s Agents of SHIELD as Grill.
In his latest role as Jonathan Kent, Vince is poised to bring depth to the character traditionally seen as the moral compass for Clark Kent. Jonathan Kent’s character is pivotal, often depicted as guiding young Clark with the values that define Superman.
However, akin to the fateful stories of many of Vince’s short-lived characters such as Otis from The Walking Dead or Caspar Abraham in Heroes Reborn—and the tradition in many Superman narratives—Jonathan Kent’s journey might culminate in a sacrificial yet inspiring demise. After all, Jonathan’s death in the DC comics is as canon as Uncle Ben from Marvel.
Joining Vince for the upcoming Superman movie is David Corenswet as Superman, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, and Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, among others.
The film also welcomes Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen and Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, with Wendell Pierce portraying Daily Planet Editor-in-Chief Perry White. Superman is set to release on July 11, 2025.
