James Gunn, the head of DC Studios, is known for frequently casting friends in his projects. Now, an actress from Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy franchise has confirmed discussions with Gunn about a role in the upcoming DC Universe.
The DC Universe aims to create a successful shared universe of DC characters, unlike its predecessor, the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). While the DCEU had some box office successes, it suffered from inconsistent quality and a lack of overall cohesion. Warner Bros. hopes Gunn, known for his Guardians of the Galaxy films, can steer the DCU clear of these issues, possibly even bringing some familiar faces along.
According to Agents of Fandom, Pom Klementieff, who played Mantis in Guardians of the Galaxy, revealed at San Antonio's Superhero Comic Con that she's discussed a specific DCU role with Gunn. While she wouldn't reveal details, she confirmed Gunn has a particular character in mind for her. She expressed a desire to continue working with Gunn, stating, "I just want to keep working with James, so we’re going to keep trying to find ways to do that."
Klementieff also shared her positive experience working with Gunn on Guardians of the Galaxy, calling it a dream come true. She acknowledged the end of the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and the team's disbanding but remained open to reprising her role as Mantis if the right project arose.
Gunn himself later confirmed these conversations on Threads, clarifying that the role is not in his upcoming Superman movie. He validated Klementieff's statements, reiterating that they've discussed a specific DC character.
This news has drawn criticism from some quarters, who feel Gunn over-relies on the same actors. This criticism often targets Gunn's brother and wife, who frequently appear in his films. However, others argue this is a common practice among filmmakers and not inherently problematic, especially when familial relationships are involved. Ultimately, the success of Klementieff's potential DCU role will likely depend on the character and her performance.
The Guardians of the Galaxy films are available to stream on Disney+.
