Actor Edi Gathegi is having a bit of a moment after his scene-stealing role as DC Comics character Mister Terrific in James Gunn‘s “Superman” reboot (estimated $217 million global box office debut) and early talk of a potential TV spinoff from The Wall Street Journal. However, this isn’t his first rodeo in the world of comic book films and is explaining his experience playing the mutant Darwin in Matthew Vaughn‘s “X-Men: First Class,” which led to a brutal death scene as his powerful mutant character was killed off rather early in the film.
Gathegi revealed to The Hollywood Reporter recently that 20th Century Fox and franchise producers once assured him that Darwin would be resurrected (the mutant’s power sets is being unkillable and the ability to regenerate), but was shocked that the studio never followed through with that promise and he gave up on the idea after not getting called up for Bryan Singer‘s “X-Men: Apocalypse.”
READ MORE: 12 Films To See In July: ‘Superman,’ ‘Eddington,’ ‘Fantastic Four & More
“I called my agents to say, ‘Hey, listen, I have a problem with the fact that this character is the only Black character in the film aside from Zoë Kravitz’s character. I am also the only mutant who meets an untimely demise halfway through the film,'” Gathegi told THR while promoting “Superman.” “It was 2009 at the time, and I was like, ‘Killing the Black guy first is so played out. I can’t do this.'”
At the time, it was quite shocking that one of the most powerful new mutants introduced in the “X-Men” prequel set in the 1960s would be so quickly killed, making the creative choice even more infamous after bumping off one of the two black characters in the film. A mistake that never got fixed despite promises made to the actor.
“They assured us that it was essential for the storytelling in order to motivate the mutants to avenge my [character’s] death. They also fully intended to bring my character back as they do in the comics. [Darwin] can’t die; he regenerates,” Gathegi recalled what he was told about plans to resurrect Darwin. “So we held onto the hope that they would honor their word. When I didn’t come back for ‘X-Men: Apocalypse,’ I just knew it was done.”
After that experience on “X-Men: First Class,” you might be able to understand and empathize with Gathegi being apprehensive about getting involved with other superhero projects like “Superman,” however, Gunn seems to have given him quite the meaty DC role to sink his teeth into that could easily mean MUCH more Mister Terrific for years to come.
Hopefully, Marvel Studios and directorial candidate Jake Schreier (“Thunderbolts”) make better choices on their upcoming “X-Men” reboot, given the diverse lineup of mutants at their disposal. Many of them were previously relegated to minor supporting roles or glorified cameos.
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
- Christopher Marc
