SUPERMAN's Rachel Brosnahan Isn’t Here for Superhero Movie Whining: “Do It or Don’t Do It, and Then Stand by It”
With Superman flying into theaters this July, Rachel Brosnahan, who plays Lois Lane in James Gunn’s reboot, is her refreshingly blunt take on the superhero movie discourse.
In a new conversation with Amanda Seyfried for Interview Magazine, Brosnahan called out a trend she sees among actors committing to these big comic book films, only to disown them when the reception isn’t glowing.
“I don’t know why people say yes [to a project] only to then turn around and complain about it. Look, I don’t want to shit on other actors, but there was a minute where it was cool to not like superhero movies and to look back on projects like this and pooh-pooh them. Do it or don’t do it, and then stand by it.”
It’s a direct call-out that stands in stark contrast to recent comments from actors who’ve distanced themselves from superhero flops. Dakota Johnson, for example, chalked up the failure of Madame Web to behind-the-scenes interference:
“There’s this thing that happens now where a lot of creative decisions are made by committee. Or made by people who don’t have a creative bone in their body... I was just sort of along for the ride at that point.”
Then there’s Chris Hemsworth, post-Thor: Love and Thunder, admitted he “became a parody of myself,” blaming a little too much improv for the film’s offbeat tone.
But Brosnahan doesn’t seem interested in riding that wave of disassociation. She’s leaning in. She’s owning it. And most importantly, she’s excited to return.
When asked about reprising her role in future installments of Gunn’s new DC Universe, she didn’t hesitate:
“Yeah, I’d come back. We had a great time. There’s also so many people in this cast who I didn’t get to work with.”
For someone stepping into a role previously held by icons like Margot Kidder and Amy Adams, Brosnahan seems fully aware of the legacy, and the opportunity.
Gunn’s Superman also stars David Corenswet in the cape and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, kicking off what is intended to be a long-term, interconnected DC Universe under the director’s leadership.
Superman opens in theaters July 11.