From X-MEN: FIRST CLASS To SUPERMAN: Edi Gathegi’s Superhero Redemption Arc

For many fans of X-Men: First Class, the abrupt death of Darwin, a mutant with the power of literal survival, was more than just a plot twist. It felt like a waste of potential, a misstep in a genre already marred by patterns of underrepresentation. And for actor Edi Gathegi, who brought Darwin to life, it wasn’t just disappointing, it was personal.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Gathegi opened up about the experience of playing Darwin and how it shaped his expectations, frustrations, and ultimate growth as an actor in the superhero world. And now, more than a decade later, he’s getting a second chance, this time as Mister Terrific in James Gunn’s Superman film.

When Gathegi first signed on for X-Men: First Class, he expected it to be just the beginning. “I thought that there was potential for a bigger future,” he said. “It was actually a surprise to never get the call to suit up again.”

But the shock came earlier than expected. Darwin, despite being canonically impossible to kill, was eliminated halfway through the film, becoming yet another example of a Black character meeting an untimely end in mainstream cinema. Gathegi recalls raising concerns immediately after reading the script.

“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,’” he said. It was 2009, and he was keenly aware of the trope being repeated.

The studio reportedly reassured him that Darwin’s death served a critical narrative function to galvanize the team. and even promised that his character might return in future installments, as he does in the comics. But that promise was never fulfilled.

Despite the letdown, Gathegi doesn’t dwell on bitterness. He reflects positively on the overall experience filming First Class in London, describing it as “a very, very exciting and positive experience,” even if the way his character was handled was “a fumble.”

And when asked whether co-star Nicholas Hoult (who played Beast) ever acknowledged the situation years later during the filming of Superman, Gathegi made it clear he had already moved on. “When I didn’t come back for X-Men: Apocalypse, I just knew it was done… I made peace with this years ago.”

Now, in a bit of poetic justice, Gathegi has returned to the superhero genre with a role that couldn’t be more different. In Superman, he plays Mister Terrific, one of the most brilliant minds in the DC Universe. And unlike Darwin, this character has the chance to thrive and be a force for good.

“With X-Men: First Class, the message that I received as an actor and as a man of color in this world is you can be the most powerful mutant in the world and they’ll never let you reach your full potential,” Gathegi said. “Whereas with Mister Terrific in Superman, the message that I’m receiving is you can be one of the most intelligent characters in the universe, and you can make a difference. You can help save the world.”

It’s a full-circle moment for an actor who was once sidelined, now stepping into the spotlight not just with a bigger role, but with a bigger message.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter