Superman’s First Reviews: Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific Steals the Show in DCU Reboot

Superman’s First Reviews are lighting up the internet, and one name keeps popping up: Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt, aka Mister Terrific, in James Gunn’s Superman 2025.

Premiering at the TCL Chinese Theatre on July 7, 2025, and hitting theaters worldwide on July 11, this DC Universe DCU reboot introduces Gathegi as the genius inventor and martial artist, a key player in the film’s Justice Gang.

Critics and fans alike are raving about his scene-stealing performance, with many calling him a breakout star.

From comic-accurate costumes to dynamic action, let’s compile every review and comment on Gathegi’s Mister Terrific to see why he’s the talk of the town.

Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific in Superman: The Reviews

Critics Praise Gathegi’s Star Power

Critics are unanimous: Gathegi’s Mister Terrific is a highlight of Superman. Brandon Davis of Phase Hero podcast called him a scene-stealer, describing Gathegi as terrific in a serious, awesome supporting role that mirrors his comic-book counterpart, @BrandonDavisBD, July 8, 2025.

Erik Voss, posting on X, gushed that Gathegi’s portrayal is the measure of coolness James Gunn has in store for the DCU, predicting a wild future if this is the benchmark, @eavoss, July 8, 2025.

Awards Watch lauded Gathegi as a star, noting his commanding presence despite the film’s occasional no-stakes destruction, @awards_watch, July 8, 2025. These reviews highlight Gathegi’s ability to elevate a supporting role into a standout performance.

Fan Reactions on X: A New DC Icon

Fans on X are equally hyped. @ResonantJustice declared Mister Terrific awesome, demanding a solo TV show or movie for Gathegi, who was aura farming for most of the film, July 8, 2025. @CS11__ praised Gathegi’s comic-accurate suit as one of the greatest live-action superhero costumes ever, calling it perfection, June 25, 2024.

@DCUBrief noted Gathegi’s role as a brilliant inventor in the Justice Gang, emphasizing his high-tech gadgets, December 19, 2024. Fans like @SpeedForce2022 on Reddit echoed this, saying Gathegi looks incredible despite the bulky jacket hiding his physique, June 24, 2024.

The buzz suggests Gathegi’s Mister Terrific is poised to become a DCU fan favorite.

Comic Accuracy and Performance Depth

Gathegi’s portrayal draws heavily from the comics, where Michael Holt is the third-smartest man in the DC Universe, behind Batman and Lex Luthor. Critics praise his comic-accurate costume, especially the nanotechnology mask and T-Spheres, which Gathegi confirmed are functional tools, not just leather, per a ScreenRant set visit.

He told the DC Studios Showcase Podcast that his take goes deeper, more complex, and unhinged than past iterations, adding layers to Holt’s atheist, justice-driven persona shaped by his wife’s tragic death, @DCFilmNews, June 6, 2025.

This depth, combined with martial arts skills and gadget-heavy action, makes Gathegi’s performance both authentic and electrifying.

A Redemption Arc from X-Men

Gathegi himself sees Mister Terrific as a redemption arc after his brief, ill-fated role as Darwin in X-Men: First Class in 2011. He told Entertainment Weekly he hopes to undo the wrongs of that role, aiming to inspire a new generation, especially young Black kids, with this superhero, June 15, 2025.

Fans on Reddit, like u/AldebaranTauro, agree, pleading with Gunn not to kill off Gathegi like in First Class. His thoughtful preparation, including consuming comics and animation and pushing his physical limits as a decathlete, underscores his commitment, per Bleeding Cool, June 15, 2025.

Highlights of Edi Gathegi’s Mister Terrific Reviews

• Scene-Stealer: Critics call Gathegi terrific, a star who elevates his supporting role with charisma and depth.

• Comic Accuracy: His nanotechnology mask, T-Spheres, and Fair Play jacket are praised as perfection by fans and critics.

• Fan Hype: X users demand a solo project, with some saying Gathegi’s aura dominates the film.

• Redemption Arc: Gathegi sees the role as a chance to redefine his superhero legacy post-X-Men.

• Release Date: Superman, featuring Gathegi, hits theaters July 11, 2025, after its July 7 premiere.

Why Gathegi’s Mister Terrific Resonates

A Perfect Fit for Gunn’s Vision

Gunn revealed Gathegi’s role is the largest among Superman’s supporting heroes, with a major plot impact, per a CBR set visit, December 17, 2024. Den of Geek noted Gathegi’s Mister Terrific embodies the optimistic, grounded perspective Gunn wants for the DCU, bridging past and present with his Fair Play motto, June 28, 2024.

Gathegi’s preparation, including bulking up and diving into comics like The Terrifics and Injustice, ensured authenticity, per MovieWeb, June 8, 2025.

His comic-accurate look, praised by @DCU_Updates for its nanotechnology, July 1, 2025, aligns with Gunn’s commitment to vibrant, source-faithful heroes.

Cultural and Emotional Impact

Gathegi’s casting, chosen after auditions from over 200 actors, per ComicBookMovie, July 1, 2025, reflects his unique fit for Holt, a self-made millionaire with 14 PhDs and a tragic past.

His comments about inspiring young Black audiences resonate, with X posts like @EverythingDCU_ highlighting his portrayal of an atheist who finds hope through intellect, June 11, 2025.

Critics note his ability to balance Holt’s grief, driven by his wife’s death, with a charismatic, justice-focused hero, making him a relatable yet aspirational figure.

Challenges and Context

While reviews of Gathegi are overwhelmingly positive, some critiques of Superman’s cluttered plot, like Peter Howell’s in the Toronto Star, suggest supporting characters like Mister Terrific could get overshadowed.

However, Gathegi’s standout performance seems to counter this, with fans on Reddit, like u/SpeedForce2022, expressing excitement for his future in the DCU, possibly leading The Terrifics or the Justice Society, June 24, 2024.

His confirmed return in future DCU projects, per @DCU_, June 24, 2025, fuels anticipation.

Future in the DCU

Gathegi’s Mister Terrific is set to appear beyond Superman, with Polygon speculating he could investigate Superman’s role in a skeptical world, drawing from comics like Strange Adventures, December 19, 2024.

His ties to The Terrifics, hinted at by Gunn’s social media, suggest a team-up with Metamorpho, per CBR, June 27, 2024. With a 2-hour-9-minute runtime and PG-13 rating, Superman sets the stage for Gathegi’s long-term DCU presence, amplified by the review embargo’s full lift on July 8, 2025, at 3 PM EST.

Some Closing Thoughts:

Edi Gathegi’s portrayal of Mister Terrific in Superman’s first reviews is a triumph, earning near-universal praise as a scene-stealing, comic-accurate performance.

Critics and fans celebrate his charisma, depth, and high-tech flair, with many calling for a solo project.

Overcoming his X-Men past, Gathegi delivers a Mister Terrific who embodies hope, intellect, and justice, setting a high bar for the DCU.

As Superman lands on July 11, 2025, Gathegi’s breakout role proves he’s a hero to watch.

Will he lead the DCU’s next chapter? Catch the film and see why he’s terrific.