James Gunn Compares Bradley Cooper to Legendary Marlon Brando — But You Decide: Watch 'Superman' and See

What do you do when you need someone to step into the legendary shoes of Marlon Brando? For James Gunn, the answer was clear: call Bradley Cooper.

In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Gunn revealed he had Brando firmly in mind when casting Jor-El, Superman’s father, for his DC tentpole.

"I needed somebody who could play Jor-El, who had the stature of what we imagine that character to be," Gunn explained. "Somebody that could walk in the footsteps of Marlon Brando."

For Gunn, the choice was not just about talent, but trust.

"He’s a friend," Gunn said. "We’ve stayed in close contact since the Guardians movies, and I admire him greatly as an actor and as a director."

So how did the pitch unfold? It was surprisingly straightforward. Gunn simply reached out to Cooper, asking if he’d do him a favour by flying to England, stepping into a 3D environment, and becoming a holographic Jor-El.

It’s a decision that naturally draws comparisons to Brando’s legendary 1978 performance. Whether Cooper can measure up remains to be seen, but with Gunn’s clear confidence — and his remark about wanting someone who could truly "walk in the footsteps of Marlon Brando" — fans are more than a little intrigued.