Superman: Legacy Sources are pushing back against claims that actor Bassem Youssef has lost a potential role in director James Gunn’s upcoming Warner Bros. film because of comments critical of Israel.
The Egyptian-born comedian said: salon He was in negotiations for the role this week, but was later told that the role had been removed from the DC Studios film due to script changes. Youssef said in an October interview with Piers Morgan that he learned of the script change after the comic’s comments criticizing Israel amid the ongoing war with Hamas went viral. .
“I was invited to appear in a movie, SupermanAnd after this Piers Morgan interview, they told me, ‘We’ve changed the script,”’ Yousef told the publication. “I want to respond in good faith. I want to know and I want to believe that it’s true. I was feeling a little bitter and wanted to go, but I was like, ‘Oh, no, DC. I was like, “No Warner Brothers.” But I understand the emotional burden those people are carrying. In other words, those people have ties to Israel. ”
Sources said Gunn and Youssef discussed the role before the writers’ strike that began in May, but the role was ultimately decided after the labor dispute ended in late September and after Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7. It was previously removed from the final script. The actor was not formally offered the role.
Youssef was eyed to play the leader of a fictional Middle Eastern country in the DC Universe.
The film, starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, is scheduled to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025, and will be released in March. I’m planning on doing it.
Yousef’s words struck a chord, as the Israel-Hamas war is a lightning rod for Hollywood. scream Producer Spyglass fired actor Melissa Barrera late last year for social media posts supporting Palestine.
Film director Gunn: “This is accurate” I wrote it on X Fridaya link to a story reporting that the character was written out before October 7th.