James Gunn made the decision to fire a cast member from the DC Universe’s Superman movie after they broke a specific rule on set. The film, which premiered in July 2025, quickly became the top-grossing superhero release of the year, starring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicolas Hoult, Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, and Edi Gathegi. The blockbuster has earned more than $600 million worldwide and remains a popular title in theaters and on digital platforms.
AJ Bernard Shares Details About the Incident Involving the Flag
AJ Bernard, who played a notable role in Superman, described the circumstances that led to the firing during a recent interview. While speaking on the Comic Misfits Podcast, Bernard recalled a scene set during a battle between Boravia and Jarhanpur, where he was responsible for holding a large pole bearing the Superman flag. He explained that he was struggling to manage the heavy pole on his own, but a fellow cast member stepped in to help—contrary to the production’s rules.
When we did the movie, I was struggling to pick it up; nobody was supposed to help me, but somebody actually helped me. And they weren’t supposed to. So James Gunn got mad, and they got kicked out.
—AJ Bernard, Actor
Alaya, AJ’s sister and his co-star in the movie, confirmed the decision, adding,
James Gunn fired a guy because he helped AJ pick up the flag.
—Alaya, Actress
Challenges of Handling the Flag During Filming
AJ elaborated on the flag’s size and weight, mentioning its structure made the task difficult.
It was big because like three, three sticks on top of each other. It was like a big one, then a medium one, then a small one on top.
He described carrying the flag alone as they all fled in the scene, a sequence featured in the film’s climactic finale. The image of the raised Superman flag played a prominent role in promoting the movie.
Current Availability and Impact of Superman
Superman continues to attract audiences in theaters and on streaming platforms, maintaining its status as a significant release for the DC Universe. James Gunn’s strict enforcement of on-set rules highlights the director’s commitment to discipline during production, which may have contributed to the film’s overall success and impressive box office performance.
