June 2025 is over, which means we are officially in the home stretch before audiences all over the world look up, and see Superman take flight once more. It also marks just over one year to the date that we were invited to visit the set of James Gunn’s kick off to the new DC Universe! To celebrate the arrival of the new Man of Steel, we’re happy to finally present to you all of our interviews with the cast and crew. So let the countdown to the epic new film begin, as we bring you a total of seven days worth of interviews to get you ready for its Earth-shattering debut!

While on the set of Superman in Cleveland, Ohio in June 2024, The Nerds of Color, along with other members of the press, were given an incredible and rare opportunity to meet with several of the remarkable cast and crew members that brought Gunn’s new vision of The Man of Steel to life. Not only were we able to meet with Gunn himself (in an interview we previously brought to you back in December when the first trailer debuted), but also stars David Corenswet (Clark Kent/Superman), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific), Skyler Gisondo (Jimmy Olsen), Sara Sampaio (Eve Teschmacher), Wendell Pierce (Perry White), Mikaela Hoover (Cat Grant), and Beck Bennett (Steve Lombard). During our time there, we even got to chat with some of the crew, including Executive Producer Chantal Nong, Production Designer Beth Mickle, Costume Designer Judianna Makovsky.

Thus leading up to the debut of the film, we thought it would be a ton of fun sharing one of these interviews with you all each day. That way you can get an up close and exclusive look at what it took to bring Superman to life, with all of the incredible players that were involved. And we wanted to kick things off with The Daily Planet trio of Pierce, Hoover, and Bennett!

Going all the way back to the 1940s, The Daily Planet has been a staple in Superman mythology, as well as comic book history, since the birth of the superhero. Not only was it a foundation for giving Clark Kent an alibi to keep his ear out for trouble around Metropolis, but it was also home to some of the most intrepid and admirable journalist characters in the history of comics, including Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and the characters portrayed by Pierce, Hoover, and Bennett. Pierce is taking on the role of the publication’s iconic chief, Perry White. Hoover (a Gunn mainstay) will be bringing to life Cat Grant, one of Lois Lane’s biggest rivals and the gossip columnist for The Daily Planet, and SNL alumnus, Bennett is playing Daily Planet Sports Columnist and editor, Steve Lombard.

Here’s what they had to say about their upcoming roles in the movie, and the impact The Daily Planet will have in the story, and the new DC Universe:

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Question: What kind of newsroom does Perry White run?

Pierce: Efficient. Tough. But you know. That’s to cover up his insecurities.

What’s it like to work at a newspaper where Superman is flying around? Is it always the top story?

Hoover: No we have other things. There’s so much celebrity gossip going on in the world right now.

Bennett: There’s other things, like sports. I cover sports. Really really important. I think it’s more important, actually. But yeah, from the time that we’ve worked there, it seems like the stories coming through are somewhat Superman-related.

Pierce: If it bleeds, it leads. I feel like Perry is always… “All the news that’s fit to print” is in his head all the time. I want that. Like the New York Times… If it’s sensational, it’s going to be above the fold.

Bennett: Superman gets a lot of the spotlight. He’s doing all that stuff.

How does Steve’s mustache factor into everything?

Bennett: Am I allowed to talk about that? It saves everybody. When this thing is on screen, nobody can look at anything else. No, it really just represents my character’s bravado. And how he feels a sense of security and confidence he puts out in the world. He doesn’t always have the confidence he’s advertising, I guess.

Pierce: It’s a thing of beauty. It’s the first thing we all asked about. Man, how did you do it?

Bennett: My wife’s cousin said “I love that you dyed it!” And I said, “No, I didn’t dye it.” And he said, “Yeah right!” People ask if I shampoo and condition it. But no. It’s really the only facial hair I can grow. So it’s the facial hair I was meant to grow. Hope from here on out I only do mustache characters.

Can you guys tease about the drama and politics that go on around The Daily Planet staff?

Hoover: Steve’s an asshole.

Bennett: No I’m just honest. And clearest conscience.

Hoover: So annoying. Always in my ear. Always…

Bennett: There may have been some… I don’t want to say romantic…

Hoover: Ugh.

Bennett: Romance would be too generous?

Hoover: Way too generous. It was a moment of weakness.

Bennett: For myself… Yeah, there’s some friction there between Cat and Steve.

Pierce: A lot of friction. And Perry’s always late to the game. He’s like, “Is there something there between those two? Oh. I didn’t see it.” I seem to be asking that a lot. I’m always worried about the byline. But I don’t always recognize the reality.

Can you talk about your relationships with Clark Kent?

Bennett: I think he’s a… what’s the word?

Hoover: Dreamy.

Bennett: No! I don’t. Steve doesn’t. Cat does. Steve thinks he’s a little bit of a country bumpkin… And Clark often has the connection to Superman. So he often gets that front page. And I just think he’s a real boring, plain, uninteresting writer. And I think my writing is a lot more… [Sports] connects to the people and the working class. It’s our stories is what I feel.

Pierce: I don’t think much of him, but he gets that Superman lead. So I’m happy about that all the time. I don’t know how you do it. Or what’s your connection, but you get me that Superman lead.

What are your impressions of David as Superman?

Pierce: David’s great!

Bennett: Incredible!

Pierce: He makes me feel old. But besides that, we both went to Julliard at different times. I didn’t realize how many years were between when I went there and he went there. And they number all the groups in Julliard. I was group 14. He was group 45. I was like “Goddamn! I’m old enough to be your father. Oh my God!”

Hoover: He and Rachel really set the tone. The way that they conduct themselves. The respect they have for everyone working around them. Every actor, every crew member. They just, from Day One, really set the tone.

Bennett: I couldn’t agree more. Steve is yelling in Clark’s ear from the first second I walk on set. And he’s so gracious and accepting of everybody on set, regardless of how obnoxious their character is. He’s like a big brother.

Can you describe the energy in the newsroom?

Pierce: A lot of energy. Fast-paced. Get the story, beyond the story. And David brings a lot of that too. He’s very charismatic. Very much a person who deserves all eyes on him.

Hoover: Definitely. He’s a leader. He definitely has taken the lead on this and made it great!

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At that point, unfortunately, Hoover, Pierce, and Bennett were called back to set, so we were not able to spend more time with them. However, what they gave us summarized what we can expect from a very spot-on interpretation of what The Daily Planet should look like on film: hectic and fast-paced, but efficient, and home to the most intrepid reporters in the DC Universe. They were hilarious, which isn’t surprising coming from top talent like Hoover, Bennett, and Pierce, who all have had experience with comedic roles. However, despite the staff shenanigans we might see in the film, we truly got the impression that when the going gets tough in Metropolis, this team only gets tougher!

We have more interviews coming your way from our set visit to Superman, including interviews with stars Nicholas Hoult, Rachel Brosnahan, and David Corenswet, as we count down to the premiere of DC Studios’ Superman! Stay tuned to The Nerds of Color for much more to come! It’s going to be incredible!