Edi Gathegi, a Kenyan-American actor, discusses his portrayal of Mr. Terrific in the 2025 Superman movie

Edi Gathegi, a Kenyan Hollywood star, recently spoke with June Gachui, the multi-talented radio host on Capital FM, about his new part as Mr. Terrific in the recently released 2025 Superman film.

James Gunn’s film has received accolades for its fresh interpretation of the Superman mythology and its harmony of action and emotion. In the movie, billionaire Lex Luthor devises a scheme to sway public sentiment against Superman, forcing him to demonstrate to the world that he is their protector.

The 46-year-old Gathegi, who is from Los Angeles, discussed the significant distinctions between stage and film acting in the conversation. The actor, who had theater training, highlighted the visceral connection and immediate experience that stage acting provides. “I like the immediacy of theater,” Gathegi said, adding that live performances and face-to-face interactions with audiences offer a special experience that is difficult to duplicate in the film industry. 

Gathegi did, however, also recognize the wide appeal and worldwide reach of the movie industry. According to him, actors may impact countless lives globally through movies, whereas theater offers a more personal connection. He claimed that his enthusiasm for acting stems from this precise balance between the two arts.

Speaking about his role as Mr. Terrific, Gathegi described the two years of intense training that enabled him to play the part both mentally and physically. He trained with personal trainer Paulo Mashiti to get his body in superhero form in addition to learning Southeast Asian martial arts like Kali and Silat under Enl Mauu’s tutelage. The physical demands were especially challenging because of the 60-pound equipment and the harsh weather conditions during filming. 

Even when the procedure pushed him to the limit, Gathegi’s devotion to training shows that he is committed to giving his performance authenticity. He acknowledged that “it did a number on my back,” but his perseverance and cooperation made it all worthwhile.

Regarding the relationship between his character and Superman, Gathegi thinks that Mr. Terrific and Superman are united by similar values. Although both approaches are slightly different, both are motivated by the desire to make the world a better place. Superman is a hopeful, idealistic hero, while Mr. Terrific, while equally admirable, tends to operate in the background, watching and stepping in only when called upon. 

Gathegi appeared thrilled about the prospect of the two being best friends when June inquired about it. He remarked, “It would be nice to be best friends with Superman,” implying that the two characters might get close in future movies. Gathegi thinks that this dynamic might complicate the DC universe by examining the relationship between idealism and ethics.

Gathegi’s ease with the high-tech devices that are associated with Mr. Terrific’s persona was also discussed. Gathegi said that his exposure to similar characters in prior roles gave him a foothold in the realm of gadgets and technical language, despite the fact that he does not consider himself a techie. He chuckled and said, “I just need to say my lines and be convincing; I don’t need to understand how these things work.”

When Gathegi talked about a particularly remarkable action scene that almost wrecked him physically, it was one of the interview’s most memorable moments. It was exhausting to film in such hot weather with the complete costume and apparatus, and there came a point at which he wanted to give up. 

Regarding the actual 2025 movie, Superman, reviews and viewers have been divided but generally enthusiastic. While Gathegi’s portrayal of the extremely intelligent and morally motivated character has been praised for adding a new depth to the superhero genre, David Corenswet’s sincere portrayal of the iconic hero has received praise for bringing a fresh energy to the character while staying true to the character’s noble essence.

Edi Gathegi’s strong and varied record, which included appearances in Twilight, X-Men: First Class, The Blacklist, Start Up, and other movies and television shows, demonstrated his versatility before he entered the superhero realm. 

The 2025 release offers a lot to enjoy for anyone seeking an action-packed and emotionally complex superhero movie, and it’s obvious that there will be much more in the future.