DC Studios Co-head and Director of the upcoming franchise reboot movie “Superman,” James Gunn, celebrated the anniversary of Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen with a new set photo today.
“Today is the anniversary of Superman’s Best Pal Jimmy Olsen. [Skyler Gisondo’s] performance in Superman is gonna knock you out of your socks,” said Gunn on social media.
Jimmy Olsen, one of the most enduring supporting characters in the Superman mythos, first appeared in “Action Comics” No.6 in 1938. However, his character wasn’t officially named until “Superman” No.13 in 1941. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Jimmy was introduced as a young photojournalist working at the Daily Planet. He quickly became known as Superman’s best friend.
In the early comics, Jimmy Olsen was depicted as an enthusiastic and frequently clumsy cub reporter. His friendship with Superman set him apart, often leading him into extraordinary and sometimes amusing situations.
Many of these escapades were chronicled in his long-running series, “Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen,” which ran from 1954 to 1974. This series embraced the bizarre and fantastical, transforming Jimmy into various extraordinary beings, such as a giant turtle and a werewolf, reflecting the Silver Age’s fascination with the outlandish.
Over the decades, Jimmy Olsen’s character has undergone significant transformations, reflecting the evolving times. In contemporary portrayals, he is depicted as a tech-savvy, courageous journalist with a strong moral compass, often willing to put his life on the line for the pursuit of truth. While his relationship with Superman remains a central aspect of his character, he has also grown more independent and occasionally takes on investigative roles that showcase his exceptional journalistic skills.
Jimmy Olsen has been portrayed in numerous adaptations, ranging from the classic Adventures of Superman TV series to more recent shows like Supergirl, where he was reimagined as James Olsen, a more mature and heroic version of the character. He’s also appeared in films, notably played by Marc McClure in the Christopher Reeve Superman films. However, none of these casts have been as accurately portrayed as Gisondo’s.
“Superman” stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as star-studded Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane, Skyler Gisondo as photographer Jimmy Olsen, Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Nicholas Hoult as classic antagonist Lex Luthor, Neva Howell as Marhta Kent, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan “Pa” Kent, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, and Christopher McDonald as Ron Troupe.
The cast also includes Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Terence Rosemore as Otis, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner and María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer.
“Superman” flies into theaters domestically on July 11, 2025.
