Superman: Legacy is both highly-anticipated and even more so important. Not only will it offer another chance at successfully rebooting Superman on the big screen for a new generation, but it also acts as the beginning of James Gunn's new DC Universe. Actors David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan have already been revealed as the movie's Superman and Lois Lane, with fans now looking to see who portrays the movie's villain or villains. While this is definitely important, there's another member of Superman's supporting cast that needs to be done justice.
Jimmy Olsen is Superman's pal in the comics, but recent adaptations haven't exactly been kind to him. The DC Extended Universe promptly killed him off after introducing him, while the Arrowverse had no real use for him after a while. If James Gunn really wants to portray every facet of Superman's legacy, the main way to do so is by giving one of his closest allies the adaptation he deserves.
Jimmy Olsen's Most Recent Adaptations Haven't Done Him Justice
In the comics, Jimmy Olsen is the cub reporter/photographer for the Daily Planet, which sees him constantly hanging out with Clark Kent and Lois Lane. This tends to get him into all kinds of trouble, especially when he ends up over his head in misadventures. Nevertheless, he's a valuable part of Superman's life, even if this hasn't been accurately portrayed in recent media. Jimmy made his DCEU debut in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, though it wasn't much of an appearance. A CIA agent, Jimmy was introduced and succinctly killed off at the beginning of the movie.
There was no indication of this version of Jimmy being close with Superman, let alone his "pal." Worst of all, his name wasn't even mentioned in the theatrical cut, making it to where only passionate DC fans knew who he was. Needless to say, his portrayal was a major disappointment to fans, and his quick murder only made the dark DC Extended Universe seem even more dour. In the case of the Arrowverse series Supergirl, Jimmy Olsen's characterization was changed entirely, seeming to accommodate the casting of Mehcad Brooks. Instead of his usual portrayal as a strange sort of sidekick, this Jimmy was older and far more physically dominant than the young kid fans are used to.
To this end, Supergirl's Jimmy even went by the name "James" to showcase how he wasn't just someone for Superman to save. This arguably made sense given that the series narratively "began in the middle" of the Superman mythos. Sadly, it meant that he never really interacted with Tyler Hoechlin's Arrowverse Superman, truly making him Jimmy Olsen in name only. Overall, it failed to truly put the classic character on screen in a way that had been done for so many other characters, namely those related to Batman.
Superman: Legacy Can Deliver the Best Take on Superman's Pal
James Gunn's intentions with the upcoming Superman: Legacy and the new DC Universe as a whole is to bring the most classic and archetypal versions of DC characters to the big screen. That starts with getting Superman right, especially since Zack Snyder's Man of Steel was so controversial in his portrayal. Doing right by the Man of Steel includes doing the same for his supporting cast, so Jimmy Olsen needs to be an integral part of his world. In addition to Lois Lane, Jimmy is Superman's tie to the human world. He presents a sort of "man on the street" perspective for Clark Kent to understand, showcasing all the horror and wide-eyed wonder of living in the same city as the Last Son of Krypton.
It's through these very human interactions that Clark would understand why he has to protect the world and those in it. Thus, the actor who portrays Jimmy needs to be able to capture this important aspect of his character and be able to vividly react to all the chaos going on around him. Plus, it would help if he's at least a little bit younger than Superman, as this would help to showcase why he would look up to the hero. Someone along the lines of Tom Holland would be a good actor to play such a role, and the fact that it would involve him playing someone who isn't the main character would allow him some dramatic "range."
Conversely, an actor who's still an up-and-comer would get the break of a lifetime by playing what's essentially Superman's sidekick, making the part a dream come true for any lesser-known talent. Nailing this casting is key to not only making the movie work but making one of Superman's most important side characters a household name. With how spot-on the castings for Superman and Lois have been, Jimmy will likely receive the same all-star treatment.
Superman: Legacy hits theaters on July 11, 2025.