Summary
- James Gunn has found the DC Universe's Martha Kent in actress Neva Howell, who joined the cast of Superman.
- Pruitt Taylor Vince was recently cast as Jonathan Kent, Martha's husband and adopted father of Clark Kent.
- Howell's experience in nurturing roles makes her perfect for Martha, a character known for being integral to Superman's origin story.
After casting Jonathan Kent, 2025's Superman now has its Martha Kent. News recently broke that Jonathan Kent would be played by Pruitt Taylor Vince. Now, Pa Kent has his wife, Martha, as Vince will be joined by a veteran actress to take on the role of Superman's adopted parents in James Gunn's DCU film.
The Wrap reports that Neva Howell will play Martha Kent in the upcoming Superman movie. Martha was first played by Phyllis Thaxter in 1978's Superman and was later played by Eva Marie Saint in 2006's Superman Returns. Diane Lane most recently played the character in 2013's Man of Steel, 2016's Batman V. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and 2017's Justice League. With the addition of Martha, Superman now has both of his adopted human parents, and it could be revealed later who's playing his late Kryptonian parents.
Why Neva Howell Is The Perfect Choice For Superman's Martha Kent The Actress Has Appeared In Logan Lucky And Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul 
Martha Kent, as portrayed in the comics, is traditionally an older, simpler, motherly figure. In Superman's chaotic life of journalism and fighting intergalactic threats, it's comforting for him to go back to the farm and spend some time with his mother, away from the chaos of his everyday life. She is a warm, wholesome individual, and she needs an actor who can portray that energy.
Howell hasn't had many starring roles, but her career has demonstrated that she's the perfect casting for Martha. She's played nannies, nurses, and mothers throughout her career, and she's showcased the maternal and loving energy that's required in this role. In Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul, she's credited as playing Farmer Lady, which is essentially a reduced version of who Martha is. Superman has a deep love for his mother, and Howell is a good choice to convey why.
As for how John and Martha Kent will factor into the story of Superman, that remains to be seen, since the movie is taking place after David Corenswet's Clark Kent has established himself as the Man of Steel. It's likely Gunn's movie will follow the typical Superman origin, in which the Kents take in a young Kal-El when his ship crash-lands on Earth after the destruction of Krypton, and raise him as their son. Beyond that, it's unclear if the Kents will appear in flashbacks or in modern day, though Pa Kent's death is often a key part of Clark's evolution into a hero. More will be revealed as production continues on Superman.
Source: The Wrap
Key Release Dates
The Batman Part II Release Date: 2026-10-02 Movies Superman (2025) DC Extended Universe Close Your changes have been saved
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