Have you seen the trailer for the new Superman movie? The one being helmed by James Gunn? Well, guess what — Mister Terrific is going to be in it!
“Cool,” you might say.
“But… who’s that character?”
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered — let’s dive in.
As you know, the cinematic world that brought us Superman, Batman, and friends has come to an end. Why? Because the Snyderverse struggled to stay competitive, especially with Marvel’s MCU (now backed by Disney) dominating the superhero movie game for over a decade. That’s when James Gunn, known for his work on Guardians of the Galaxy for Marvel, was brought in to reboot Superman’s universe.
And rebooting DC means bringing new characters into the spotlight!
For those who followed the Arrowverse (made up of Arrow, Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow, Black Lightning, and Batwoman), Mister Terrific might sound familiar. But the one you saw on Arrow, played by Echo Kellum, was Curtis Holt. This time, expect to meet the original version: Michael Holt, portrayed by Kenyan-American actor Edi Mūe Gathegi (The Harder They Fall, Startup, X-Men: First Class).
With this role, Edi Gathegi joins the list of actors who’ve crossed over from Marvel to DC. You may remember him as Darwin, one of Professor X’s gifted students — though let’s be honest, that power was wildly disrespected, because Darwin should never have died in that film. (No spoiler alert needed — it’s been since 2011.)
From Michael Holt to Mister Terrific
In the comics, Michael Holt is a genius from a very young age, devouring the work of physics legends like Niels Bohr, Albert Einstein, Max Planck, and Richard Feynman — the holy grail of theoretical science. He grows up alongside his older brother Jeffrey, who has a mental disability and whom Michael loves deeply. When Jeffrey dies at the age of 12, it leaves Michael heartbroken.
Michael has a unique gift: he masters complex skills with ease — the kind that others spend a lifetime learning. As he puts it, he has a “natural talent for natural talents.”
Before ever donning a superhero outfit, Holt earns 14 PhDs — yes, you read that right — including two in engineering and physics, along with degrees in law, psychology, chemistry, political science, computer science, astronautics, and mathematics.
Oh, and did we mention he’s a self-made multimillionaire, founder of a cutting-edge tech company, and an Olympic gold medalist in the decathlon?
Yeah. He’s basically a fusion of Bruce Wayne and Oliver Queen.
The making of a hero
What defines a good vigilante? (That’s the term for crime-fighters who operate outside official law enforcement.)
They often share something painful: the loss of loved ones. It’s a tragic turning point that compels them to step into the shadows and fight injustice. Bruce Wayne witnessed his parents’ murder and became Batman. Peter Parker caused the death of Uncle Ben and became Spider-Man. Barry Allen lost his mother and became The Flash.
For each of them, justice starts with a personal loss — and Michael Holt is no different.
He had already lost his brother as a child. Later in life, his pregnant wife dies in a tragic accident. That’s what pushes him to step into the role of the second Mister Terrific, taking up the mantle after Terry Sloane.
The Batman comparisons aren’t accidental: both are brilliant businessmen by day and high-level human vigilantes in a world of gods like Superman, Aquaman, or Nubia.
His feats
Mister Terrific eventually becomes the leader of the Justice Society of America. He earns the respect of his superhero peers thanks to his mind and his skillset.
He’s considered one of the top three intellects in the entire DC Universe. And physically? He’s still got that Olympic gold — so yes, he’s stacked.
Also, he’s a master martial artist.
He wears a nanotech mask shaped like a T, which he designed himself. It lets him detect different forms of energy. He also uses floating gadgets called T-spheres that serve multiple functions: defense, hacking, and surveillance, to name a few.
A breath of fresh air for DC
It’s genuinely exciting to see a character like Michael Holt being introduced right from the launch of DC’s new cinematic universe. We’re used to Batman, Aquaman, or Cyborg — but this is something new. Mister Terrific signals a shift, a breath of fresh air in a world long dominated by familiar capes.
And if Mister Terrific’s story isn’t enough to get you hyped, get ready — because fan-favorite John Stewart, one of the most beloved Green Lanterns, is reportedly on the horizon too, with Aaron Pierre (Rebel Ridge) expected to take on the role.
Et si les histoires des gens aux super pouvoirs vous intéressent, nous vous invitons à découvrir la notre à travers ses ouvrages !
