James Gunn Welcomes Guardians’ Kai Zen to Superman Set
Gunn hosts Kai Zen on set, meets Rachel Brosnahan, then watches the 1966 Superman musical.
Image: Instagram
A Special On-set Visit
James Gunn just treated fans to a delightful behind-the-scenes moment on the set of his upcoming Superman: Legacy. In an Instagram post, the director shared that his “great pal, Kai (@kai_zen_)—who you may recognize as Phyla from Guardians Vol 3—visited set and got to meet Lois Lane herself (@rachelbrosnahan) and then we watched the 1966 Broadway @Superman musical on YouTube together.”
The two images uploaded by Gunn capture Kai Zen beaming beside Rachel Brosnahan in a corner of the sprawling set, complete with storyboard sketches and a retro movie poster backdrop. In the second shot, the trio is curled around a laptop—Gunn pointing at the screen as the 1966 Superman musical unfolds in black-and-white clips.
Behind The Scenes Of Superman: Legacy
This impromptu screening comes amid a flurry of promotional activity for Gunn’s take on the Man of Steel. Just weeks earlier, he kicked off the #Superman World Tour in the Philippines, thanking fans for their warm welcome in a post that showed him onstage and beaming at the crowd. He’s also teased glimpses of Lex Luthor’s office, the Fortress of Solitude entrance (filmed in Norway and Atlanta), and even shared casting announcements for DCU characters like Clayface and Hawkgirl.
Rachel Brosnahan, best known for her Emmy-winning turn in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, steps into Lois Lane’s shoes opposite David Corenswet as Clark Kent. Her appearance in Gunn’s set photos alongside young Kai Zen underscores the director’s gift for blending generations of talent—linking his Marvel roots (with Guardians’s baby Phyla cameo) to his new DC future.
Nostalgia In Action
The 1966 Superman musical might feel like an odd choice for a high-tech blockbuster set, but Gunn explained that revisiting that campy stage show speaks to his affection for all corners of the Superman legacy. The lost Broadway production starred Bob Holiday as Kal-El and was only staged for a handful of performances, yet it has remained a cult favorite among superfans.
Gunn’s decision to screen the vintage musical for Kai and Brosnahan highlights a playful contrast: the DIY charm of 1960s theatrical effects versus the VFX-driven spectacle of today’s superhero films. In his caption, he credited Kai as a “great pal,” a nod to the comfort of inviting family-like friends onto a busy set and sharing a moment of pure nostalgia.
Looking Ahead
As Superman: Legacy moves into its next production phase, fans can expect more behind-the-camera glimpses—and perhaps additional guest appearances. Gunn’s transparent approach to sharing prep work has already included overseas shoots, casting reveals, and photo features in outlets like Rolling Stone. Now, with Kai Zen joining the fun and Rachel Brosnahan on hand to swap comic-book trivia, the set has a warm, collaborative vibe.
Keep an eye on Gunn’s Instagram for more dispatches, whether he’s scouting locations for Metropolis or unveiling which song from the 1966 score has become his official set anthem. Either way, this on-set playdate proves that even the most elaborate superhero shoot can pause for a bit of musical history—and good company.
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