Despite some rocky box office returns, the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Extended Universe had good showings at this year’s Saturn Awards. In addition to the Best Superhero Film category, both franchises landed nominations in a variety of other categories, particularly Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which landed an additional six nods, including Best Film Direction and Best Actor in a Film. While the MCU threequel would go on to win Best Superhero Film, Blue Beetle‘s Xolo Maridueña netted the DCEU a win with his Best Younger Actor award.
Every Upcoming DC Movie In 2024 And Beyond
Here’s every new DC movie confirmed as in development by WB for 2024 and onwards, including release dates and where they belong in the franchise.
Before the event kicked off, Screen Rant host Kevin Polowy interviewed stars Chyler Leigh, Sean Gunn, Xolo Maridueña, Grace Caroline Currey, and Sofia Hasmik to discuss the MCU, DCU, and Arrowverse, James Gunn’s upcoming tenure at DC and their hopes for both franchise’s futures.
DC & Marvel Stars Share Their Stories On The Saturn Awards Red Carpet
Chyler Leigh
Screen Rant: What is life like post-Arrowverse? What are you missing most about Supergirl?
Chyler Leigh: Oh God, the people. Everybody in front of camera and behind the camera. It’s such a wonderful camaraderie; it’s this little world that we all live in, and we know that most of the things that we do are absolutely absurd and look absolutely ridiculous, especially when you’re acting these deep moments to a tennis ball. That kind of stuff is always [fun]. I miss it, I really do.
Big Supergirl news recently, I’m sure you saw. Milly Alcock has been cast. Do you have any advice for her taking on that role?
Chyler Leigh: Those are big shoes to fill, obviously, but just know your s–t. Do your research and just have fun. Everybody’s interpretation is going to be different, and you can’t listen to absolutely everybody out there. Just play it with as much heart and soul as you’ve got and just do Supergirl right.
The Saturn Awards are all about genre. There are a lot of big franchises being recognized here, from Marvel to DC, Star Wars to Star Trek, Avatar to Fast and Furious. If you could join one major franchise out there, what would it be?
Chyler Leigh: Star Wars. They already have Ahsoka and Sabine. We already have so many of these characters that are established now, but I would love to get on Ahsoka, though. That would be amazing. My son and I went through the entire chronology of Star Wars, including the animated series as well. Clone Wars will always be the best.
Sean Gunn
What do you think the future holds for the Guardians?
Sean Gunn: Oh my God, for the Guardians? I honestly have no idea. To tell you the truth, I think that there are always things going on in the kitchen at Marvel where they’re kind of figuring out the near future and the far future. But if I told you I knew what the Guardians were doing next, I’d be lying. I don’t know. I mean, I think it’s undeniable there’s a future for them. I think most people want to see that.
Someone’s going to have to be the new key master. Have you ever thought about it? Have you ever thought about taking over the reins from your brother and writer-director of the Guardians of the Galaxy?
Sean Gunn: I don’t really think I’m cut out for that job the way that my brother is. I do a little [of that], but I don’t think that’s quite the right job for me. But you never know. Never say never, right?
What do you have on the burner?
Sean Gunn: I like as much as possible to go up and down the spectrum with movies, and do really big projects and really small projects. I’m doing a couple of little ones, and a couple of little indies that I’m going to shoot in the next month or two. And then some bigger stuff with my brother that I can’t really quite talk about yet. We have Creature Commandos coming out in the Fall, which is amazing, and I just cannot wait for an audience to see [it]. And just a bunch of cool stuff, so keep your eye out.
Xolo Maridueña
You absolutely killed it in Blue Beetle. I had big expectations going into it, and the movie blew me away. How do you look back on that experience?
Xolo Maridueña: I mean, I look back like it was the craziest moment of my life. But just like you mentioned, you love Angel, and I love Angel. All of the thanks really goes to him because he helmed this project like no other. He was a warrior and a guardian. To get to share that experience with the world was really vulnerable. I was on set every day thinking this is the best thing that’s ever happened, and as soon as I sat down in that theater seat to watch the movie, I was a little bit nervous. But I was so proud of what we did and so happy. To get to sit here today or stand here at the awards and to get to have it be up for some nominations and be celebrated is an honor.
I know it’s a million-dollar question, and I’m sure everybody’s asking you. Give me your best answer. What do you think the future holds for Jaime? Do you think we’ll see a Blue Beetle 2?
Xolo Maridueña: Yeah, I know we’ll see Blue Beetle again, whether it comes by form of a Blue Beetle 2 or wherever. It’s been really great to work alongside James [Gunn] and Peter [Safran], who have graciously folded us into their new universe, although it wasn’t one that they came up with. It’s an honor. Now, where Blue Beetle heads in the future? We’ll have to see, but I can confidently say that we will see him again soon.
What have those conversations been like with James and Peter? What sort of insights or feedback have they given you so far?
Xolo Maridueña: Just to have fun. I think I sometimes just have to remind myself that I’m still 22, you know? This moment doesn’t happen often, and to enjoy it and to be gracious. Those two guys who have pumped out tons and tons of movies and TV series, and the best advice that they’d give is just to enjoy the moments and be present.
You’re in production on Cobra Kai. How’s this season going to depart from previous seasons?
Xolo Maridueña: That’s right, I just landed yesterday and have to check out tonight, so the grind doesn’t stop. It’s crazy to see how big Karate from the Valley has gotten. I’m reading the scripts like, “What the heck?” But I can guarantee you that our creators, Josh and Hayden, started this project with the most love for the Karate Kid franchise and are ending it in the best way possible. The journey is long, and we’ve still got a bunch of months to film and a bunch of episodes to get through. But I guarantee by the time they come out, everyone’s gonna be excited to see them.
Grace Caroline Currey
Congrats on Shazam!. In terms of ensembles, that cast was insane. It had to be a wild time on set, so give me the absolute greatest story you have from the set of that movie.
Grace Caroline Currey: So, Dame Helen Mirren. This is the bravest thing I’ve ever done – and I mean, it was the bravest thing. I asked her to go to a ballet with me in Georgia, in the middle of nowhere, and she said, “Here’s my email.” I got her email, and she said, “Let’s do it.” I went to the middle of nowhere in Georgia, with Dame Helen Mirren, and watched dance for an evening, just the two of us. It was COVID, so we had masks. It was kind of nice because I think she was able to stay incognito.
Although, at the end, the choreographers were just so inspiring that she wanted to talk to them, so she took her mask off and said, “I just wanted to tell you…” And they were like, “Wait, what’s happening here?!” But it was so fun. She was dancing in her seat, I was dancing in my seat, and I’ll just treasure it forever. Because I was so nervous to ask her, “Do you want to go on a date with me, Helen?”
It was a lovely evening. It was the middle of nowhere, though. It wasn’t a performing arts center, it was like a high school. There was a fire on the side of the road when I was driving over, and I thought, “What is Helen going to think as she’s driving here? She’s going to think, ‘Where did this young girl take me, what’s going on?'”
Sofia Hasmik
We’ve got the final season of Superman & Lois coming up. Tell us everything you can tell us.
Sofia Hasmik: I can tell you nothing. I can tell you to tune in. I can tell you it’s going to be amazing, and that we’re so excited for this fourth season.
Are you guys done filming?
Sofia Hasmik: No, we’re in the process of filming right now. I’m really just so excited for everybody to watch it. That’s what I can say.
Are you prepared to shut it down? Is it going to be bittersweet? Are you emotionally preparing yourself?
Sofia Hasmik: I think I’m just living in the moment. I’m living in the present of it. I feel so fortunate that we have a fourth season. I feel so lucky that we get to close this story up in such a beautiful way. I’m just living it day to day right now.
With the Saturn Awards, there are a lot of big franchises being honored here. You’ve done the Arrowverse. If you could join one other franchise, what’s it going to be?
Sofia Hasmik: Oh my god, I don’t know. All of them. Fast and Furious! I was actually teetering towards that. Most people are going to say Star Wars or Marvel, but no, let’s crash some cars. I really want to do that. Sign me up.
DC Universe
The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
- Created by
- Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson
- First Film
- Man of Steel
- First TV Show
- Peacemaker
- Cast
- Henry Cavill , Ben Affleck , Gal Gadot , Ezra Miller , Ray Fisher , Jason Momoa , Amy Adams , Jesse Eisenberg , Laurence Fishburne , Jeremy Irons , Will Smith , Jared Leto , Margot Robbie , Joel Kinnaman , Viola Davis , Jai Courtney , Jay Hernandez , Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje , Cara Delevingne , Chris Pine , Robin Wright , Zachary Levi , Dwayne Johnson , Amber Heard , Patrick Wilson , Yahya Abdul-Mateen II , Mark Strong , Asher Angel , Jack Dylan Grazer , Djimon Hounsou , Mary Elizabeth Winstead , Jurnee Smollett , Rosie Perez , Ella Jay Basco , Ali Wong , Ewan McGregor , Idris Elba , John Cena , Michael Keaton , George Clooney , Xolo Mariduena
Marvel Cinematic Universe
The Marvel Cinematic Universe is a multimedia superhero franchise that began in 2008 with Paramount’s Iron Man starring Robert Downey Jr. The franchise quickly grew in popularity, with Disney eventually buying out Marvel Entertainment in 2009. The MCU consists of dozens of movies and TV shows, most notably Avengers: Endgame, WandaVision, and Loki.
- Created by
- Kevin Feige
- First Film
- Iron Man
- First TV Show
- Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
- Cast
- Robert Downey Jr. , Chris Evans , Scarlett Johansson , Samuel L. Jackson , Jeremy Renner , Chris Hemsworth , Mark Ruffalo , Edward Norton , Paul Rudd , Tom Holland , Tom Hiddleston , Anthony Mackie , Cobie Smulders , Brie Larson , Chadwick Boseman , Sebastian Stan , Chris Pratt , Dave Bautista , Zoe Saldana , Bradley Cooper , Vin Diesel , Pom Klementieff , Josh Brolin , Karen Gillan , Clark Gregg , Paul Bettany , Don Cheadle , Benedict Cumberbatch , Evangeline Lilly , Simu Liu , Aaron Taylor-Johnson , Angelina Jolie , Kit Harington , Salma Hayek , Richard Madden , Barry Keoghan , Gemma Chan , Ma Dong-seok , Brian Tyree Henry , Kumail Nanjiani , Lauren Ridloff , Lia McHugh , Jonathan Majors
