Uploaded July 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Prior to the embargo lifting for all reviews of James Gunn’s 'Superman' I spoke with Bonnie Discepolo, now allowing us to reveal her role as Lex Luthor’s henchwoman, Ms. Jessop, in the highly anticipated film that officially launches the DCU.
Discepolo’s casting is an exciting addition to a film that already has a lot riding on it. Gunn’s vision for 'Superman' feels like a love letter to the character’s classic roots and what fans have long hoped to see: the return of the "Big Blue Boy Scout." Not only are we getting a Superman that embodies "Truth, Justice and the American Way," but we’re also seeing the DC Universe expand with the live-action debuts of Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo), Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi). It’s a bold ensemble, and I’m hopeful this new chapter can strike the balance between mythic scale and emotional truth.
Superman was always the most relatable hero for me growing up as a First Generation American (until Simon Baz came along). Kal-El, the Last Son of Krypton, is a refugee from a world he can never return to. He’s not quite human, but he’s not fully Kryptonian either. He walks a lonely line between two identities always living in both worlds, but never truly belonging in either. It’s a nuance that Gunn seems to be tapping into with this reboot.
Initially, I assumed Discepolo might be playing Trixie, another Lex Luthor henchwoman, a beautiful cyborg who had the ability to morph her arm into a cannon. That theory, however, was quickly debunked. She is instead portraying Ms. Jessop an equally obscure but intriguing choice.
For those unfamiliar with Ms. Jessop, the character has only made a few appearances in DC comics, often depicted as one of Lex Luthor’s personal aides or security enforcers. While her role hasn’t historically been deep or fleshed out, Gunn is known for taking lesser-known characters and making them shine (see: Polka-Dot Man or Peacemaker). It’s entirely possible Ms. Jessop gets a reinvention here, and Discepolo is certainly capable of delivering.
Bonnie Discepolo is a classically trained actress and an emerging voice as a director. She trained at Moscow’s Art Theatre, and her work often blends strong visuals with deep emotional nuance. She’s appeared on screen in Robert Rodriguez’s thriller 'Hypnotic' opposite Ben Affleck, and on TNT’s 'Murder in the First'. Her short film 'Neo-Dome', starring Anna Camp, won the Audience Award at SXSW last year and marked her as a filmmaker with bold instincts.
Now she steps into her biggest studio project to date, acting alongside Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), David Corenswet (Clark Kent/Superman), and under the direction of Gunn. We spoke about the thrill of being on set, particularly the surreal moment of seeing Corenswet walk onto set for the first time fully suited up as Superman. According to her, it gave her goosebumps. She also reflected on Gunn’s unique ability to translate the heart of comics into something living and breathing and how his vision elevated every scene.
Discepolo also shared how working with Hoult and Corenswet was not only professionally rewarding, but also incredibly fun, with Gunn fostering a collaborative energy that brought out the best in everyone.
With 'Superman' set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025 (which I kept saying July 14th in our interview), all eyes are on Gunn’s ability to relaunch a cinematic universe. But for Discepolo, it’s also a breakout moment; a well-earned step into the spotlight as part of one of pop culture’s most enduring mythologies. And if Ms. Jessop ends up being one of those surprise breakout roles Gunn is known for... don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Follow Bonnie Discepolo on Instagram instagram.com/bonniediscepolo
'Superman' soars into theaters on Friday, July 11, 2025.
#superman #lexluthor #interview #bonniediscepolo #dc #dccomics #dcuniverse #dcu #fanboynation
Prior to the embargo lifting for all reviews of James Gunn’s 'Superman' I spoke with Bonnie Discepolo, now allowing us to reveal her role as Lex Luthor’s henchwoman, Ms. Jessop, in the highly anticipated film that officially launches the DCU.
Discepolo’s casting is an exciting addition to a film that already has a lot riding on it. Gunn’s vision for 'Superman' feels like a love letter to the character’s classic roots and what fans have long hoped to see: the return of the "Big Blue Boy Scout." Not only are we getting a Superman that embodies "Truth, Justice and the American Way," but we’re also seeing the DC Universe expand with the live-action debuts of Rick Flag Sr. (Frank Grillo), Green Lantern Guy Gardner (Nathan Fillion), Hawkgirl (Isabela Merced), and Mr. Terrific (Edi Gathegi). It’s a bold ensemble, and I’m hopeful this new chapter can strike the balance between mythic scale and emotional truth.
Superman was always the most relatable hero for me growing up as a First Generation American (until Simon Baz came along). Kal-El, the Last Son of Krypton, is a refugee from a world he can never return to. He’s not quite human, but he’s not fully Kryptonian either. He walks a lonely line between two identities always living in both worlds, but never truly belonging in either. It’s a nuance that Gunn seems to be tapping into with this reboot.
Initially, I assumed Discepolo might be playing Trixie, another Lex Luthor henchwoman, a beautiful cyborg who had the ability to morph her arm into a cannon. That theory, however, was quickly debunked. She is instead portraying Ms. Jessop an equally obscure but intriguing choice.
For those unfamiliar with Ms. Jessop, the character has only made a few appearances in DC comics, often depicted as one of Lex Luthor’s personal aides or security enforcers. While her role hasn’t historically been deep or fleshed out, Gunn is known for taking lesser-known characters and making them shine (see: Polka-Dot Man or Peacemaker). It’s entirely possible Ms. Jessop gets a reinvention here, and Discepolo is certainly capable of delivering.
Bonnie Discepolo is a classically trained actress and an emerging voice as a director. She trained at Moscow’s Art Theatre, and her work often blends strong visuals with deep emotional nuance. She’s appeared on screen in Robert Rodriguez’s thriller 'Hypnotic' opposite Ben Affleck, and on TNT’s 'Murder in the First'. Her short film 'Neo-Dome', starring Anna Camp, won the Audience Award at SXSW last year and marked her as a filmmaker with bold instincts.
Now she steps into her biggest studio project to date, acting alongside Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), David Corenswet (Clark Kent/Superman), and under the direction of Gunn. We spoke about the thrill of being on set, particularly the surreal moment of seeing Corenswet walk onto set for the first time fully suited up as Superman. According to her, it gave her goosebumps. She also reflected on Gunn’s unique ability to translate the heart of comics into something living and breathing and how his vision elevated every scene.
Discepolo also shared how working with Hoult and Corenswet was not only professionally rewarding, but also incredibly fun, with Gunn fostering a collaborative energy that brought out the best in everyone.
With 'Superman' set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025 (which I kept saying July 14th in our interview), all eyes are on Gunn’s ability to relaunch a cinematic universe. But for Discepolo, it’s also a breakout moment; a well-earned step into the spotlight as part of one of pop culture’s most enduring mythologies. And if Ms. Jessop ends up being one of those surprise breakout roles Gunn is known for... don’t say we didn’t warn you.
Follow Bonnie Discepolo on Instagram instagram.com/bonniediscepolo
'Superman' soars into theaters on Friday, July 11, 2025.
#superman #lexluthor #interview #bonniediscepolo #dc #dccomics #dcuniverse #dcu #fanboynation
