Bassem youssef
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Superman: Legacy sources deny actor Bassem Youssef's claim that he lost a potential role in James Gunn's upcoming Warner Bros. film because of comments he made critical of Israel.
The Egyptian-born comedian told Salon this week that he had been in discussions about a role, but was later informed that the role was no longer in the DC Studios film due to script changes. Youssef said he learned of the script changes after his interview with Piers Morgan went viral in October, in which the comic made critical comments about Israel amid its ongoing war with Hamas.
“I was cast in the movie Superman, and then after that interview with Piers Morgan they told me, 'We changed the script,'” Youssef told the publication. “I want to assume good faith. I want to know, I want to believe, that this is true. I was a little bitter and wanted to leave, I was like, “Oh, screw DC, screw Warner Bros.” But then I understand, I understand the emotional burden that these people have. I mean, these people have a connection to Israel.”
According to insiders, Gunn and Youssef discussed a role before the writers' strike that began in May, but the character was ultimately cut from the final script after the labor dispute ended in late September but before the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. The actor did not have a formal offer for the role.
Youssef was set to play the leader of a fictional Middle Eastern country in the DC Universe.
On Friday, Gunn clarified the situation, writing in Threads: “Baseem and I have talked and are doing well. I understand how he imagined things (which he made clear in his interview) and I told him the whole story.”
The feature film, which will be released in theaters on July 11, 2025, stars David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The cinema release is planned for March.
Youssef's words struck a nerve because the Israel-Hamas war is a lightning rod in Hollywood. Scream producer Spyglass fired actress Melissa Barrera late last year after she posted social media posts in support of Palestine.