[ad_1]
Youssef Bassem
Paul Morigi/Getty Images
Superman: legacy Sources are rejecting actor Bassem Youssef’s claim that he lost out on a potential role in James Gunn’s upcoming Warner Bros. film over comments he made critical of Israel.
The Egyptian-born comedian said Lounge He had been in talks for a role this week, but was then told the role was no longer in the DC Studios film due to script changes. Youssef said he learned of the script changes after his October interview with Piers Morgan went viral in which the comedian made critical comments about Israel amid its ongoing war with Hamas.
“They chose me for the movie, Superman“And then they told me, ‘We changed the script’ after this interview with Piers Morgan,” 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, and I thought, ‘Oh, to hell with DC, to hell with Warner Bros.’ But then I understand, I understand the emotional burden that those people have. I mean, those people have a connection to Israel.”
According to inside sources, 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 expected 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 talked and we are fine. I understand how she thought things could be (which was clear in her interview) and I told her the whole story.”
David Corenswet plays Clark Kent/Superman and Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane in the film, which hits theaters on July 11, 2025. It is expected to hit cameras in March.
Youssef’s words struck a chord, as the war between Israel and Hamas is a lightning rod in Hollywood. Shout Producer Spyglass fired actress Melissa Barrera late last year following social media posts she made in support of Palestine.