Former LSU Shreveport Instructor Is Superman’s Dad In James Gunn’s Summer Blockbuster

There are going to be some former LSU Shreveport students who get to see a former instructor on the biggest of big screens this summer.

Former LSUS Instructor in New Superman Film

When James Gunn's new summer blockbuster Superman hits theatres on July 11th, a former Shreveport resident will portray one of the most important characters in Superman's life. The role of Jonathan Kent, Superman's adoptive Earth father, is being played by Louisiana native Pruitt Taylor Vince.

In the latest trailer, not only did we get to see our first full look at Pruitt in this legendary role, but his voice delivers one of the most important lines in the trailer...

"Your choices. Your actions. That's what makes you who you are."

Pruitt is playing Jonathan Kent opposite of the new Superman, David Corenswet, in this latest Superman franchise reboot.

But this isn't just a Superman reboot, this is the first film launching James Gunn's new DC Universe. The iconic writer/director has a huge resume in the movie and tv world, especially when it comes to comic book properties. Gunn is probably best known as the writer and director of Marvel's Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. He's wrote and directed The Suicide Squad for DC, and the spinoff streaming series Peacemaker.

Remembering Pruitt Taylor Vince's Time at LSU Shreveport

Back in the late 2000s, Pruitt Taylor Vince was an Artist in Residence at LSU in Shreveport. Between 2007 and 2010, he worked on numerous theatre productions with students, including The More The Merrier, Murder at the Banquet, Burn This, and Bulrusher. He not only worked with the LSUS students on these productions, but appeared as an actor alongside them.

He's originally from Baton Rouge, but Pruitt has connections all over the state of Louisiana. Especially in Shreveport.

Superman Director James Gunn's Shreveport Connection

But Pruitt isn't the only person involved in this Superman film who has a connection to Shreveport. Writer/director James Gunn has his own Shreveport connection.

Gunn filmed his superhero dark comedy movie Super in Shreveport. The film stars Rainn Wilson, Elliot Page, Liv Tyler, and Kevin Bacon. The movie filmed in Shreveport between December of 2009 and January of 2010.

When Superman's Director & Star Were Both in Shreveport

Which interestingly was during the same period Pruitt was working at LSUS, putting both Gunn and Pruitt in Shreveport at the same time. Now 15 years later, they're bringing the latest version of Superman to the world.