The latest addition to the revamped DC Universe (DCU) comes in the form of a new antagonist for the highly-anticipated film Superman: Legacy. According to Deadline, Venezuelan actress María Gabriela de Faría has been cast as Angela Spica, also known as The Engineer, in James Gunn’s directorial debut within the rebooted comic book universe.
De Faría, known for her recent roles in Joel McHale’s Animal Control and the Fox comedy The Moodys, is set to take on the role of one of the primary adversaries facing David Corenswet’s Man of Steel. This marks a significant breakthrough for the actress, whose diverse experience spans from the SYFY series Deadly Class to films like The Exorcism of God and The Duel, led by Dylan Sprouse.
María Gabriela de Faría (Credits: DCU)
The character of The Engineer, introduced in The Authority vol.1 #1 in 1999, is a relatively new addition to the DC comic canon. While the specifics of her involvement in the plot remain undisclosed, The Engineer possesses a liquid body and extraordinary powers derived from nanotechnology coursing through her system.
Superman: Legacy, not to be confused with this year’s Blue Beetle, serves as the official introduction to the rebooted DCU led by James Gunn and producer Peter Safran. Unlike a typical origin story for Superman, the film will delve into the internal conflict between the hero’s Kryptonian heritage and human upbringing as he grapples with evil forces in the world.
The presence of The Engineer in the film hints at an established universe surrounding the Man of Steel, paving the way for Gunn and Safran’s previously announced The Authority movie. This upcoming project aims to integrate more WildStorm characters into the broader DC Universe.
While filming for Superman: Legacy is scheduled to commence next summer, the ensemble cast is already shaping up. David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan are set to portray the crucial roles of Superman and Lois, with Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, and Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason/Metamorpho rounding out the ensemble. Gunn, who also penned the script, is at the helm of the project.
Despite potential disruptions from the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, Gunn has affirmed that Superman: Legacy remains on track for its anticipated debut on July 11, 2025. As production approaches, stay tuned to Collider for more updates on the film. For a comprehensive overview of what is known about the upcoming DCU reboot, refer to our guide here.
