Minor Spoilers for Superman are below!
Summary
James Gunn’sSupermanis soaring in theaters, with fans finding numerous unique Easter eggs. One moment even shares a surprising connection to the gaming seriesVideo Game High School. Gunn’s first feature since taking over the DCU alongside Peter Safran promised fans a reinvigorated DC film and TV slate, andSupermanhas not disappointed.
Scenes allowed characters like Mr. Terrific and Hawkgirl to shine, with story arcs for Metamorpho, and even beautiful, subtle details portraying Ma and Pa Kent. However, smaller references are littered throughoutSuperman, embracing the superhero’s roots and fan culture.Late in the film, a quick shot has fans online recognizing a nod to the beloved seriesVideo Game High School.
Video Game High SchoolWas A Unique Series About Gaming Culture
Video Game High Schoolis a YouTube series created by RocketJump in 2012.The VFX channel utilized the series to highlight their work and tell a story centered on gaming culture. The show ran for three seasons, with only 21 episodes, but it became a cult hit among gamers. The series starred Josh Blaylock, Johanna Braddy, Jimmy Wong, Brian Firenzi, and Ellary Porterfield. It also featured notedappearances by Conan O’Brien, Joel McHale, Tony Hawk, Chris Hardwick, and Stan Lee, among others.
Video Game High Schooltookthe concept of Esports, with players battling it out in competitive games, and posited a world where it was the top sport, with schools dedicated to training players for a future in playing professionally. The story follows Blaylock’s character, Brian D, as he gets the opportunity to attend Video Game High School, or VGHS, one of the most prestigious gaming schools. Brian battles for his place among the school’s best, making a unique cast of friends along the way. A star player, Jenny Matrix, serves as a romantic interest in the story.
Video Game High Schoolembraced gaming culture, allowing it to influence the stories and evolution of the characters. It even saw characters thrive in distinct skills, with some better at certain genres than others, making each story feel different and well-earned. While it embraced gaming,VGHSwas still about high school, incorporating plenty of drama and coming-of-age angst to help endear the show to fans a decade after it ended.
Jenny Matrix Actor, Johanna Braddy, Appears In James Gunn’sSupermanMovie
Supermanhas several quick momentsthat audiences could miss if they looked away for even a fraction of a second. Some of these brief moments often add to the connective nature of the DCU, like John Cena’s Peacemaker appearing on TV. Others are meant to be fun moments for fans, like Christopher Reeve’s son Will making a cameo. One blink-and-you-miss-it moment comes toward the film’s finale, as a few citizens of Metropolis are seen on a rooftop while the city is splitting apart.Some fans ofVideo Game High Schoolwere able to catch sight of none other than Jenny Matrix actress Johanna Braddy on the rooftop.
The quick cameo left many wondering whether it was actually Braddy, but the credits confirm the actress plays Metropolis Citizen #1. SinceVideo Game High Schoolended, Braddy has continued acting, with notable roles onQuanticoandChicago Med. While some may assume it was part of a cut-down role, it was a cameo, as Braddy’sappearance inSupermanstemsfrom deeper ties than most viewers may realize.
There’s More To Braddy’s Cameo ThanVGHSAndSupermanFans May Realize
The simple answer is that Braddy and director James Gunn are friends, but it goes a bit deeper than that.Braddy is married to Freddie Stroma, who DC fans may recognize from Gunn’sPeacemakerseries, where he plays Vigilante.Braddy and Gunn’s connection comes through Stroma, and they have all known each other for some time, leading to her appearance as Metropolis Citizen #1.
Stroma is set to return as Vigilante in thesecond season ofPeacemaker, which premieres in August, continuing to expand on Gunn’s DCU plans. While Braddy stopped by Metropolis for a quick cameo in Superman, she has a forthcoming horror film calledWhat She Doesn’t Know, costarring Denise Richards, which is said to be about a group terrorized by a killer.
Supermanlooks to continue dominating the box office, spreading its message of hope that continues to move audiences, with many already going back for repeat viewings. The smallEaster eggs and cameos that Gunntucked into the film make rewatches even better. Viewers get the chance to pick up on things they may have missed, or even things they heard about online, but never saw for themselves. If some missed Johanna Braddy’s quick appearance inSuperman,Video Game High Schoolfans can glimpse the actor on a rewatch.
