Nicknamed the “Jon Stewart of the Middle East,” Egyptian comedian Bassem Youssef stated this week that he feels he was cut from James Gunn and DC Studios’ “Superman: Legacy” because of his criticism of the Israeli government. However, it came to be known (via a source) that Youssed was never given the part, and the character in the issue wasn’t even in the screenplay when he made his first anti-Israel remarks. Gunn, who is in Atlanta getting ready for “Superman: Legacy,” concurred with the source’s account of what happened on Twitter/X.
Youssef gained notoriety back in October for comments he offered during an interview with Piers Morgan. “They said Israel is the only military force in the world that warns civilians before bombing them,” Youssef stated. “How fucking cute! That is so nice of them because with this logic, if Russian troops started warning Ukrainians before bombing their houses, we’re cool with Putin, right?” Youssef stated in an interview with Salon on Thursday that he thinks his comment caused him to be dismissed from “Superman: Legacy,” despite being informed that the apparent explanation was a script alteration.
“I was a little bit bitter about losing the role, and I was kind of very sad, like why, in the United States of America, you can talk about Joe Biden, and you can talk about Donald Trump, but you cannot criticize a foreign government? Which is kind of very sad,” Youssef said. Youssef stated that while he acknowledges the sentimental bond that people have with Israel, he still wants to “assume good faith.” Additionally, he stated that he would comprehend the fact that, as an Arab Muslim in charge of Warner Bros. Discovery, he would not want an actor who was a “pro-Zionist or a pro-Israel (actor) to be in my movie if he attacked my people.”
“I was a little bit bitter, and I wanted to go— I was like, ‘Oh, screw DC, screw Warner Bros.’ But then I understand, I understand the emotional burden that those people have. I mean, those people have a connection with Israel. I understand,” Youssef stated. A revised draft of “Superman: Legacy” was sent in soon after the writers’ strike concluded on September 27, eliminating the role Youssef was supposed to play before the Morgan interview and the October 7 Hamas assault. However, because the strike by actors didn’t conclude until much later—on November 9—the studio was unable to get in touch with Youssef regarding the modification.