James Gunn Gave ‘Big Brother 28’ Star Rick Devens a Cameo in ‘Man of Tomorrow’ but He ‘Had to Cancel’

James Gunn planned to feature Rick Devens, the reality television personality competing on "Big Brother" Season 28, in a cameo role for the upcoming DC film "Man of Tomorrow." The "Big Brother" star publicly thanked Gunn during Thursday's live eviction episode, prompting the DC Studios co-head to reveal the scrapped appearance on social media.

Scheduling conflicts ultimately derailed the cameo. Devens' filming commitments with the CBS reality competition prevented him from participating in the Superman film. Gunn confirmed the cancellation publicly, acknowledging that despite the initial plan, production demands made the appearance impossible.

The moment illustrates how reality television creates genuine scheduling constraints for participants. "Big Brother" contestants operate under strict production schedules that leave minimal flexibility for outside projects. Even brief cameos require coordination across multiple productions, equipment setups, and crew availability.

Gunn, who has built a filmography around unexpected casting choices and ensemble cameos, often incorporates pop culture figures into his projects. His approach to the DC Universe reboot emphasizes building connection with audiences through surprising appearances and nods to broader entertainment culture. The planned Devens cameo fit this pattern.

The exchange highlights the intersection of streaming-era reality television and major studio filmmaking. Both operate on compressed schedules and high-stakes productions where every day of filming carries significant costs. While Gunn's offer reflected genuine interest in cross-pollinating entertainment worlds, the practical realities of production timelines proved incompatible.

Devens remains in active competition on "Big Brother" Season 28, where eliminations happen weekly and participants must maintain constant on-set presence. This inflexibility stands in direct contrast to traditional narrative filmmaking, where actors often work in concentrated blocks before moving to other projects.

The missed opportunity demonstrates how tightly controlled reality television production remains, even as it intersects with major entertainment industry figures.