DC's 'Superman' opens Friday — find out more about the New Mexico actor who landed a part

Lawrence Gilligan grew up in awe of comic books and superheroes.

It’s a part of his life that hasn’t changed too much.

When the University of New Mexico and Rio Rancho High School alum got the call for a project to play a reporter, he jumped at the chance.

Gilligan is familiar with TV reporting, and he’s had stints in Albuquerque and Charlotte, North Carolina.

“I’ve had a few roles where I end up being a reporter and it’s familiar to me,” Gilligan says.

But this role was different.

It was a highly coveted spot in an upcoming James Gunn project.

After a few auditions and months of waiting, he booked it.

“I beat out 1,000 people,” he says. “It goes to show you that working hard and staying focused is half the battle. I lucked out. I shot the audition back in November and didn’t get the decision until February.”

The project Gilligan booked is “Superman,” which hits theaters on Friday, July 11.

Clark Kent/Superman will be played by David Corenswet as he fights to stop Lex Luthor’s evil plans and to restore his own tarnished reputation.

According to DC Comics, the Man of Steel “will reconcile his alien Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing.”

Gilligan says with projects this big, it’s a long process.

“You don’t know what your actual part is until you watch it,” he says. “I did get a note from DC saying that I made it.”

When the series of trailers came out to promote the film, there was Gilligan on the Jumbotron reading the news.

“It means the world to me,” Gilligan says. “To be a part of something so iconic is special. My 2-year-old daughter can go back as she gets older and see her old man in the film.”

In a case of mistaken identity, Gilligan’s scene in the trailer sparked rumors that Will Reeve, the son of original Superman Christopher Reeve, had a cameo in the film.

On May 16, the “Good Morning America” correspondent was at the helm of the “Pop News” segment and addressed the rumors.

“The internet has taken this still and said that it was me,” Reeve says during the segment. “I just wanted to point out that I do have a cameo in the film, and I don’t know what it is or where it is. I don’t even know what the film is about, but that (reporter) is not me.”

The still of the reporter is Gilligan.

“It was insane to me that I was part of this conversation,” he says with a laugh. “I’m an actor trying to build up my career as well. This has sent me into another dimension.”

Because of the privacy behind the entire project, Gilligan says he doesn’t know who else is on the project and was only privy to what his role consisted of.

“James Gunn was so incredible to work with and engages with you on social media,” he says. “I’m a low guy on the totem pole and he treats you just as nice.”

Though “Superman” is a dream job for Gilligan, it wasn’t the first time he worked on a Gunn project.

Last year, Gilligan was hired for his first voice over role in the animated superhero TV series “Creature Commandos.”

The series was created by Gunn for HBO Max and is based on the eponymous team from DC Comics and focuses on a black ops team of monsters assembled by Amanda Waller. All seven episodes of the first season were written by Gunn, with Dean Lorey serving as showrunner and Yves “Balak” Bigerel as supervising director.

Gilligan has to laugh when he thinks about the role.

“Once again, it’s a reporter,” he says. “I take in every experience and it helps me grow as I rise through the ranks in the industry.”