The Unexpected Soundtrack: What Song Plays During Mr. Terrific's Epic Fight Scene In Superman (2025)?

The most talked-about action sequence outside of the Man of Steel's own heroics in the new 2025 Superman film features an unlikely hero: Mr. Terrific, played by Edi Gathegi. Fans were immediately captivated by the character's unique fighting style, utilizing his signature T-Spheres, but the truly surprising element was the upbeat, indie-folk track that scored the intense action. As of December 2025, the song has been officially confirmed, and its inclusion is a classic James Gunn move, contrasting high-stakes combat with an almost whimsical tune.

The song that provides the soundtrack for Michael Holt’s electrifying infiltration and fight scene—where he and Lois Lane attempt to break into a desert base, reportedly belonging to Lex Luthor’s LuthorCorp—is "5 Years Time" by the English folk-rock band Noah & The Whale. This choice is not just a catchy background beat; it’s a deliberate artistic decision that speaks volumes about the tone of the new DC Universe, blending serious superhero action with unexpected, optimistic musicality.

Who is Mister Terrific? The Man Behind the T-Spheres and the Actor Who Plays Him

The character of Mister Terrific, Michael Holt, is one of the most brilliant and morally complex heroes in the DC Comics pantheon. His cinematic debut in the 2025 Superman film introduces him to a wider audience, and the fight scene song perfectly encapsulates the character's quirky brilliance.

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Michael Holt / Mister Terrific (The Character) Biography

• Real Name: Michael Holt
• First Appearance: Spectre (Vol. 3) #54 (June 1997)
• Alias: Mister Terrific (the second character to use the mantle)
• Key Title: Often cited as the "third smartest man in the world" (after Lex Luthor and Batman)
• Origin: A self-made millionaire, Olympic gold medalist, and holder of 14 Ph.D.s. His superhero career began after the tragic death of his wife and unborn child, leading him to a suicidal state before being inspired by the legacy of the first Mister Terrific, Terry Sloane.
• Powers & Abilities: While he has no innate superpowers, his genius intellect is his greatest asset. He is a master martial artist and uses "T-Spheres"—highly advanced, highly versatile flying robotic devices that can project holograms, fire energy blasts, interface with technology, and render him invisible to electronic detection.
• Affiliations: Justice Society of America (JSA), Justice League, The Terrifics.

Edi Gathegi (The Actor) Profile

• Full Name: Edi Mue Gathegi
• Born: March 10, 1979, in Nairobi, Kenya
• Nationality: Kenyan-American
• Education: Studied at the Graduate Acting Program of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
• Notable Filmography:
  • Laurent in The Twilight Saga (2008–2009)
  • Darwin in X-Men: First Class (2011)
  • Cheese in Gone Baby Gone (2007)
  • Matias Solomon in The Blacklist and The Blacklist: Redemption (2015–2017)
  • Mr. Terrific in Superman (2025)
• Role Significance: Gathegi’s casting as Michael Holt is a major step for the DCU, bringing a key member of the Justice Society to the forefront of the new cinematic universe under James Gunn.

"5 Years Time": The Indie Anthem That Scored Michael Holt's Action

The choice of "5 Years Time" by Noah & The Whale is arguably one of the most memorable needle drops in the 2025 Superman movie, second only to the use of the classic John Williams theme. Its placement during a tense, high-tech fight sequence is a signature move by director James Gunn, who is famous for using unexpected, often retro, pop and rock tracks to score violent or emotional scenes, a technique perfected in the Guardians of the Galaxy films.

The Song’s Identity and Context

• Song Title: "5 Years Time"
• Artist: Noah & The Whale
• Album: Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down (2008)
• Genre: Indie Folk/Indie Pop
• Scene Context: The song is heard playing on a radio inside a vehicle or a nearby structure as Mr. Terrific and Lois Lane (Rachel Brosnahan) execute a covert mission. The track’s light, optimistic, and almost whimsical tone provides a sharp, energetic contrast to the serious nature of the infiltration and the subsequent fight, highlighting Mr. Terrific's calm, calculated, and—yes—terrific combat prowess.

The Hidden Meaning Behind the Musical Choice

While on the surface, the song is a fun, catchy tune, its lyrics—focusing on a bright, optimistic future—offer a subtle thematic connection to the DCU’s new direction. The core lyric, "In five years time, we could be walking 'round a zoo / With the sun shining down over me and you," is a simple, hopeful vision of future happiness and simplicity.

Contrasting the Dark: James Gunn has stated his intention to bring a more optimistic and hopeful tone back to the DC Universe. Placing a song about simple, long-term happiness over a scene of a hero taking down adversaries with advanced technology serves as a powerful thematic statement. It suggests that even in the midst of conflict and global threats (like those posed by Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor), the ultimate goal remains a peaceful, happy future worth fighting for.

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The "Punk Rock" Superman: Some critics have interpreted Gunn's use of a quirky indie song during a superhero action sequence as a way of asking, "Is Superman punk rock?" It’s a subversion of expectation—instead of a traditional orchestral score (which is still present, thanks to composers John Murphy and David Fleming, incorporating the classic John Williams theme), we get a track that feels grounded, unexpected, and utterly human. It grounds the god-like figure of David Corenswet’s Superman and his allies like Mr. Terrific in a relatable, modern world.

The New DCU’s Musical Landscape and Topical Authority

The inclusion of "5 Years Time" is a crucial piece of the puzzle in establishing the sound and feel of the new DC Universe (DCU). It confirms that the franchise will utilize licensed music in a way that’s both memorable and thematically relevant, much like the successful formula of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's cosmic corner.

The Justice Gang and the Soundtrack’s Significance

The fight scene featuring Edi Gathegi’s Mr. Terrific is significant because it is one of the first major action sequences to showcase a hero outside of Superman himself. The context of the scene—where Lois Lane seeks help from a group of heroes sometimes referred to by fans as the "Justice Gang" (which includes Nathan Fillion's Guy Gardner/Green Lantern and Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl)—establishes the broader world of the DCU.

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The soundtrack is a tool for characterization. For a hyper-intelligent, technologically advanced character like Michael Holt, a song that is surprisingly simple and joyful suggests a hidden depth or perhaps a yearning for the simple life he lost. His T-Spheres, which are integral to his fighting style, are a testament to his intellect, yet the music is a nod to his humanity.

LSI Keywords and Entities for Deep Dive

To fully appreciate the scene and the musical choice, it helps to understand the full context of the new DCU:

• Director: James Gunn
• Composers: John Murphy and David Fleming
• Core Cast: David Corenswet (Superman), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane), Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor)
• Other Heroes: Guy Gardner (Green Lantern), Hawkgirl, Metamorpho, The Engineer
• Key Technologies: T-Spheres (Mr. Terrific’s advanced tech), LuthorCorp facilities.
• Musical Precedent: The use of an upbeat indie track recalls Gunn's work on the Guardians of the Galaxy "Awesome Mix" tapes, setting a precedent for a DCU that is not afraid to be fun and musically vibrant.

Ultimately, the "superman mr terrific fight scene song," "5 Years Time," is more than just a piece of background music. It’s a mission statement for the new DCU: a blend of high-stakes heroics, brilliant character introductions, and a surprisingly optimistic, deeply human soundtrack. It ensures that the scene is not only thrilling to watch but also instantly memorable, leaving fans eager to see what other musical surprises James Gunn has in store.