David Corenswet, the new actor taking on Superman, openly discussed how the character’s values will be portrayed in James Gunn’s fresh take on the iconic hero during a recent interview. In the latest David Corenswet Superman values discussion, Corenswet revealed how his version of Clark Kent faces a unique internal conflict, stepping away from well-known slogans like “The American Way” and searching for something deeper.
New Direction for Superman’s Values on Screen
David Corenswet, who now plays the Man of Steel, spoke with CBS Sunday Morning about shaping Superman’s core beliefs in this new adaptation. Rather than embracing the time-honored phrase
“Truth, Justice, and the American Way,”
the film’s creative team, led by James Gunn, is steering clear of the slogan in both marketing and narrative. Instead, the focus is on broader ideals that apply universally.
When reflecting on a much-discussed scene featuring Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan, Corenswet explained:
“And so that scene, I think, is the crux of that character that we see. And the reality is that when he doesn’t have to be Superman, when he doesn’t have to be this calm, reassuring presence to the public, when he doesn’t have to symbolize safety and security and truth and justice and all those good things, he still feels those values.”
—David Corenswet, Actor
According to Corenswet, the evolution is meant to make Clark Kent more emotionally resonant. Rather than focusing on a specific patriotic motto, the film addresses “truth, justice, and good things,” a more open-ended ideal. Corenswet drew parallels between Superman and real-world heroes, offering insight into the pressures the character faces:
“But just like when a firefighter comes home, or a paramedic comes home, they might get frustrated, or they might panic about something – where in the course of doing their job, they would never let themselves panic or yell or raise their voice or convey that kind of instability or uncertainty,”
—David Corenswet, Actor
Examining the Human Side of Superman
Corenswet detailed how the new portrayal aims to reveal Superman’s vulnerabilities. The scene in question finds Clark Kent’s personal feelings surfacing during an interview with Lois Lane. Although Lois is technically recording, their dynamic becomes more personal and raw as Clark shows passion and even frustration.
“With Lois alone – even though they are technically recording (that’s part of the scene, that he keeps kind of forgetting that he’s on the record) – at this point it becomes just between him and Lois. You’re able to see not his anger at Lois, but his frustration with the perspective that she’s representing, and his passion about how certain he is that he’s doing the right thing.”
—David Corenswet, Actor
This shift highlights the relationship between Superman and Lois as more layered, breaking from clear-cut identities and exposing the hero’s less polished emotions. The comparison to first responders like firefighters and paramedics underlines Superman’s struggle in separating his heroic composure from personal vulnerabilities once out of the public eye.
Understanding Superman’s Multiple Identities
The discussion didn’t just end with contrasting Superman’s hero and civilian lives. Corenswet revealed a third facet to the character that only a handful of close confidants, like Lois Lane and his adoptive parents Ma and Pa Kent, truly see. This part of Superman’s identity is a genuine blend of Clark and Kal-El, neither fully masked by the cape nor the glasses.
“We haven’t figured out what to call him yet, whether it’s Kal or Clark, but rather than thinking about one – either Superman or Clark Kent – as the real one and the other as the alter ego (which you can go back and forth on), there’s a third, truer version of him, which is the version of him when he’s with somebody who knows that he’s both,”
—David Corenswet, Actor
This deeper side of the character is only revealed to those closest to him—Lois Lane, Ma Kent, and Pa Kent. Corenswet emphasized the significance of these relationships:
“So in our version, that’s Ma Kent, who knows that he’s Superman and knows that he’s Clark and grew up with him. You know, he grew up with them, and Lois Lane, who knows that he’s both of these characters, and she interacts with him as a journalist – as Superman – and she interacts with him as a colleague – as Clark Kent. And so she sees these characters, and she’s one of the only people who gets to see him when he’s not playing either character, and he’s a little bit of both,”
—David Corenswet, Actor
Reactions and Anticipation Surrounding Corenswet’s Superman
These comments provide insight into how the creative direction of the film, led by James Gunn, intends to broaden Superman’s appeal and add depth to his struggles. The new approach has sparked debate among fans and observers, with some questioning if a more emotionally exposed Superman may invite criticism or misinterpretation.
Corenswet’s portrayal aims to make Superman more relatable, but reactions have been mixed, as reflected by the reactions of fans, readers, and commentators. Some worry that steering away from the steadfast portrayal of “The American Way” could undermine certain aspects of the character’s traditional symbolism, while others see promise in a more humanized hero.
As anticipation grows for the full release, the film looks set to drive further conversation about how superheroes reflect evolving values, both in storytelling and in the wider DCU. The final impact of Corenswet’s Superman values discussion will likely become clearer as audiences experience this new take and see how these character shifts resonate.
