In the summer of 2023, the search for the new Superman was in full swing, centered around James Gunn’s upcoming film Superman: Legacy. By May, several actors were shortlisted for the lead role, including David Corenswet, Tom Brittney, Andrew Richardson, and Nicholas Hoult, with Corenswet and Hoult emerging as frontrunners. Gunn conducted screen tests in June, matching the selected Clark Kent contenders with prospective Lois Lanes Emma Mackey, Phoebe Dynevor, and Rachel Brosnahan to assess chemistry and performance.
From Screen Tests to the Final Choice: Corenswet Triumphs
During the screen tests, these pairs filmed a compelling scene depicting a heated exchange between the Daily Planet’s Clark Kent and Lois Lane. The three Clark Kent candidates—Corenswet, Hoult, and Brittney—then took the next step by performing in full Superman costume for further evaluation. Shortly after reports narrowed down the contenders, James Gunn revealed that David Corenswet had been selected as the new Man of Steel.
In a revealing profile with GQ titled “Can David Corenswet Save Superman?,” Gunn expressed that Corenswet was his top choice from the outset, despite having auditioned around 400 actors. This immediate conviction lingered throughout the meticulous search.
Gunn’s Unwavering Vision of His Superman
From the very beginning, he was the guy to beat, frankly,
Gunn stated. He also reflected on the casting of Lois Lane, saying,
probably [only] the eighth Lois I saw read,
followed by the question,
You [think], God, is this really right? Can it be this easy?
This transparent surprise highlighted how quickly Gunn connected with Corenswet’s portrayal.
Gunn underscored his commitment to the project’s success by revealing,
I said from the beginning, If I don’t find Superman, I’m not going to do this movie. Because I knew that this was dependent on the guy that’s playing Superman.
Known for directing the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and The Suicide Squad, Gunn elaborated on his film’s tone as tonally complex, designed to balance
drama, comedy, and action — although I do think that some of the drama and action probably supersedes the comedy in a lot of ways.
Searching for the Right Blend of Appearance and Depth
This layered portrayal of Superman required an actor not only to embody Clark Kent’s mild-mannered persona, including his bumbling reporting style and signature hypno glasses, but also to convincingly portray the humble farm boy from Smallville, Kansas, and the iconic superhero who wears bright red trunks beloved by children around the world.
Gunn explained the challenge in these casting criteria:
I couldn’t go for someone that didn’t work,
he said.
I couldn’t go for someone that had the look, but didn’t have the chops. I couldn’t go for someone that had the chops but didn’t have the look. I couldn’t go for someone that had the looks and the chops, but couldn’t do the comedic parts, or couldn’t do the more vulnerable aspects.
David Corenswet’s Unique Qualities as Superman
Corenswet’s look has been compared to a mix of previous successful Superman actors such as Christopher Reeve, Tom Welling, and Henry Cavill. Gunn noted the rarity of an actor who truly resembles the comic book version, remarking,
Actually, a lot of people do not look like Superman.
Corenswet’s strong visual alignment made him stand out as someone who could seem to have stepped out of the pages of Action Comics.
Nicholas Hoult, who was cast as Superman’s adversary Lex Luthor in the film, shared his initial impressions of Corenswet:
When I first read the script, I had a slight instinctive feeling that maybe I’m more suited to Lex in terms of what this character is on the page and what I’d been doing acting-wise,
Hoult said.
But when I first met David at the screen test, he’d found a patch of sun in the studio and was relaxing in between readings, almost charging up like Superman does from the sun’s power, and there was something about meeting him in that moment…. I mean, he obviously looks exactly like you imagine Clark Kent and Superman to look.
Hoult praised Corenswet’s charisma and style as otherworldly, explaining,
He’s got this Old Hollywood persona which makes him feel even more relevant and timely to this version of Superman and Clark. It’s his charisma, his idiosyncrasies. He is what he idolizes, that silver screen era of acting and musicals.
The Character James Gunn Envisioned
Gunn designed his Superman to represent
truth, justice, and the human way
in a contemporary world that often views kindness as outdated. Corenswet’s performance in a key 10-page scene where Lois Lane interviews Clark Kent—not the cape-wearing superhero but the man beneath the suit—captured the old-fashioned charm Gunn sought to evoke.
Corenswet reflected on the humor he introduced to the character, saying,
James has told me that the one thing that surprised him, that meant something to him initially, was the humor that I brought to that first scene,
and added,
I immediately read it in the terms of the movies that I grew up on, which are Singin’ in the Rain and His Girl Friday, and the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies. Just the timing and the patter and the style of humor — and it turned out that that was what he was imagining.
Supporting Cast and Anticipated Release
Superman: Legacy features a robust supporting cast, including Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion playing Guy Gardner Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Anthony Carrigan in the role of Metamorpho, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, and María Gabriela de Faría cast as the Engineer. Additional key players include Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Sean Gunn portraying Maxwell Lord, Neva Howell and Pruitt Taylor Vince as Ma and Pa Kent, respectively, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.
The film is scheduled to reach theaters on July 11, marking a fresh take on one of DC’s most iconic heroes with a casting decision that reflects James Gunn’s precise vision and commitment to the role.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Does James Gunn believe in God?
A. Director James Gunn credits his belief in God for his achievements but believes that God does not directly influence his success. Gunn, who is set to direct a new Superman film, has openly shared how his faith played a significant role in his journey. While he acknowledges his spiritual beliefs, he maintains that his accomplishments are not a direct result of divine intervention.
Q. Why did James Gunn leave the MCU?
A. Alan Horn, who leads The Walt Disney Studios, announced that James’ inappropriate comments on Twitter go against the company’s values, so they ended their partnership with him.
Q. What religion is James Gunn?
A. Gunn grew up in a Catholic family and has stated that prayer remains significant to him. However, he has also described himself as being “somewhat against religion.”
Q. Why is James Gunn leaving MCU?
A. When Gunn took on the role of co-CEO at DC Studios, he became committed only to that company, leaving behind any work with Marvel Studios. People know that as the writer and director of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, he built strong relationships with the actors involved.
