David Corenswet, who stars as Superman in the 2025 film, disclosed during a recent Vanity Fair lie detector test that he suffered a noteworthy bruise on his groin while performing a flying stunt. The incident occurred during filming of a harnessed flying sequence and was captured on camera, making it impossible for him to hide what happened.
The On-Set Incident and Its Impact
Corenswet described the moment in detail to his co-star Nicholas Hoult, who plays Lex Luthor. He recalled that during the first take of an intense scene—where Superman punches through a glass window and soars through the air—he sustained the bruise on his right testicle. This injury happened as he was pulled through the air while harnessed, causing immediate pain that was recorded on film.
There is footage from filming, where — have you seen it? Of me getting pulled through the air,
Corenswet said.
It’s this wonderful epic moment, it’s in the trailer, the beginning of it, where I stand up and punch the glass out and I leap out the window and fly through the air, and on the first take of that, it’s this big epic punch and a leap through the air and then it’s, ‘My testicle!’
Since the footage exists, Corenswet said he couldn’t lie about the painful mishap. Nicholas Hoult humorously responded to the story, joking about the unusual topic of their conversation.
I want to ask you more questions about your testicles, but I don’t know where to go that’s appropriate.
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
About the 2025 Superman Film and Corenswet’s Role
The film starring David Corenswet as Superman was released in theaters on July 11, 2025. It includes a notable ensemble cast with Rachel Brosnahan, Edi Gathegi, Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, and Isabela Merced. The story centers on Clark Kent’s mission to convince the world that he is its protector amid Lex Luthor’s efforts to corrupt Superman’s public image.
Corenswet has expressed the unique challenge and honor of stepping into the role once famously played by Christopher Reeve in 1978. He acknowledges the historical significance of the character and the high expectations that come with portraying Superman in a modern context.
I don’t think there’s any way or reason to try to sort of live up to Christopher Reeve,
Corenswet said in a CBS News interview.
I just feel grateful to get to play that character that he embodied and put into the public consciousness in such a positive and strong way.
The actor is aware that this role is pivotal and could shape the trajectory of his career, describing it as a defining moment in his professional life.
When you take a role that’s gonna be this visible and this iconic, even just visually iconic, and it’s your face and the underwear, yeah, I wanted to be prepared for the possibility that it wouldn’t lead to a bunch of other things, that this would be the thing,
Corenswet shared with Us Weekly.
And I felt really lucky that when I asked myself that question, the answer came back, ‘Somebody’s gotta play this part, and if you’re the person to play it and you give up everything else to do it, it could be worth doing.’
Personal Milestones Amidst Career Highlights
Corenswet’s casting as Superman coincided with significant personal news: his wife, Julia Best Warner, discovered she was pregnant with their first child shortly after he was invited to a screen test for the role. The couple kept the pregnancy private for the initial months, balancing two momentous announcements privately.
She told me that she was pregnant two days after I found out I was going to screen test for Superman,
Corenswet told People magazine.
For the first several months of her pregnancy, as is sort of protocol, we weren’t telling anybody. We had these two quite huge secrets that we just had between the two of us. And that was intense.
Looking Ahead for David Corenswet and Superman’s Legacy
David Corenswet’s experience filming the flying stunts and his candid sharing of the injury highlight both the physical demands and unexpected challenges actors face when bringing iconic characters like Superman to life. As the film has now reached audiences, it will shape perceptions of Superman’s legacy while also marking a major milestone in Corenswet’s career.
With a strong supporting cast and a story that focuses on trust and heroism amid public doubt, this latest portrayal aims to offer a fresh take on the enduring superhero. For Corenswet, the role represents a defining chapter that balances legacy, personal growth, and the pressures of an iconic character. Audiences and critics alike will be watching to see how this new Superman resonates and whether it sets the stage for future installments.
