During the filming of the latest Superman movie in the Norwegian archipelago of Svalbard, actor David Corenswet took on nearly all of his own stunt scenes, pushing boundaries in the icy conditions. His stunt double, Eddie Davenport, witnessed firsthand how Corenswet embraced the demanding physical challenges, especially for crucial sequences where the actor portrayed both Superman and his clone Ultraman.
Davenport described how Corenswet often rehearsed stunts only briefly before flawlessly executing them, highlighting his confidence and skill. This willingness to perform complex stunts contrasts with many actors who rely heavily on doubles for dangerous shots.
The Unique Dual Role Demanding Precise Coordination
Corenswet’s task was doubled, as he portrayed both Superman and Ultraman, Lex Luthor’s cloned version of the hero. This dual role required intricate choreography between Corenswet and Davenport: one would perform as Superman, while the other took on Ultraman for fight scenes and complex interactions. They would then swap roles and repeat the scenes, ensuring consistency for visual effects integration.
Davenport explained,
“So when Superman’s on screen, like when he’s getting arrested, David couldn’t be in the Ultraman costume, so that would be me arresting him and walking him away and throwing him into the portal on the beach and all of that stuff, but especially then when the helmets wore off and we had to do [fight] sequences.”
—Eddie Davenport, Stunt Double
This demanding approach meant both men had to be highly synchronized. The pair studied playback footage repeatedly to match each other’s movements perfectly, allowing post-production to seamlessly merge their performances into one character on screen.
Behind the Scenes of the Stunt Work and Filming Process
Davenport revealed that the filming process resembled playing a complex video game like Just Dance, where every move is carefully replicated. He recalled,
“There was some [moments] where you’d watch playback and you can see the live shot, and they overlay the other shot on there – so it was me doing it, but you could see the ghost of David as Superman, and how close I was to matching it.”
—Eddie Davenport, Stunt Double
One standout action sequence took place in a sewer, featuring an intense battle where Davenport and Corenswet alternated roles multiple times during filming. Corenswet performed most of the physically demanding stunts himself, including fight choreography and dramatically smashing into a sewer grate.
“David did that entire stunt sequence – smashing into the grate, and then the fight on the grate, and then tackling me out of screen. David did it all, and he did both sides. It was super awesome to just be able to [perform with him] because normally, when you get into the heavy lifting, so to speak, you’re doing the fight with the doubles…”
—Eddie Davenport, Stunt Double
Davenport noted that it was unusual for Corenswet to pass off difficult stunts, emphasizing the actor’s dedication and skill at handling both lead characters’ physical demands.
Portraying Contrasting Characters in Opposite Roles
The challenge of playing Superman and Ultraman extended beyond stunt work to embodying two very different characters with distinct mentalities and reactions. Davenport explained how Corenswet mastered learning the reverse choreography as Ultraman compared to Superman, showcasing his versatility.
“The reactions are different, the whole mentality of that character is completely different. So it was really cool to to stand across and watch him as Superman and then get to see him the next day, when he’s a completely different character. That was definitely the coolest part of it.”
—Eddie Davenport, Stunt Double
This duality made the fight and stand-off scenes exceptionally dynamic, with Davenport serving as the opposing character when Corenswet wasn’t in that role, doubling the intensity of their performances.
The Iconic Arrest Scene: A Mystery Revealed
One of the most talked-about sequences prior to the film’s release was the arrest of Superman by a mysterious masked figure later revealed to be Ultraman. Davenport stood in for Ultraman in this pivotal moment, which sparked significant social media debate about the masked man’s identity.
“It was like, ‘Who is it? Who’s it going to be?’ [Some people] were like, ‘Oh, it’s Henry Cavill!’. There was so much speculation on who it was. And I’m like, ‘Yeah, that’s me.’ I thought that was hilarious. So, yeah, when you see Ultraman arresting Superman, that’s actually, that’s actually me as Ultraman.”
—Eddie Davenport, Stunt Double
This scene added a layer of intrigue while showcasing the collaborative stunt work between Davenport and Corenswet in doubling each other’s roles seamlessly.
Shaping Superman’s Physicality: From Concept to Costume
Physique was a key consideration during production, with Corenswet gaining around 40 pounds to achieve the look envisioned for this iteration of Superman. Rather than the traditional Hollywood superhero build, he aimed for a dense, linebacker-like strength to reflect the character’s farm upbringing.
Davenport recalled conversations about this vision:
“So he did want that size and that physique, but he also just needs to be a bigger human, kind of more like the animated series.”
—Eddie Davenport, Stunt Double
This approach influenced costume design and fight choreography, with director James Gunn encouraging the stunt team to draw inspiration from the animated Superman, aligning with the film’s fresh take on the iconic hero.
The Filming Atmosphere and Its Impact on the Cast and Crew
The atmosphere on set was charged with purpose and excitement as the team understood the weight of bringing a new Superman era to life. Davenport spoke about the positive vibe and confidence among cast and crew, which translated into the film’s production quality.
“It was definitely one of those things where we knew, like, a lot’s riding on this. But the whole vibe on set, I don’t think that there was much doubt in terms of what they were doing. Everything that they were doing just just felt right.”
—Eddie Davenport, Stunt Double
This confidence was reflected in audience reactions, with Davenport observing that viewers discussed the film’s details and execution enthusiastically after leaving theaters, a departure from typical critical conversations around superhero movies.
“And seeing the little kids run around with all their Superman stuff on, and the dads are dressing up as Superman with their kids. This is why it’s special. This is why it’s important.”
—Eddie Davenport, Stunt Double
The Significance of Corenswet’s Involvement in Superman’s New Chapter
David Corenswet’s involvement, marked by his willingness to undertake nearly all of his stunt scenes and portray two complex characters, adds a remarkable layer to this rebooted Man of Steel story. His physical and mental preparation brought authenticity and dynamism to the film, pushing the boundaries of actor involvement in superhero productions.
With Superman now in cinemas, audiences are experiencing a fresh and intense take on the classic hero, fueled by Corenswet’s immersive performance and the meticulous stunt work shared with Eddie Davenport. This dedication to craft not only enriches the spectacle on screen but also sets a new standard for superhero storytelling.
