In the film’s finale, David Corenswet as Superman, raised in Smallville, expresses to his adversary Lex Luthor, played by Nicholas Hoult, that he shares human feelings such as love and fear. He admits to making mistakes every day but insists this is what it means to be human, and it’s his greatest asset. This conversation between Superman and Luthor occurs when Luthor reveals a message from Kal-El’s birth parents, Jor-El (Bradley Cooper) and Lara (Angela Sarafyan), that instruct the Last Son of Krypton to rule Earth.
Initially downcast by the message he received, Superman finds new hope following an emotional conversation with his adoptive father, Jonathan “Pa” Kent (played by Pruitt Taylor Vince), during a trip to Smallville. In a gentle reminder, Pa tells his son that it’s his choices and actions that shape who he truly is.
In an honest, backstage documentary titled “Adventures in the Creation of Superman“, accessible digitally from Aug. 15 (on DVD release as well), Gunn and Corenswet reminisce about a heated argument regarding the poignant “humanity” scene at the end of Superman.
According to Gunn in a behind-the-scenes feature, the success of our movie hinges on this speech. If the speech doesn’t hit the mark, we might face issues with the film’s conclusion. Fortunately, David delivers the speech brilliantly, and I breathe a sigh of relief. I asked him to deliver it even more powerfully, and he did, making it even better. I wanted another take, just as impactful as the first.
In my admiration, I must share an intriguing incident that occurred during our third take. Dressed in costume, Corenswet momentarily halted mid-sentence. As I recount this tale, let me express my deep affection for David – one of the most exceptional actors I’ve had the pleasure to collaborate with. He is truly a marvel, always questioning every aspect of his craft, which makes him even more captivating.
Corenswet, an actor who honed his skills at Juilliard, openly acknowledges that he might ruffle some feathers when he delves into discussions about the significance of words and punctuation in a piece of writing or dialogue.
Corenswet clarified, “What I require is clarity. I need to understand my objectives. So James is saying, ‘No, it’s not just logical, it’s emotional.'” The actor recalled a heated exchange in the video village with Gunn, where he asserted, “I think this isn’t delivering the intensity you desire; I should tone it down. I feel insufficient yelling at [Luthor].
In response, Gunn asserts through a microphone, “This moment represents your acceptance of personal vulnerabilities and emotional pain. By showing Superman’s audience that it’s alright to feel these emotions, you set yourself apart from other heroes. It’s wrong for figures like Lex Luthor to dictate that we should not feel this way or act accordingly.
Corenswet recounts, “I had asked, ‘Even though you want it to be emotional, I just don’t get why. Aren’t you feeling better now that you’ve heard about that crucial event with your adopted father earlier? Didn’t that help? Shouldn’t it have shielded you from this? Isn’t that the idea?’
In the video village, Gunn hears Corenswet’s voice discussing his thoughts. “Now I understand that Pa Kent gave me the essentials,” says Corenswet. “If Luthor calls me an alien, it doesn’t have the same effect as before, correct?” He continues. In response, Gunn replies, “I believe he’s not a universal solution. Pa Kent made you understand that you are who you are, and that’s what makes you human.
In the documentary, Gunn recounts that they were performing before everyone, and Corenswet began expressing doubts, saying something like, ‘I’m not sure I feel comfortable with this.’ The footage then shows Corenswet leaving the set to discuss with the director privately.
In an interview, Gunn stated that the actor came on and off-set, and they engaged in a discussion. According to the clip, Corenswet fiercely defended his character’s actions. He believed Superman was trying to show Luthor he was human by shouting his line, implying he was attempting to prove his humanity. Gunn listened carefully as Corenswet questioned if it was wrong for Superman to feel low about himself due to the message.
You seem to have hit the mark on the problem, don’t you? The thing is, Gunn clarifies, he didn’t mention it earlier but feeling bad in itself isn’t wrong. It’s your emotions, and having these feelings is perfectly acceptable. What’s important is acknowledging that it’s okay to feel vulnerable as a human being. To emphasize this point, Gunn suggests that to talk about the importance of vulnerability, you must show empathy towards Lex by revealing that your own feelings have been hurt.
After that, everything fell into place, and Corenswet’s portrayal of Superman returned to set and solidified its position. “James’ last words during our conversation were the key to understanding the character’s actions at that moment and my own actions as well,” Corenswet explained.
Looking back, all I can recall is my fist connecting with his chest,” Gunn chuckles now, mimicking, “‘You’re feeling this!'” Corenswet chips in, “I went for it, I delivered, and it was spot-on.” Seeing the scene that eventually graced the film’s final cut, Gunn can’t help but get emotional.
A moment ago, Gunn admitted to feeling emotional, expressing his belief that the essence of this movie lies in understanding why Superman inspires such deep affection. He suggests it’s not due to his superhuman abilities like punching planets or lifting skyscrapers. Instead, he believes it stems from Superman’s inherent goodness and his human-like qualities, despite being an alien. Gunn also appreciates that Superman can be hopeful and vulnerable, which were the focus of the scene.
According to Corenswet, all the credit for that sentence and keeping the conversation going belongs to James. He admits it wasn’t an easy task for him. Now, Gunn, who recognized his Superman from day one, clarifies there’s no anger or ego involved in this situation. Instead, Gunn explains, James is asking these questions because doing so improves things.
That night, David sent me a text, saying he’d had his best day ever working with a director on set – a sentiment that Gunn echoed. ‘I think I felt the same way,’ Gunn added.”
Regarding DC Studios’ Superman, it will be available for digital purchase on August 15th.
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2025-08-13 00:19