Superman Star David Corenswet Details His Intense Diet and Workout

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Taking on the role of one of the comic book world’s mightiest superheroes, as well as launching a fresh cinematic universe, calls for a substantial amount of ambition and determination.

In such a way, Rachel Brosnahan (playing Superman), confessed during a pre-production breakfast with costar David Corenswet (portraying Clark Kent), that when they first sat down, she was taken aback by the enormous amount of food laid out for her character.

During my recent interview with TopMob News, accompanied by Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult before the upcoming film’s release on July 11th, I admitted to truly empathizing with those who have expressed a loss of appetite after bulking up. After consuming an overwhelming amount of food, such as four plates filled with eggs, I can genuinely understand why some people might feel that way.

The visual brought to mind another well-known pop culture villain for Hoult, who was chosen by director James Gunn to portray the famous antagonist Lex Luthor in the Man of Steel series.

Quipped Hoult, “Okay, Gaston.”

It’s quite true; there actually exists an individual who is just as large and strong as the arrogant brute from the tale of Beauty and the Beast.

Moreover, although Corenswet didn’t literally consume forty eggs, he acknowledged that he might attract some surprised glances when he indulged in his high-protein meals.

He said, “Cooking eight eggs is a breeze compared to ordering them at a restaurant,” but the 32-year-old downplayed his intense diet and exercise routine, calling it “nothing special.

He explained that he followed a simple routine consisting of lifting heavy items, consuming plenty of calories, and getting as much sleep as possible.

Two years back, upon being appointed co-CEO of DC Comics alongside Peter Safran, Gunn outlined his vision for the DC Universe. A Superman movie was planned as the starting point, aiming to establish a unified narrative framework encompassing both television and films.

After landing the role of Kal-El, the actor, known for appearing on Ryan Murphy’s shows like “The Politician” and “Hollywood,” as well as being part of the ensemble in “Twisters” (storm-chasers), had to focus on consuming enough energy to sustain a Kryptonian-scale franchise.

He emphasized that he consumed protein in every meal, approximately five times a day, totaling 250 grams daily. To bulk up as swiftly as possible yet reasonably, he also ensured an adequate amount of carbs and fats accompanied his meals, aiming for a weekly weight gain of about two pounds. He maintained this regimen for four months before reaching a weight of 238 pounds.

Corenswet jokingly added, “And then, collapsed in a heap and was never heard from again.”

In an interview with GQ magazine, Corenswet’s personal trainer, Paolo Mascitti – who was personally selected by Gunn after witnessing Mascitti transform The Suicide Squad’s Flula Borg – outlined the key elements of their comprehensive strategy for achieving a distinctive and iconic physique.

In simpler terms, Mascitti mentioned that we emphasize exercises such as presses, pull-ups, pull-downs, and rows – the main ones. After some time, we made slight adjustments, but always prioritized progressive overload to stimulate muscle growth. This means keeping tabs on the number of reps and the weight used, with the goal of increasing them a little bit each week.

Masiotti and Superman’s social media profiles shared images of a perspiring Corenswet after executing his strategy, an approach reminiscent of the down-to-earth hero from Metropolis, just as classic and timeless.

According to Mascitti, “This is simply what’s effective.” Many online trainers are seeking the newest technique, but it’s not about flashy maneuvers; instead, it’s about perfecting the exercise, emphasizing aspects such as a full range of motion, mastering the negative phase, stretching, and aiming to increase weight and reps.

In addition to his direct method, Corenswet prepared mentally with a calculated approach backstage, which contributed significantly to him gaining approximately 40 extra pounds of muscle.

In his conversation with Will Marfuggi at the July 7 premiere in L.A., he shared that he didn’t experience pressure, but rather felt a remarkable sense of duty. This was not because he felt overconfident, quite the contrary. He simply perceived it as a significant obligation for any actor – the privilege to portray a memorable character. To collaborate on an exceptional and demanding script under the guidance of an outstanding director who ultimately motivated him to strive for his best performance.

He isn’t the only famous figure who’s tried to achieve extraordinary physical power. Take a look at how other celebrities have spoken about their remarkable body makeovers.

Over the course of several years, the actor known for his role in “Magic Mike” has seen changes in his weight. Particularly in 2024, these fluctuations were more pronounced as he prepared for multiple film roles one after the other.

In an Instagram post dated March 2025, he revealed that at the time, he tipped the scales at 205 pounds, marking a significant increase from the 172 pounds he had weighed during the filming of Roofman (pictured to the right). Interestingly, prior to starting production on the 2024 movie Roofman, he had already filmed the movie Josephine (pictured to the left), for which he had bulked up to an impressive 235 pounds for his part.

To portray the Oscar-nominated character of Bob Dylan in “A Complete Unknown”, the actor mastered singing and playing the guitar. (Dune actor)

During an episode of NPR’s All Things Considered in January 2025, he stated, “I gained approximately 20 pounds, quite surprisingly, as I was slimmer than the other person.

In Christopher Nolan’s movie “Oppenheimer,” the Irish actor took on the role of J. Robert Oppenheimer and revealed that he needed to significantly reduce his weight for the part. He became quite thin, bordering on being emaciated, and lived mainly on martinis and cigarettes. According to his co-star Emily Blunt, his daily diet was limited to just a single almond due to the immense task he had at hand.

 

To discuss his transformation for the Joker role, the Academy Award-winning actor shared insights about his 52-pound weight loss with the Associated Press. He explained, “Once you hit the desired weight, everything feels different. It’s challenging to keep track of minor fluctuations like 0.3 pounds every day, which can lead to an unhealthy fixation.

Actor from Spider-Man surprised fans by showing off his impressive arm muscles during the Justice League film.

He earlier shared with TopMob News, “I’d put it as my mother was concerned,” following his 30-pound weight loss for the movie Nightcrawler. “She was more about me being cautious, but she also understood and still understands the dedication I bring to my work, and she appreciates that.

In the movie “Creed”, the actor who played Black Panther underwent an impressive muscle gain of almost 30 pounds, metamorphosing his character from a novice to a professional boxer.

The talented performer, who is also a musician, received an Oscar for his powerful portrayal in “The Dallas Buyers Club”. He shed 40 pounds to play this part.

The Mindy Project alum had to gain 40 pounds for his role in Live by Night.

In the initial and subsequent movies of the “Bridget Jones’s Diary” series, the actress playing Bridget Jones intentionally added weight to convincingly embody the charming character.

Channing Tatum, who played the muscular character in “Magic Mike,” shed approximately 30 pounds to take on the role in “The Dallas Buyer’s Club.” This film focused on a true story about a man diagnosed with AIDS in the 1980s, who resorted to unconventional treatments by acquiring remedies illegally from Mexico.

The actress looked lean and strong for her starring role in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.

The Les Misérables star took home an Oscar for her role in the musical.

He’s quite skilled at transforming himself for movie characters. In 2004, he shed over 60 pounds for the film The Machinist, and he repeated this feat for The Fighter, working alongside Mark Wahlberg. For American Hustle, he put on 40 pounds, while for Ford v Ferrari, he lost a staggering 70 pounds.

In the movie “Prince of Persia” from 2010, the actor took on a god-like appearance rather than a prince’s. To prepare for the role and build muscle, Jake Gyllenhaal learned Parkour, an agile movement technique originating in France.

In an interview with Time magazine about his role in the 2000 film Cast Away, the Oscar winner simply explained that success came down to dedication and time management, as he shed over 50 pounds to portray a survivor marooned on an isolated island.

The well-known rapper astonished fans by posting a picture showing his lean figure. It’s said that he dropped from 214 to 160 pounds within only nine weeks, to portray a cancer-stricken football player in the movie “Things Fall Apart.

Preparing for film characters isn’t a recent phenomenon. This renowned actor garnered an Academy Award nomination for his chilling portrayal of the tattooed rapist, Max Cady, in the 1991 thriller “Cape Fear”.

To accurately depict the former Vice President Dick Cheney in the 2018 movie “Vice”, the actor took on a more robust physique.

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2025-07-11 20:47