James Gunn Reveals the Moment He Knew David Corenswet Was His Superman

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2023 Summer saw the anticipation surrounding who would don the cape as Superman. In May, it was disclosed that actors David Corenswet (“Twisters”), Tom Brittney (“Grantchester”), Andrew Richardson (“The Independent”), and Nicholas Hoult (“Mad Max: Fury Road”) were being considered for the lead role in James Gunn’s directed “Superman: Legacy”. By June, it was revealed that Corenswet, Brittney, and Hoult had been screen-tested, with each actor paired as Clark Kent with potential Lois Lane counterparts. Emma Mackey (“Barbie”), Phoebe Dynevor (“Bridgerton”), and Rachel Brosnahan (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) were reportedly the respective Lois Lanes for each candidate.

Following a passionate argument scene between Clark Kent and Lois Lane from The Daily Planet (played by respective actors), Corenswet, Hoult, and Brittney progressed to the round of screen tests while dressed as Superman. A day after rumors that Gunn had reduced the candidate list, it was announced that Corenswet would take on the role of the new Superman, also known as the Man of Steel.

In a GQ feature article about the actor, titled “Can David Corenswet Take on the Role of Superman?”, Gunn shared that Corenswet was the top choice from the start. Known for his supporting roles in films like “Pearl” and TV shows such as “Hollywood” and “The Politician”, Gunn felt certain he’d found his Superman, even though over 400 actors were considered during the casting process.

Right from the start, he was the one to outdo, to put it bluntly,” Gunn stated. Brosnahan, who was cast as Lois simultaneously with Corenswet, was “most likely just the eighth actress I saw audition for Lois,” he continued. “You [might] think, Is this truly right? Can it be this straightforward?

As a devoted cinephile, I’ve always been transparent about my stance – “If I can’t get Superman on board, this film won’t see the light of day,” I declared from the get-go. That’s because I firmly believed that the man portraying Superman would be the cornerstone of this project.

Diving into the creative aspects, I refer to my upcoming Superman movie as a “tonally complex” production. It’s a unique blend of elements – drama, comedy, and action. However, it’s important to note that the drama and action might eclipse the comedy in many instances, giving the film a more profound and dynamic feel.

I needed to discover an actor capable of convincingly embodying the varying tones of a modest Daily Planet reporter, masking his superhero identity beneath a clumsy demeanor and spectacles that hypnotize; a sincere farm boy who was brought up humbly by adoptive parents in Smallville, Kansas; and the outwardly heroic figure donning goofy-looking red briefs to ensure even the bravest of souls are not intimidated by the planet’s mightiest inhabitant.

Gunn clarified that he can’t choose a person who doesn’t possess the necessary skills, regardless of their appearance. He explained that it’s not just about looks, but also about having the talent (the ‘chops’). However, even if someone has the talent, they need to have the right appearance as well. Lastly, a person with both talent and appearance might still not be a good fit if they can’t handle comedic parts or show vulnerability.

Corenswet has been compared to a blend of previous Superman actors, such as Christopher Reeve (from the original Superman movies), Tom Welling (Smallville), and Henry Cavill (Man of Steel). As Gunn pointed out, “In reality, many people don’t resemble Superman.” Apart from Corenswet, it seems like he could have jumped straight off the pages of Action Comics.

When Hoult initially went through the script, a subtle intuition arose within him that perhaps he might be better suited for the role of Lex Luthor, considering how the character was portrayed on paper and his own acting background. However, it wasn’t until he met David during the screen test that something extraordinary happened. David had found a sunny spot in the studio and was rejuvenating between readings, much like Superman absorbs energy from the sun. In that instant, there was an indescribable quality about encountering him… It’s as if he embodied the very image of Clark Kent and Superman you envision.

I found my Juilliard-honed costar to be otherworldly. His Old Hollywood demeanor perfectly aligns with this interpretation of Superman and Clark, making him even more fitting for the role. It’s his charm, his unique quirks – he embodies what he admires, that golden age of acting and musicals.

In my view, my Juilliard-trained costar possesses an otherworldly quality. His Old Hollywood persona resonates deeply with this portrayal of Superman and Clark, making him a perfect fit for the role. It’s his charisma, his distinctive idiosyncrasies – he is the embodiment of that silver screen era of acting and musicals.

Gunn imagined his Superman as a symbol of “honesty, fairness, and what it means to be human” in a world that views kindness as outdated. Interestingly, Corenswet added a classic touch to the ten-page scene where Lois interviews Superman, portraying Clark Kent instead of the caped Superman.

Corenswet shared that James found the humor in our first scene particularly surprising and meaningful to him. This resonated with me, reminding me of classic films like ‘Singin’ in the Rain,’ ‘His Girl Friday,’ and the Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies. It seemed he was envisioning a similar timing, wit, and style of humor, which turned out to be accurate.

The film titled Superman, featuring Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern (Guy Gardner), Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, and María Gabriela de Faría as the Engineer, is set to hit cinemas on July 11. The cast also includes Wendell Pierce as Perry White, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, Neva Howell as Ma Kent, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Pa Kent, and Frank Grillo as Rick Flag Sr.

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2025-07-08 02:40