In the spirit of Clark Kent, the latest actor to dawn the iconic cape wishes to clear up some misunderstandings. Back in 2019, David Corenswet spoke with Entertainment Weekly, sharing his ultimate “pie in the sky ambition” of playing Superman. At that time, the role wasn’t available, and Corenswet, a Philadelphia native and Juilliard graduate, was beginning to carve out his place in the industry with standout performances in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series “The Politician” and “Hollywood.”
Tall, dark, and undeniably handsome, comparisons to Superman were frequent. During a recent interview, Corenswet confessed that he never truly believed he would actually embody the legendary character. However, a few years later, fate intervened, casting him as the lead in James Gunn’s reimagined “Superman.” This film, set to launch a promising era for the DC universe, arrives in theaters on July 11th. What began as a lighthearted comment about his aspirations was often misconstrued as him deeming it his “dream role,” as if he’d simply willed it into reality.
Corenswet, 31, clarified, “I said it was my pie in the sky ambition, which I meant to imply there was no chance it would ever happen,” referring to the opportunity as almost unimaginable. He mused about how captivating it would be to play such an iconic character in a world where it seemed unattainable.
At the time James Gunn was brainstorming his new Superman movie, he stumbled upon Ti West’s film “Pearl,” where Corenswet’s portrayal made an impression with his intriguing on-screen charisma. While he played a projectionist in the film who caught Pearl’s interest, Corenswet captured Gunn’s attention with his performance’s unique charm and humor.
Gunn recalled, “David was one of the very first auditions I received. Instantly, there was a relief because he had a playful charm about him, unlike what was evident in ‘Pearl’. It hinted that he might just be a great match.” The role process, while extensive, proved to be a fulfilling audition experience for Corenswet, allowing him to fully demonstrate his skills.
A chuckle escaped Gunn as he remarked on Corenswet’s similarities to Superman, noting his affinity for classic American Songbook tunes, making him endearingly square much like the hero himself.
Upon receiving the thrilling news of landing the role, the first person Corenswet shared it with was his wife, followed by his sister, though catching her on the golf course delayed her response. Her intuition had been correct, as they celebrated the “super good news.”
As part of the Superman tradition, testing an earlier incarnation’s costume was part of the selection protocol. Henry Cavill tried Christopher Reeve’s, and Corenswet tested Cavill’s, commending its intricate design. Yet, when he first donned his own costume, the moment felt rather practical rather than magical. The suit was still in development, not quite fitting perfectly as he had already begun bulking up for the role.
Reflecting on his evolution into the costume, Corenswet remarked on progressively growing into it as the design team tailored it over many weeks, eventually making it feel like home. The first time he sensed the suit’s influence was seeing the cast and crew’s reactions, where an ordinary presence immediately transformed into something remarkable.
Inhabiting the role of Superman involves balancing multiple personas: the private individual with his family, the mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent, and the superhero symbol. Corenswet focused on portraying the public-facing aspect that aims to exude calm and authority, seeking inspiration from the likes of All-Star Superman comics and the demeanor drawn from his soft-spoken brother-in-law.
Gunn describes this version of the film as a fresh, personal journey for Superman that explores his imperfections. The romantic subplot with Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane showcases an unusual reversal, with Superman being smitten and needing to convince Lois of their potential.
Beyond the action-packed sequences, the movie embraces witty, rom-com vibes reminiscent of classic films. Gunn’s on-set family atmosphere and collaborative spirit allowed the project to feel like an extended summer camp for Corenswet and the cast. Closing this chapter, they even enjoyed a light-hearted blooper reel on the last day of filming.
Looking ahead, Corenswet anticipates changes in his life post-release, albeit approaching with a down-to-earth mindset. As he charmingly concluded, “I expect some things will change when the film comes out, but you know, one still has to wake up and eat breakfast.”