Deadline revealed today that David Corenswet has been cast as D.C. films’ new Superman in James Gunn‘s Superman: Legacy. But beyond the requisite piercing blue eyes, exactly who is the 29-year-old Corenswet?
WHO IS HE?
Corenswet graduated from Julliard in 2018 and two years later landed a role on House of Cards. He then starred in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series The Politician, which ran from 2019–2020, and Hollywood (on which he was an EP). In 2022, he appeared in the Netflix’s Look Both Ways, the HBO miniseries We Own This City and A24’s Pearl.
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For Corenswet, Superman: Legacy will mark his first major leading role in a major studio film.
HOW DID HE GET THE JOB?
The Superman: Legacy casting process has gone on for months From the start of the auditioning process, Corenswet’s name has floated to the top of the list and, following a final audition in costume, he sealed the deal on the biggest role of his career so far.
DC Studios co-head (and Superman: Legacy writer/director) Gunn gave fans an update on the casting call just this past Monday.
“Amazing amazing weekend of auditions for Superman: Legacy,” the filmmaker shared on Bluesky social. “I’m blown away by some of these actors, among the best I’ve ever seen or worked with.”
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WHO ELSE AUDITIONED?
Gunn wanting a thorough search to find the new leads for this new franchise. Nicholas Hoult, Corenswet and Tom Brittney were expected to test for Clark Kent; and Emma Mackey, Rachel Brosnahan and Phoebe Dynevor testing for Lois Lane. The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Brosnahan was chosen to play Lane.
WILL HE LOOK THE PART?
As mentioned, Corenswet has the requisite blue eyes. He has an excellent widow’s peak and wavy, dark brown hair. He’s also listed at 6’4″, the same height as classic-era movie Man of Steel Christopher Reeves and three inches taller than fan favorite Henry Cavill. He’s also American born in Philadelphia, which may be welcome news to fans who have seen DC’s biggest roles go to Brits in the recent past.
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WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT ‘SUPERMAN: LEGACY’
The project was announced earlier this year when Gunn and Safran laid out their plan for the first phase of this revamped slate and Superman: Legacy was front and center as the project that would help launch the revamp. That presentation also included plans for a new Batman pic, Batman: The Brave and the Bold, which Andy Muschietti was recently tapped to direct; and The Authority. Gunn will now look to fill the shoes of Superman’s arch-nemesis Lex Luthor as well as other supporting characters like Kent’s friend Jimmy Olsen.
Superman: Legacy will kick off the DC Universe Gunn and Peter Safran are building that they are calling “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.” The film tells the story of Superman’s journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing as Clark Kent of Smallville, Kansas. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way, guided by human kindness in a world that sees kindness as old-fashioned.
WHEN WILL IT BE RELEASED?
Superman: Legacy is scheduled to be released on July 11, 2025.
WHAT ELSE DOES HE HAVE IN THE WORKS?
He has a part in the ensemble of the disaster-movie sequel Twisters opposite The film co-financed by Warner Bros. Pictures will be released by Universal on July 19, 2024. Corenswet most recently wrapped a lead role in the FX pilot The Answers from producers Darren Aronofsky, Danny Strong, Gillian Robespierre and Kit Steinkellner, as well as the Alma Har’el-helmed Apple TV+ limited series The Lady in the Lake opposite Natalie Portman. He will next be seen starring opposite Lucy Boynton in the Searchlight pic The Greatest Hits from writer-director Ned Benson.
Here’s promotional interview Corenswet did in 2019 for The Politician:
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