David Corenswet Soars as the New Superman in James Gunn’s DC Reboot
David Corenswet, a Juilliard graduate and Philadelphia native, has been cast as the new Superman in James Gunn’s upcoming film, set to premiere on July 11, 2025. Previously recognized for roles in Netflix’s “The Politician” and “Hollywood,” Corenswet caught Gunn’s attention through his performance in the film “Pearl.” The casting process was extensive, with actors like Nicholas Hoult also in the running, but Corenswet’s charm and sincerity ultimately secured him the role.
The film promises a fresh start for the DC cinematic universe, presenting Superman as a public figure navigating personal growth, imperfection, and romance—especially with Lois Lane, played by Rachel Brosnahan. Corenswet described the costume fitting process as transformative and noted the emotional impact it had on the crew during filming. As production wrapped, the cast shared a summer camp-like camaraderie. While Corenswet acknowledges the role’s potential to change his life, he remains grounded, focused on the journey rather than the fame.
In celebration of Superman Day on April 18, DC Studios released a behind-the-scenes video from the upcoming Superman movie directed by James Gunn. Known for his prior DC work on The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker, Gunn now brings his long-developing vision for Superman to fruition, describing the iconic hero as “noble” and “beautiful.” This film marks the first solo Superman movie in 12 years and will introduce a broader array of DC heroes working with David Corenswet’s Clark Kent. The video features cast members including Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, and Nathan Fillion praising Gunn’s direction. Fans get clearer looks at Isabela Merced’s Hawkgirl and Anthony Carrigan’s Metamorpho, the latter making his live-action debut. Other key characters include Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, Mr. Terrific, Guy Gardner, Jimmy Olsen, Krypto, and Perry White. The film is part of DC’s restructured cinematic universe, which began with the animated series Creature Commandos. Superman is slated to premiere in theaters on July 11, 2025.
James Gunn, director of the upcoming “Superman” film, has defended a new teaser trailer showcasing David Corenswet’s Superman flying through a tundra, which faced criticism for looking “goofy” and “cheap.” Several fans and critics on social media platforms pointed out that Corenswet’s face appeared unrealistic, likening it to poor CGI or AI face swaps. Gunn responded by clarifying that there was no CGI in Corenswet’s face and attributing the appearance to the use of a wide-angle lens. Despite backlash, Gunn assured that the background scenery and Corenswet’s performance were genuine. This film, initially titled “‘Superman: Legacy,” marks Gunn’s first venture into the new DC Universe, with its release slated for July 2025. The director, who co-chairs DC Studios with Peter Safran, aims to create a cohesive yet artistically diverse universe of films. The movie stars David Corenswet as Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, among others. Gunn is also working on “Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow,” set for release in July 2026. Filming for “Supergirl,” starring Milly Alcock, recently commenced.
The summer 2025 movie season is poised for a major resurgence, driven by the return of superhero blockbusters and high-profile franchise reboots. Leading the charge is the reintroduction of Superman on July 11 under James Gunn’s direction, ushering in a unified DC universe with a fresh take on Clark Kent, portrayed by David Corenswet. Marvel Studios also makes a strong comeback with “Thunderbolts” and “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” the latter set in a retro 1960s New York. These releases mark a significant effort to reinvigorate the film industry, still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and labor strikes. The season also includes major titles like “Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning,” “Jurassic World Rebirth,” and “F1,” alongside a diverse slate of family, horror, drama, and comedy films. Analysts predict 2025 could rival pre-pandemic box office records, with the potential to exceed $4 billion. Filmmakers express optimism, seeing this summer as a turning point to regain cinematic momentum and reconnect audiences with the magic of blockbuster entertainment.
David Corenswet, having been cast as the new Superman in “Superman: Legacy,” underwent an intensive fitness regimen to prepare for the role, guided by LA-based trainer Paolo Mascitti. Known for his work with various actors including Tom Ellis, Mascitti crafted a tailored program emphasizing progressive overload through compound movements including presses, pull-ups, pull-downs, and rows. Corenswet, naturally lean at 6’4″, bulked up from 200lbs to 240lbs, while aiming to tone down before production began. His rigorous training involved two-hour sessions, three to four times weekly. Co-star Nicholas Hoult, cast as Lex Luthor, implemented his own fitness regime, bringing spirited competition to the set. Hoult, an experienced fitness enthusiast, also worked diligently to match Corenswet’s impressive transformation. Mascitti’s well-rounded approach, focusing equally on strength, range of motion, and resilience, offers a model workout for gaining mass or maintaining shape. Highlights include a mix of incline presses, bench/cable fly supersets, shoulder presses, and leg routines ensuring a solid build without relying on gimmicky exercises.
