Movies

You Won’t Believe Who’s Playing Superman Now

BBG News

David Corenswet, the latest incarnation of Superman, doesn’t dwell in Metropolis; instead, he resides in a suburb near Philadelphia. He’s conveniently situated close to the downtown train station, asserting that his journey to Manhattan is quicker than when he was an aspiring actor living in Brooklyn. Our encounter takes place at a typical diner where syrup and hot sauce are always readily available. This cozy main street leads, predictably, to a Wawa convenience store at its end.

Living in an unconventional residence, Corenswet, aged 31, is on the verge of a significant career milestone. He’ll star as Superman in the upcoming movie set to release on July 11, joining the long line of adaptations featuring the most renowned superhero globally. Instead of staying close to the bustling cities like New York or L.A., he chose Pennsylvania to be near his family, where he now resides with his actor wife and their 1-year-old daughter. With film production often taking place in Toronto, Atlanta, London, or other locations, he no longer feels the allure of those metropolises. He asserts that actors can maintain a successful career as long as they have a suitable setup for self-taping auditions.

It’s hard to miss him as he strides in, reminiscent of Superman. Standing tall with a lock of hair casually resting on his forehead, Corenswet is dressed in a blue sweater and leather jacket, complete with sunglasses tucked into the collar. Unlike other celebrities I’ve interviewed, he didn’t ask for a secluded spot; instead, he politely requested a seat by the window.

He exhibits an endearing level of anxiety, fiddling with his fingernails as he confides that during his time at Juilliard, he engaged in intellectual debates with his instructors. “Some educators would remark that I was challenging because I appreciate a good dispute,” he explains, emphasizing that it wasn’t due to obstinacy. “I’m content to be mistaken. I simply want to be convinced.” Despite being advised that he was ‘too intellectual’ and ‘too analytical’ for Hollywood, he was drawn into the world created by Ryan Murphy, appearing in the 2019 series The Politician and in 2020’s Hollywood. Before the filming of his latest movie ended, director James Gunn contacted Corenswet to inform him that he had been selected for the role as Superman.

Stepping into the world of superhero films may not provide the promising career path it once did, given the current challenges facing the genre. Warner Bros., for instance, has pinned its hopes on Gunn’s revamp of Superman, but there’s speculation that this role might become a lasting part of Corenswet’s acting career. Actors like Chris Evans and Hugh Jackman are grappling with the decision to continue donning their iconic superhero costumes. Corenswet acknowledges that playing Superman could dominate his IMDb profile, his Wikipedia entry, even his obituary. “Is it worth taking on if this is all I’ll be known for as an actor?” he ponders, while adding milk to his coffee. “I believe the answer is yes.

Superman is often criticized for being uninteresting due to his lack of significant inner struggles compared to characters like Batman and Spider-Man. Despite having loving adoptive parents, a smart and attractive partner, and extraordinary combat abilities, he appears too perfect and invincible. However, as author Grant Morrison points out, even the most virtuous individuals cannot prevent everyone from dying, making Superman’s struggles just as important as those of any other hero.

Not long ago, Warner Bros. appointed Gunn and Peter Safran as co-chairs and co-CEOs for their new DC Studios. Their goal was to kick off a series of movies, starting with Superman. Gunn, famous for writing and directing the oddly successful Marvel trilogy of Guardians of the Galaxy, came on board with plans to largely move away from the serious tone of the previous DC films by Christopher Nolan and Zack Snyder. He envisioned the main characters as more light-hearted and optimistic. The success of this new direction will decide the course for future DC movies.

In a message, Gunn presented Corenswet with a role under a specific term: treating everyone with kindness and respect, similar to how Chris Pratt and John Cena had conducted themselves. This was not open for discussion, as Gunn mentioned, “This isn’t something that would be different with David.” He further added, “David is like Superman, even in his geekiness. He listens to old jazz standards. Just like Superman, he’s a humble man amidst complex times.

Unlike Chris Pratt’s goofy charm on “Parks and Recreation” or John Cena’s knack for over-the-top humor, I lean more towards a serious demeanor, fitting for my Boy Scout superhero role. I find myself curious if this self-seriousness extends to interactions with directors on high-budget productions, where there are complexities like choreographing flying actors, creating a CGI monster, and filming in the Arctic Circle. I assumed these grand-scale projects would hinder meaningful conversations, but surprisingly, it was the opposite.

The director attributes David’s persistence in asking numerous questions about every small detail as the reason for their frustration. However, they admit that these moments of frustration turned into some of their favorites because they noticed how David would transform those questions into something extraordinary in his acting performance.

Corenswet’s hands are tough from spending so much time in a harness, with him estimating that at least half of his shooting days were spent engaged in midair combat or fleeing. It’s unclear who he was fighting up there. Interestingly, both Corenswet and I find ourselves talking about a film neither of us has watched yet. Gunn is still finalizing the editing process. When I quip that Lex Luthor, the wealthy adversary of Superman portrayed by Nicholas Hoult, undoubtedly isn’t airborne, Corenswet raises his eyebrows and shrugs nonchalantly.

Gunn offers some insight into the complex emotions of this superhero-turned-journalist. According to him, this individual is finding success in two demanding professions in a bustling metropolis, far from home. He’s deeply in love with a woman who seems uncertain about their relationship. Additionally, he has formed friendships with powerful allies who appreciate him but view him as somewhat naive. These recent changes have thrown his life off-balance. We will observe how these developments affect his values and decisions in the coming events.

Speaking about that woman: According to Gunn, there was an undeniable spark between Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan from the very first day on set. To be more precise, during days one and two when they filmed a 12-minute interview scene, which accounted for about 10% of the entire movie in just two days. Witnessing the electric energy and magical chemistry between them was truly amazing, not to mention how well-prepared they both were. It was a great relief indeed.

As a cinema enthusiast, I can share that Trevor Corenswet gave me some scoop on Krypto, Superman’s furry, caped canine, who made his grand entrance with a warmer, fluffier DC vibe. A dog named Jolene took the role of the superpet on set, always showing up with Dolly Parton’s famous tune playing in the background. However, most of Krypto will be computer-generated imagery (CGI) in the final product – the trailer shows Krypto tugging Superman across a frozen tundra, something that even sweet Jolene couldn’t manage. Unfortunately, when I asked for more details about the plot, Corenswet admitted he had no clue what would make it to the final cut.

He doesn’t appear unduly worried about it. While Gunn expressed feelings of misery due to the pressure, Corenswet remained unfazed. “What’s all this pressure? Pressure to be good?” he questioned. “Absolutely, I want to be good,” he continued. “But I’m not the one directing the movie. I simply provide James with puzzle pieces, and he decides where they fit. I can’t shoulder the responsibility that James took on of delivering a Superman film to the public. But James is the ideal person for the job.

Corenswet seems very optimistic about a movie that’s been under a lot of attention. This trailer has broken records as the most-watched for both DC and Warner Bros. He might not want the responsibility of Superman’s success or failure, but it will likely fall on his capable shoulders regardless.

The actor appears to harbor a feeling that his life is on the brink of chaos, while the homebody has no intentions of venturing beyond the Philadelphia suburbs. “Fortunately, I’m not much of a social butterfly,” he remarks. He has privately consulted fellow actors like Hoult, who starred in series such as X-Men and Mad Max, to learn about his lifestyle. “He’s quite humble,” Corenswet says. “I have a soft spot for him. But he doesn’t seem to have any definitive plans. When someone claims they have everything figured out, I can’t help but doubt them and wonder if they’ll look back in two years and question their decisions.

In various conversations, Corenswet expressed his long-held aspiration to portray Superman. Regardless of not being a meticulous career strategist, he’s managed to bring this dream to life for countless spectators. “The task of embodying this character carries an immense, weighty duty,” he acknowledges. “There’s no assurance that my career would have been more diverse if I hadn’t,” he adds. “I am aware of many exceptional actors, far more gifted than I am, who might never grace the stage before a larger audience than a regional theater.

Even if he attempts to stay hidden, it’s impossible for him to avoid the fact that he bears an uncanny resemblance to Clark Kent: “Some well-known individuals have confided in me, ‘I handle this, but nothing like what you’re about to face.’ Whether that’s accurate or not, Superman is a character who stands out distinctly.

2023 saw Glen Powell, a friend and co-star of David Corenswet from “Twisters”, visiting his home while attending lacrosse national championships. As they walked through the stadium, fans shouted Powell’s nickname, “Hangman,” from “Top Gun: Maverick”. Although Corenswet managed to stay unrecognized in this instance, he chuckled and admitted that someday, people might call out his name with ease like they do for Powell. He joked, “With a name like David Corenswet, it might take some time before people can yell it out in the streets. But ‘Superman!’ is a quick alternative.

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2025-04-01 19:06

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