SUPERMAN: LEGACY Star David Corenswet Said in 2019 He Wanted a "Bright and Optimistic” Superman
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David Corenswet is set to play Clark Kent aka Superman in James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy, and he will star alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. There’s been a lot of mixed reactions from fans regarding this casting, but I’m ok with it, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they bring these classic characters to life.
Back in 2019, Corenswet sat down for an interview with Entertainment Weekly, and all those years ago he talked about his ambition to play Superman one day and he shared the kind of Superman that he would like to play. It’s like the actor manifested the role! When referencing how he'd often be compared to Henry Cavill, he said:
"It came to my attention before the internet got a hold of me. I would love to see somebody do an upbeat, throwback [take on Superman]. I love the [Zack Snyder] dark and gritty take, but I would love to see the next one be very bright and optimistic."
This is exactly what Gunn is planning to do with Superman: Legacy, and it’s something that Cavill also wanted to do if he got to play the character again. It’s pretty cool, though, that Corenswet was talking about this back in 2019, and now here he is about to play Superman.
When previously talking about the type of actor that Gunn wanted to cast, the director said: “But it has to be somebody who has all of the humanity that Superman has, but he's also an alien. It's gotta be somebody who has the kindness and the compassion that Superman has. And it has to be somebody that you want to give a hug." Corenswet is obviously the guy that Gunn felt fit this version of Superman best.
Superman: Legacy will tell 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.”
Superman: Legacy is scheduled to open in theaters on July 11, 2025