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Draft:Superman (DC Universe)

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For the DCU film featuring Superman, see Superman (2025 film).
Superman
DC Universe character
David Corenswet as Clark Kent in Superman (2025)
First appearanceSuperman (2025)
Based on
Superman
by
Adapted byJames Gunn
In-universe information
OccupationJournalist
AffiliationDaily Planet
Family
PetKrypto (dog)

Clark Kent, known best by his superhero persona Superman, is a fictional character in the DC Universe (DCU) media franchise, based on the DC Comics character of the same name. Adapted by DC Studios co-chairman James Gunn, he is portrayed by David Corenswet.

Superman was previously portrayed by Henry Cavill in DC Films's DC Extended Universe (DCEU) franchise. CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery David Zaslav felt DC's franchise was lacking a coherent creative vision and was underusing tentpole characters like Superman. By August 2022, Gunn had been working on a Superman film before he and Peter Safran were named co-chairmen of the new DC Studios in October, and this film was integrated into their new DCU. Following casting a search that began in April 2023, Corenswet was announced as the new Superman in June.

The character first debuted in the 2025 film of the same name.

Character overview

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Background

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In October 2018, filmaker James Gunn was hired to write and direct The Suicide Squad (2021),[1][2] a standalone sequel to Suicide Squad (2016), an earlier film in the DCEU.[3] Gunn worked with producer Peter Safran, who also produced the DCEU films Aquaman (2018) and Shazam! (2019).[4] Warner Bros originally asked Gunn to write and direct a Superman film, but he was uncertain if he wanted to take on the character.[5][6] He did not have a clear vision for such a film, especially since Superman was a well-known character unlike the Guardians of the Galaxy who he had adapted for Marvel Studios in the film Guardians of the Galaxy (2014).[7] Besides Gunn's and Safran's work, DC Films president Walter Hamada was planning around 25 other live-action and animated DC-based series.[8]

In April 2022, Discovery, Inc. and DC Films's owner WarnerMedia merged to become Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD), led by president and CEO David Zaslav. The new company was expected to restructure DC Entertainment so the film, television, and video game divisions of the company could be aligned. Even before the merger was complete, Zaslav began meeting with candidates to take over DC—including film executive Emma Watts—with the hope of finding an equivalent to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. Despite some recent successes with DC films and series, Zaslav and WBD felt DC lacked a "coherent creative and brand strategy" and was underusing key characters such as Superman.[9] Besides Watts, producer Dan Lin and filmmaker Todd Phillips were prominent candidates in the running to take over DC, though both declined.[10][11]

Gunn was hired around late August to work on a Superman film that was not a sequel to Man of Steel and would be standalone from the DCEU.[12][13] Ultimately, Gunn and Safran were announced as the co-chairmen and co-CEOs of the newly formed DC Studios at the end of October 2022 and were set to take over from Hamada on November 1. Gunn was expected to focus on the creative side of the company while Safran focused on the business and production side.[14] A week after starting their new roles, the pair began working with a group of writers to develop an eight-to-ten-year plan for the new DCU, and Gunn presented Zaslav this plan, and mentioned his love of Superman.[15] The duo announced a slate of DCU projects, which featured DC's well-known "diamond characters" including Superman, with a new Superman film included, subtitled Legacy.[16][17]

Casting

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"[my resemblance to DCEU Superman actor Henry Cavill] came to my attention before the internet got a hold of me. But my pie-in-the-sky ambition is definitely to play Superman. I would love to see somebody do an upbeat, throwback [take on Superman]. I love the Henry Cavill dark and gritty take, but I would love to see the next one be very bright and optimistic."

—David Corenswet on the role of Superman in 2019.[18]

The casting process for Legacy began in April 2023.[19][7] Gunn was looking for an actor to play Superman who possessed the character's humanity, kindness, and compassion, and was "somebody who you want to give a hug".[20] Audition tapes for the main roles, including Superman, were submitted by early May 2023. Gunn began watching them later that month,[21] while he was storyboarding the film.[22] David Corenswet was a top contender for Superman and was set to do a screen test at the end of the month or in early June. Other actors in consideration included Jacob Elordi, Tom Brittney, and Andrew Richardson.[23][21] Elordi declined the role, feeling it was "too much" and "too dark" for him.[24] Nicholas Hoult, the runner-up to play Batman in The Batman (2022),[23] was eyed for Lex Luthor but chose to pursue the role of Superman.[25] Despite this, Hoult ended up taking the role of Luthor.[26] Pierson Fodé, who appeared in an episode of Supergirl (2015–2021), and Jack Quaid, who voiced Superman in the animated series My Adventures with Superman (2023–present), both submitted a self-tape for Superman.[27][28]

At the same time as casting for Kent, actresses tried out for the role of Kent's partner Lois Lane, with Emma Mackey, Rachel Brosnahan, Samara Weaving, and Phoebe Dynevor in the mix;[23][21] Dynevor was one of the final contenders for that role.[29] In-person screen tests took place at the Warner Bros. lot in Burbank, California, with Gunn and Safran in mid-June 2023. The actors tested in makeup and costume as Kent and Lane in the following pairs: Hoult and Brosnahan, Brittney and Dynevor, and Corenswet and Mackey.[30][25] The Kent contenders then tested in costume as Superman against Mackey.[25] During these tests, Brittney "messed up" an original costume Henry Cavill wore in his iteration that according to Gunn "wasn't in the best shape to begin with", and this combined with Corenswet's height while he wore it left it "torn to shreds".[31] Gunn edited the tests together to be played for a deciding committee that included Zaslav,[25] and the casting of Corenswet as Superman and Brosnahan as Lane was announced on June 27.[32] Corenswet had previously said in a 2019 interview that Superman was a "pie-in-the-sky ambition" of his, and that he was aware of his resemblance to previous portrayer Henry Cavill. He was a fan of Cavill's dark and gritty interpretation, but said that he wanted a brighter take on the character.[18][33]

Characterization

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Safran described the DCU's version of Superman as "the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way; he's kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned".[16]

Superman's suit features design inspired by comic book iterations of the character; the trunks are a feature of classic Superman design; the s-symbol is similar to the crest of Mark Waid and Alex Ross's iteration of the character in their 1996 miniseries Kingdom Come; the mock neck and textural design are invocative of the 2011 the New 52 reboot's design.[34] Corenswet's hair is styled with a curl similar to the character's appearance in the comics.[35]

Appearances

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Superman (2025)

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Superman explores the character's journey to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his adoptive human family in Smallville, Kansas.[36] This is where the plot summary of Superman will go as it pertains to the experiences/story of the titular character

To physically prepare for the film, Corenswet worked out until he had bulked up to 238 pounds. He lost a small amount of weight before principal photography on Superman began, ending up at 228-230 pounds. He said he "wanted this to be my excuse to see what it felt like to gain essentially as much weight as I could", and said it didn't feel great initially because his body had not yet adjusted to the spontaneous change.[37]

Reception

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Initial reactions

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Jewish context

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Corenswet is the first actor of Jewish heritage to portray Superman.[38][39] Corenswet's casting as a person of Jewish ancestry was the subject of media attention upon announcement, with several publications penning articles on the significance of the character's Jewish roots, such as Inverse and with Rolling Stone writing a 1,400-word piece.[40] Inverse's Lyvie Scott said "Superman: Legacy represents a promising step forward—even if it's just behind the scenes";[38] Rolling Stone's Jay Michaelson said "it's nice to have a Jewish actor play a role that owes so much to the American Jewish experience", and anticipated that Gunn and Corenswet's iteration could bring back the "courageous, progressive decency" of the early interpretations;[41] MovieWeb's Jack O'Neill said "finally having an actor from a Jewish background playing a character who was inspired so heavily by Jewish folklore is a proud moment for the entire community". O'Neill said that since the character's inception was based around Siegel's and Shuster's experience with antisemitism, the casting was honoring and this made the film among the most important and progressive adaptations.[42]

Initial appearance

[edit]

Gunn released a first-look image of Corenswet in costume in early May, which depicts Superman suiting up while an alien-looking threat attacks in the background. Commentary on the image focused on the return of red briefs which were not included in the Man of Steel design. Elements of the costume were also compared to the design used in the New 52 comics by Jim Lee, while the character's pose and the attack in the background led to speculation about Superman's characterization in the film and what threats he may face.[43][34][35]

Further public reaction to Corenswet's look in the costume came from unauthorized photography during filming in June 2024, with IGN noting there was some fan disappointment over his look. Journalist Scott Collura characterized this as normalcy and ritualistic, and said that these raw images were not like to be how the character would appear in the final film, noting costumes in films such as these were designed "specifically to be photographed under professional lighting by Hollywood’s top craftspeople", and that "super suits can and most certainly will undergo an entire overhaul" by visual effects and editing during post-production.[44] Forbes observed a negative response from "hardcore fans" of Henry Cavill's portrayal, and criticized this angle as "like fans getting mad that Peter Parker is no longer being played by Tobey Maguire, or who still agonize over Michael Keaton no longer playing Batman".[45]

Critical response

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This is where critical reception based on the Corenswet interpretation will go

References

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  1. ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (October 9, 2018). "James Gunn Boards Suicide Squad 2 To Write And Possibly Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 9, 2018. Retrieved October 9, 2018.
  2. ^ Couch, Aaron; McClintock, Pamela (January 30, 2019). "The Batman, The Suicide Squad Set 2021 Release Dates". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 31, 2019. Retrieved January 30, 2019.
  3. ^ Davis, Brandon (July 6, 2021). "The Suicide Squad Producer Rules Out Connections To Previous Film". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 6, 2021.
  4. ^ Mancuso, Vinnie (July 6, 2021). "The Suicide Squad Producer Explains How the Film Connects to Suicide Squad: "We Don't Address It"". Collider. Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  5. ^ Crow, David (April 27, 2021). "The Suicide Squad: James Gunn Talks the Creative Freedom of That R-Rating". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on April 27, 2021. Retrieved December 19, 2022.
  6. ^ Kaye, Don (February 4, 2019). "Report: Before The Suicide Squad, James Gunn was offered Superman". Syfy Wire. Archived from the original on February 5, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Couch, Aaron; Kit, Borys (April 26, 2023). "James Gunn's Guardians: How Chris Pratt and His Marvel Castmates Rescued Their Director's Career". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
  8. ^ Barnes, Brooks (December 27, 2020). "Managing Movie Superheroes Is About to Get a Lot More Complicated". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on December 28, 2020. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
  9. ^ Lang, Brent; Donnelly, Matt (April 14, 2022). "Warner Bros. Discovery Exploring Overhaul of DC Entertainment (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on April 14, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  10. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony; Fleming, Mike Jr (August 25, 2022). "DC Intrigue: Lego Franchise Producer Dan Lin In Pole Position For Top Spot – The Dish". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 25, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  11. ^ Sherman, Alex; Whitten, Alex (September 6, 2022). "Lego Movie producer Dan Lin won't take DC film and TV chief role at Warner Bros". CNBC. Archived from the original on September 6, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  12. ^ Tassi, Paul (February 20, 2023). "James Gunn Says He Was Hired For 'Superman Legacy' Six Months Ago, Raising Cavill Questions". Forbes. Archived from the original on February 22, 2023. Retrieved February 21, 2023.
  13. ^ Brown, Jodee (March 13, 2024). "James Gunn Reveals Original Plans for Superman Film During DCEU Era". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on March 16, 2024. Retrieved March 16, 2024.
  14. ^ Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (October 25, 2022). "DC Shocker: James Gunn, Peter Safran to Lead Film, TV and Animation Division (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on October 25, 2022. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  15. ^ Couch, Aaron (November 10, 2022). "James Gunn, Peter Safran Are Mapping Out "Eight- to 10-Year Plan" for DC". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved February 10, 2023.
  16. ^ a b Vary, Adam B. (January 31, 2023). "New DC Universe Unveils First 10 Projects: Superman: Legacy in 2025, Batman & Robin Movie, Green Lantern Series, Wonder Woman Prequel and More". Variety. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
  17. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 31, 2023). "James Gunn & Peter Safran Unveil Big DC Plan With New Movies For Batman & Robin, Swamp Thing, The Authority; Lanterns TV Series & More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 31, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
  18. ^ a b Lenker, Maureen Lee (November 26, 2019). "Breaking Big: How The Politician's David Corenswet became Hollywood material". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 17, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  19. ^ Sharf, Zack (April 18, 2023). "Superman: Legacy Starts Pre-Production, James Gunn Says: 'Costumes, Production Design and More Now Up and Running'". Variety. Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
  20. ^ Flam, Charna; Malkin, Marc (April 28, 2023). "James Gunn Wants a Superman Who Has 'Humanity' and Is 'Somebody You Want to Hug'". Variety. Archived from the original on April 28, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  21. ^ a b c Kroll, Justin (May 13, 2023). "Superman: Legacy Audition Process Gears Up As James Gunn Dives Into The Search To Find The Next Clark Kent, Lois Lane And Lex Luthor". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 15, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  22. ^ Tinoco, Armando (May 20, 2023). "James Gunn Blasts DC Rumors As He Begins Storyboarding Superman Legacy". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  23. ^ a b c Kit, Borys; Galuppo, Mia (May 13, 2023). "Searching for Superman: Inside the Quest to Cast DC's New Top Hero (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 13, 2023. Retrieved May 13, 2023.
  24. ^ Paiella, Gabriella (November 13, 2023). "How Jacob Elordi Became The New King". GQ. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  25. ^ a b c d Kit, Borys (June 26, 2023). "Inside the Superman: Legacy Screen Tests as Decision 2023 Drags Into Second Week". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on June 26, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  26. ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (December 11, 2023). "Nicholas Hoult to Play Lex Luthor in Superman Legacy, James Gunn Confirms". TheWrap. Archived from the original on December 11, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  27. ^ Malkin, Marc (June 1, 2023). "James Gunn's Superman Search Includes Former Bold and the Beautiful Star Pierson Fodé". Variety. Archived from the original on June 1, 2023. Retrieved June 1, 2023.
  28. ^ Ankers-Range, Adele (July 19, 2024). "The Boys Star Jack Quaid Reveals He Auditioned for Title Role in James Gunn's Superman". IGN. Archived from the original on July 25, 2024. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
  29. ^ Jackson, Angelique (January 3, 2024). "Phoebe Dynevor Breaks Down Her Bold Fair Play Role and Auditioning to Be James Gunn's Lois Lane: 'It Was a Whirlwind'". Variety. Archived from the original on January 3, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  30. ^ Kroll, Justin; D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 8, 2023). "Superman: Legacy In-Person Screen Tests On The Horizon As Warner Bros And James Gunn Get Closer To Finding Clark Kent And Lois Lane". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 8, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
  31. ^ Wasserman, Ben (November 14, 2024). "James Gunn Confirms Henry Cavill's Costume Was Destroyed During DCU Superman Audition Process". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  32. ^ Kroll, Justin (June 27, 2023). "Superman: Legacy: James Gunn Taps David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan For Clark Kent And Lois Lane In DC Studios Film". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 27, 2023. Retrieved June 27, 2023.
  33. ^ Sarkar, Ishani (June 29, 2024). "Meet the new Superman: David Corenswet dreamed of one day playing the Man of Steel, and will be the first Jewish actor in the role ... but what is his kryptonite?". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on June 28, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  34. ^ a b Goodman, William (May 7, 2024). "Superman Costume Revealed: We Have a Suit, and the Suit Has Trunks". GQ. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  35. ^ a b Schedeen, Jesse (May 7, 2024). "Superman: What We Learned From James Gunn's Costume Reveal". IGN. Archived from the original on May 7, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  36. ^ Donnelly, Matt (March 15, 2023). "James Gunn to Direct Superman: Legacy". Variety. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  37. ^ Buenahora, Andrés (September 28, 2024). "Superman Star David Corenswet Bulked Up to 230 Pounds to Play Man of Steel: 'I Didn't Fit Into Any of My Pants'". Variety. Archived from the original on October 2, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  38. ^ a b Scott, Lyvie (June 28, 2023). "Superman: Legacy is Finally Making History in One Major Way". Inverse. Archived from the original on June 30, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  39. ^ Schwartz, Roy (July 11, 2023). "Opinion: The new Superman is half Jewish. Here's why that's making waves". CNN. Archived from the original on August 2, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  40. ^ Schwartz, Roy (July 11, 2023). "Opinion: The new Superman is half Jewish. Here's why that's making waves". CNN. Archived from the original on August 2, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024. The casting has been making some waves. Corenswet is half Jewish, which has prompted articles in pop culture sites like Inverse, Jewish press like The Jewish Chronicle and even a 1,400-word piece in Rolling Stone on why that matters.
  41. ^ Michaelson, Jay (June 28, 2023). "David Corenswet Is the First Jewish Superman. Here's Why That Matters". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on September 26, 2024. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  42. ^ O'Neill, Jack (July 11, 2023). "Why Superman: Legacy Will Be a Jewish Allegory". MovieWeb. Archived from the original on July 12, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  43. ^ Sharf, Zack (May 6, 2024). "James Gunn's New Superman Suit Debuts: See David Corenswet as the Man of Steel in New Look at 2025 Superhero Film". Variety. Archived from the original on May 6, 2024. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
  44. ^ Collura, Scott (June 25, 2024). "Guys, the Superman Suit Probably Isn't Even the Version You'll See in Theaters". IGN. Archived from the original on June 30, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  45. ^ Kain, Erik (June 27, 2024). "David Corenswet's Superman Looks Fantastic In New Images, And The Suit Is Great". Forbes. Archived from the original on October 6, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
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