New Superman actor David Corenswet actually manifested the role years ago

David Corenswet in Netflix's Hollywood
(Image credit: Netflix)

It's official, David Corenswet will be the next version of Superman we see on the big screen. Following weeks of speculation and leaked shortlists, the Pearl actor and Marvelous Mrs Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan were announced as the new Clark Kent and Lois Lane, who'll be introduced in James Gunn's Superman: Legacy. 

Turns out, though, that Corenswet has been keen for a long, long time. In fact, you might even say he manifested himself landing the role. Back in 2019, while he was promoting Ryan Murphy's Netflix series Hollywood, the 29 year old admitted that it's always been his "pie-in-the-sky ambition" to play the Man of Steel. 

"It came to my attention before the internet got a hold of me," Corenswet told Entertainment Weekly at the time, referencing how he'd often be compared to Henry Cavill. "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."

As it stands, we don't know all that much about Gunn's plan with Superman: Legacy; only that it'll draw heavily from the classic comic book story All-Star Superman. For his starring role, Corenswet beat out the likes of Tom Brittney and Nicholas Hoult, while Brosnahan bagged the part over Emma Mackey and Phoebe Dynevor.

When talking about his search for Supes, Gunn previously told Variety, "The next Superman has to be someone who has all 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 be somebody who you want to give a hug."

Superman: Legacy is scheduled to release in July 11, 2025. For more, check out our list of the most exciting upcoming movies heading our way throughout 2023 and beyond. 

Amy West

I am an Entertainment Writer here at 12DOVE, covering all things TV and film across our Total Film and SFX sections. Elsewhere, my words have been published by the likes of Digital Spy, SciFiNow, PinkNews, FANDOM, Radio Times, and Total Film magazine.

Read more
Lois Lane looking over her shoulder
Superman star Rachel Brosnahan reveals how James Gunn's DC movie is "so true to the comics"
David Corenswet as Superman in first look at James Gunn's new movie
Superman release date, trailer, cast, and everything you need to know about the new movie
David Corenswet as Superman in first look at James Gunn's new movie
Superman star David Corenswet is responsible for those traditional trunks, convincing DCU boss James Gunn who was "on the no trunks team"
David Corenswet as Superman
Epic Superman trailer features a bloody and bruised Clark Kent, the first look at Lex Luthor, and introduces a whole bunch of heroes to James Gunn's DCU
Superman
Gen V star reveals he unsuccessfully auditioned for Superman and Homelander
milly alcock
As Milly Alcock's Supergirl is confirmed to appear in Superman, DC fans are concerned the movie may have too many characters
Latest in DC Movies
Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn on set of Joker 2
Lady Gaga jokingly celebrates Joker 2 reception and Razzie nominations: "Joke's on them. I love winning things"
Jason Momoa as Arthur Curry in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
James Gunn reveals Jason Momoa text him about Lobo the day he was announced as DC Studios co-head
Batman and Catwoman talking
Robert Pattinson is hoping to team up with his The Batman co-star Zoe Kravitz on another project soon
Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne in The Batman
Robert Pattinson worries he will be a "f*cking old Batman" by the time filming on The Batman 2 finally starts
Superman
Gen V star reveals he unsuccessfully auditioned for Superman and Homelander
Daniel Radcliffe in The Lost City / Clayface in DC comics
James Gunn denies DC casting rumors that Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe will play Clayface: "We certainly haven’t talked to or considered him"
Latest in News
inZOI Character Studio screenshot showing a young woman with short black/pink hair, black cat-like ears, and a black blouse with a bowtie
The creator of upcoming life sim Inzoi says he was "recklessly brave to even think about creating a game of this scale"
Rise of the Ronin
A year after its PS5 launch, Rise of the Ronin debuts on PC to "Mixed" reviews and performance complaints: "Stuttering on a 4090 is just... no"
Rise of the Ronin's photo mode offers some wonderful shots
On the heels of Rise of the Ronin's PC launch, its director says there's a "significant" amount of Japanese Switch gamers: "I am closely watching how this will change with the release of Switch 2"
Stardew Valley Castle Village mod
Stardew Valley Expanded creator is building an "even more ambitious" mod with a whole new city and "dungeons inspired by The Legend of Zelda"
Dino Crisis 2 art showing a young woman and man back-to-back amid tall green grass, both with their weapons drawn
Dino Crisis gets a fresh trademark filing by Capcom, but it might not mean the 26-year-old survival horror franchise will get a new installment like fans expect
Cujo
Netflix is making a brand new adaptation of Cujo, the infamous Stephen King book about a killer dog