Stepping into the legendary red cape for the first time gave actor David Corenswet a powerful dose of confidence as he takes on the role of Clark Kent/Superman in the highly anticipated reboot of the Superman franchise.
At the film’s star-studded red-carpet premiere in London on Wednesday, Corenswet—best known for his work in The Politician, Hollywood, Twisters, and Pearl—reflected on the moment he donned the iconic suit.
“When the cape gets on, it really ties the whole thing together,” he said. “You walk out with it flowing behind you and feel like, ‘Yeah, I’m all right, I’ll do okay.’”
Corenswet follows in the footsteps of Christopher Reeve and Henry Cavill, taking on the mantle of Superman in director James Gunn’s bold new vision for the DC Universe (DCU) under Warner Bros.
Gunn, known for Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy series, not only directed the film but also penned the screenplay. His approach blends classic comic book elements with a modern sensibility.
“In a world full of cruelty and petty drama, Superman’s kindness, his sincerity, and even his earnestness can seem almost radical,” said Gunn. “This movie is about kindness—but told in a world full of flying dogs, space battles, robots, and giant monsters.”
Joining Corenswet is Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult (X-Men, About a Boy, Nosferatu) as arch-nemesis Lex Luthor.
Hoult said his portrayal of Lex was heavily influenced by the comics. “In All-Star Superman, Lex sees himself as the pinnacle of human achievement, and I wanted to channel that energy into the role,” he explained.
Brosnahan praised her character’s legacy and Gunn’s refreshing take on the story. “James’s deep love for these characters and his imaginative take brings them into the present day in a really meaningful way,” she said.
Superman marks the beginning of a new chapter for the DCU and officially kicks off its global cinematic release on July 9.
