In a candid “Actors on Actors” conversation with Jonathan Bailey, David Corenswet, the man who stepped into the iconic Superman role in James Gunn’s 2025 film, offered insight into his creative philosophy, his unexpected casting, and how his formative years in theater shaped his approach to big-budget filmmaking.
The Unexpected Call to Metropolis
Corenswet’s casting as Superman was a moment of utter surprise for the actor, who recounted receiving the news while standing on a ladder changing a light fixture. Despite the widespread speculation that he was a prime candidate, Corenswet stated he “really was not expecting it,” describing the opportunity as feeling “completely impossible,” both statistically and experientially.
Corenswet, who was previously described as a “string bean” by a high school crush, undertook a massive physical transformation for the role, detailing how he put on 40 pounds with the help of trainer Paolo. However, his preparation went far beyond the physical; Jonathan Bailey praised Corenswet’s performance for bringing “so much integrity and specificity” to the dual roles of Clark and Superman. Corenswet noted that this iteration of the hero was written to be “entirely fallible and passionate”.
Collaboration and Creative Tension
Corenswet spoke highly of Director James Gunn, noting that Gunn has a “scientific curiosity, exploration, rigor” that rings true with his own approach to life. Corenswet believes Gunn’s primary goal is to make films “fun and special and different,” even more so than just wanting them to be good.
The actor revealed that he works best when fully informed about the project, expressing frustration when there is a culture of “protecting actors from too much information,” which he feels can “hamstring” them. He advocates for “tension, but not friction” in the creative process. Tension, he argues, is how things get done, whereas friction hemorrhages energy.
This dedication to artistic contribution led to a key moment in the film. Corenswet recounted fighting for a specific reaction during a romantic scene with Rachel Brosnahan, where his character gives a “chuckle” after she says, “I love you too”. Director Gunn initially suggested the moment needed to be solemn, but Corenswet insisted the chuckle was truthful, emphasizing that the whole point was that the character already knew she loved him. Corenswet argued this moment grounded the male romance in “giddiness and the playfulness” rather than a “performed sense” of male restraint. Gunn ultimately agreed that the chuckle was a very truthful thing.
The Immediate Impact of Theater
Corenswet’s dedication to craft stems from a deep history in live performance. He began professional acting at nine years old, playing Bert in “All My Sons” at The Arden Theater in Philadelphia. He shared that the immediacy of theater—having a paying audience in three weeks—provided a clear purpose that contrasted with the often abstract goals of school.
This theatrical background proved crucial during the “Superman” shoot. Corenswet revealed that they rehearsed their longer, intimate scenes—including one 10-minute kitchen scene—”like a play”. He called this experience a moment of “sort of returning home,” realizing that taking on the big role did not require making a “deal with the devil”.
Corenswet summarized his measurement of success by the process itself, noting that he learned to leave his sense of control at “wrap”. His true measure of success as an actor comes from seeing the audience’s face light up (like running out for a curtain call), and from receiving the required feedback from his scene partner, director, and the crew.
Finally, Corenswet shared a profound personal connection to his work on the film: getting to be in a movie with an orchestral score featuring John Williams’ music. Williams’ compositions from films like “Star Wars” and “Jurassic Park” were deeply important to him growing up, and having that music at his back was a moment that made him emotional.
“Corenswet’s disciplined approach to performance, built on a foundation of intense theatrical work and a deep respect for collaboration, suggests his tenure as Superman will be focused squarely on character integrity and precise detail.”
