Aside from a solid script and director, one of the most significant factors in the success of a comic book movie is a cast that can bring their vision to life. Whether it was Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man or Heath Ledger as the Joker, certain castings have come to define a franchise or film, setting a precedent for other iconic comic book characters. One such casting was Christopher Reeve as Superman, who would embody everything about the character, leaving future actors with big red boots to fill. Now, David Corenswet is the latest actor to take on the role in James Gunn’sSuperman, and the writer/director had one requirement for Corenswet to play the character.
In a profile piece about Corenswet in Time magazine,Gunnwrote an email explaining one crucial rule that the actor would need to follow to have the role, as he was especially inspired by previous collaborators Chris Pratt and John Cena:
“They treated everyone with kindness and respect. I’ve seen sets that cater to an actor or director’s ego, and that’s just not something that would happen with David. He is Superman, even in his nerdiness. He listens to old jazz standards. Like that’s what he listens to, just as normal procedure. Like Superman, he’s a simple man in complicated times.”
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Gunn’sSupermanis evocative of the old-fashioned ideas and wholesome qualities that Reeves' iteration was best known for, so his desire for Corenswet to reflect that in his work ethic makes sense. The upcoming blockbuster has marketed the film as a story about Superman dealing with his dual lives, and living in a world where his moral and ethical values feel out of place.
David Corenswet’s ‘Superman’ Performance Has a Lot Riding On It
When looking at the previous iteration of Superman and the strugglesZack Snyderhad to execute his vision of the DC Universe, it’s easy to see why James Gunn and Peter Safran opted for something more lighthearted. Still, Cavill embodied the character incredibly well and exhibited a kindness and passion for the character that exudes qualities similar to what Gunn was looking for. InSuperman, Gunn would find himselfchallenged by David Corenswet throughout production, something that he found both irritating and refreshing, saying:
“David’s a pain in the ass because he asks a ton of questions about every single little moment. But I honestly think my favorite moments were when I would get irritated by his endless questions and indulge him anyway, and then I’d see him turn those questions into something magical in his performance.”
Overall, Corenswet’s rise to the occasion to portray the Man of Steel also came with lofty expectations from both the filmmaker and the audience. With the movie only a few months away, there’s plenty of anticipation about whether the first feature film entry in the new DC Universe can establish a strong enough foothold on the critic and box office fronts to carry the franchise to its future projects. No matter what, though, Corenswet seems like the perfect fit for the role.
Source:Time
