DC and superhero movie fans have been given a little boost after pictures leaked from the set of the new Superman film, showing new actor David Corenswet in all his blue and red suited glory.
It’s been a long and rather complicated process to get to the shooting stage for Warner Bros, following a major internal restructure that brought in filmmaker James Gunn and his producing partner Peter Safran as the co-CEOs of the newly formed DC Studios subsidiary in November 2022.
The two new creatives scrapped almost everything planned, which included an extremely awkward reversal for previous Superman star Henry Cavill, who had filmed a cameo for Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson’s Black Adam movie – and officially announced his return to the role on social media.
Gunn explained to disgruntled fans that his new vision for DC output would mean a return to the drawing board for Superman, and thus a new actor to take on the iconic role.
Initially titled Superman: Legacy, the new Superman film – set for a 2025 release – has now dropped the second part of its title.
David Corenswet was confirmed for the part in June 2023, alongside The Marvelous Mrs Maisel’s Rachel Brosnahan as his onscreen love interest, Lois Lane.
Nicholas Hoult will be playing villain Lex Luthor, while Nathan Fillion, House of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock, Sean Gunn and Twilight’s Edi Gathegi also feature in the cast.
Who is new Superman actor David Corenswet?
In a likely sensible move from Gunn – who is also directing and has co-written Superman – the new actor taking on the superhero’s mantle is not a household name.
However, Corenswet, 30, has been seen in plenty prior to this likely career-making movie.
After graduating from prestigious American drama school Julliard in 2016, the actor guest-starred in several TV shows, including House of Cards, Elementary and Instinct, while also appearing in 2018 political thriller film Affairs of State with Mimi Rogers and Adrian Grenier.
He then formed a lucrative connection with Glee creator Ryan Murphy, who cast him in his comedy-drama The Politician for Netflix, where he portrayed the lover an high school rival of Ben Platt.
Corenswet then broke out further for Murphy in 2020’s limited series Hollywood, where he played WWII veteran Jack Castello, who moves to the city of dreams with the hope of becoming an actor.
After appearing in 2022 psychological horror film Pearl with Mia Goth and romantic fantasy film The Greatest Hits earlier this year, Corenswet also has a handful more major releases coming up.
He is starring in the Apple TV+ adaptation of Laura Lippman’s The Lady in the Lake alongside Natalie Portman.
This summer he will also appear in the standalone sequel to 1996’s disaster film Twister, Twisters (naturally), with Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones and Anthony Ramos.
What does the new Superman suit look like?
After a first look at Corenswet as Superman putting on his red boots as he sat in a chair in his suit, where fans could see the tough exterior of his suit and its vivid colours back in May, now we have more to work on.
The set photos confirm a return to the original look of red pants worn over the blue suit, in a look reminiscent of Christopher Reeve’s suit.
While Cavill’s Superman eschewed the red pants completely, Corenswet’s suit has a more retro look – including the yellow belt – than Brandon Routh’s did for his one Superman outing in 2006’s Superman Returns.
The red is also a brighter hue than previously, giving bold primary colour vibes, although the Superman logo on Corenswet’s chase has a slightly less obvious ‘S’, given that the bottom of the letter appears to be cut off in the design.
What do the latest Superman set photos featuring David Corenswet tell us?
Aside from giving a nice clear look at the new Superman suit in person, there’s not much more than can be gleaned for the news Superman set photos – although his co-stars suggest hints.
Corenswet is filming on location in Cleveland, Ohio currently, and was pictured in a scene on Monday that appeared to tease pretty major destruction given the slabs of concrete and debris surrounding him, as well as extras dressed as serving military and firefighters.
Co-star Brosnahan was also seen filming the sequence as Lois, with dark hair and dressed in black trousers and a purple cardigan.
Gathegi, who has been cast as superhero Mister Terrific, was also photographed on set wearing the character’s distinctive make-up and red, black and white jacket.
For anything else to be confirmed, we shall have to patiently wait for Superman-related updates.