The DC Studios CEO opens up about casting decisions ahead of the 2025 Superman reboot.
James Gunn, director of the upcoming Superman film and co-CEO of DC Studios, recently revealed that he had a clear vision for who would wear the iconic cape — and he wouldn’t move forward until he found the right fit.
The 58-year-old filmmaker emphasized the importance of casting an actor capable of balancing drama, humor, and action, a combination he ultimately found in David Corenswet.
“The easy part is, he looks like Superman,” Gunn told GQ. “But the fact that David is a theatre kid that’s so athletic is even weirder.”
Gunn praised Corenswet for his unique blend of classical acting training and physicality, traits he believes are essential for the complex character.
Chris Pratt Was Also a Top Contender
Still, Gunn admitted that if Corenswet had passed on the role, he had another actor in mind—Chris Pratt, a frequent collaborator.
“I don’t know if anybody I’ve worked with before would’ve been able to do this stuff, besides maybe Chris Pratt,” Gunn explained.
He also reiterated how central the casting was to the entire project:
“I said from the beginning, ‘If I don’t find Superman, I’m not going to do this movie.’ Because I knew that this was dependent on the guy that’s playing Superman.”
New Superman Film Set to Release in 2025
The highly anticipated action sci-fi reboot is slated to hit theaters on July 11, 2025, marking a fresh chapter for DC’s cinematic universe under Gunn’s creative leadership.
