DC Studios has proclaimed the new casting for Clark Kent and Lois Lane. David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan play the coveted parts in James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy. Let the Gunniverse begin!
The latest on-screen incarnation of the iconic superheros will focus on a workplace-based origin story, Gunn said when he and fellow DC captain Peter Safran laid out their story plans this January. Corenswet, whose breakout role is in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series Hollywood, will play cub reporter Kent at the fictional newspaper The Daily Planet. Brosnahan will be his coworker and cinematic co-lead.
Gunn is now directing the project from his own screenplay, based on the characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. Safran (Aquaman, the upcoming Aquaman 2, and The Conjuring franchise) will be lead producer. The project is set for release on July 11, 2025.
“It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing,” Safran said earlier this year when he and Gunn unveiled a lengthy block of planned DC films and series. “He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned.”
This is a star-making move for Corenswet, there is no higher profile role than The Man Of Steel.
Brosnahan is a well-established star and a shelf full of gold trophies for her work on Amazon’s long-running comedy The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. She broke out in Netflix’s House of Cards. Corenswet and Brosnahan were among the six actors vying for the lead roles, with Gunn filming screen tests over the June 17 weekend before making the final call today.
Corenswet will anchor a new iteration of the DC universe as DC attempts to reinvent itself after a streak of box-office misses with October’s Black Adam, March’s Shazam! Fury of the Gods and the just released The Flash (Our review is here). Only three actors have played Superman on the big screen, with Christopher Reeve’s career-defining work in 1978’s Superman launching the modern superhero genre and generating three sequels. Brandon Routh starred in Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns (2006), a film that also failed to fly the box office and resulted in him being in only one film. And a decade ago, Henry Cavill starred in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel, the film that launched the DC Extended Universe and made Cavill a fan-favorite actor for his thoughtful, earnest work as Clark Kent. Cavill played Superman 5 times, and was offered a supporting role in the new series. Unknown if he accepted.
The search for talent will now continue for characters such as Lex Luthor and the superheroes called The Authority, who are expected to debut in Legacy before appearing in their own film.
Up next for Cornswet is the Apple series Lady in the Lake and a Twister sequel, Twisters.
Here’s James Gunn talking about the overall narrative of his DC projects on Good Morning, America.
And fan art by bobby-art of David as Superman and Clark.
David Raiklen wrote, directed and scored his first film at age 9. He began studying keyboard and composing at age 5. He attended, then taught at UCLA, USC and CalArts. Among his teachers are John Williams and Mel Powel.
He has worked for Fox, Disney and Sprint. David has received numerous awards for his work, including the 2004 American Music Center Award. Dr. Raiklen has composed music and sound design for theater (Death and the Maiden), dance (Russian Ballet), television (Sing Me a Story), cell phone (Spacey Movie), museums (Museum of Tolerance), concert (Violin Sonata ), and film (Appalachian Trail).
His compositions have been performed at the Hollywood Bowl and the first Disney Hall. David Raiken is also host of a successful radio program, Classical Fan Club.
