When the first trailer for James Gunn’s Superman dropped, everyone had the same reaction. We weren’t just looking at the suit or the special effects. We were staring at the faces. After years of Henry Cavill’s brooding, "god-among-men" portrayal, the actors in the new Superman movie had a massive mountain to climb. People didn't just want a reboot; they wanted to feel something that had been missing from the DC universe for a long time: hope. Honestly, it’s a lot of pressure to put on a guy like David Corenswet, but here we are in 2026, and the dust has finally settled on the most talked-about casting of the decade.
The movie, which hit theaters on July 11, 2025, wasn't just another origin story. Thank goodness for that. Gunn skipped the baby-in-a-pod sequence we’ve seen a thousand times and dropped us right into a world where superheroes already exist, and frankly, they’re kinda jerks. That’s where the cast comes in. They had to play characters who weren't just icons, but people trying to figure out if being "good" was still a thing that mattered.
David Corenswet: More than just a "Reeve Lookalike"
If you’ve seen Corenswet in Pearl or The Politician, you know he has this weird ability to look both incredibly charming and slightly unsettling. For Superman, he leaned hard into the charm. It’s no secret that the internet went wild over how much he resembles Christopher Reeve. He’s got the jawline, the height—he actually bulked up by about 45 pounds for the role—and that "boy scout" sparkle in his eye. But looking like Superman and being Superman are two different things.
Corenswet’s Clark Kent is basically a guy trying to be invisible while being 6'4". He’s quiet. He’s thoughtful. During the press tour, Corenswet mentioned he drew inspiration from All-Star Superman, focusing on the idea that the character’s greatest strength isn't his heat vision, but his capacity for kindness in a world that thinks kindness is a weakness. He also pulls double duty in this film. If you caught the mid-movie twist, you know he also plays Ultraman, a darker, drone-controlled clone created by Lex Luthor. Seeing him play both the embodiment of hope and a hollow, terrifying mirror of himself was a masterclass in range.
Rachel Brosnahan and the "Public Bathroom" Casting
Rachel Brosnahan is Lois Lane. There’s really no other way to put it. Known for The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, she brought that same fast-talking, sharp-witted energy to the Daily Planet. She’s not a damsel. She’s not just "the girlfriend." In this version, she actually knows Clark’s secret pretty early on, which changes the whole dynamic.
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The story of how she got the part is actually hilarious. She was in a public bathroom in SoHo when James Gunn called her. She literally prayed that no one would flush a toilet while she was accepting the role of the world’s most famous journalist. Naturally, as soon as she said "yes," a toilet flushed. If that isn't a sign of how grounded and human this production was, I don't know what is. Her chemistry with Corenswet is the actual heart of the movie. It feels like a real relationship between two people who respect each other's work, rather than a forced Hollywood romance.
Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor is basically a Tech Bro Nightmare
Nicholas Hoult has had a wild journey with DC. He actually auditioned for Batman (losing to Robert Pattinson) and then auditioned for Superman before Gunn realized he was the perfect Lex Luthor. It makes sense. Hoult is great at playing characters who are brilliant but slightly unhinged—look at The Great or The Menu.
His Lex Luthor isn't a campy villain with a real estate scheme. He’s a billionaire tech mogul who views Superman as an existential threat to humanity. He’s got that Elon Musk-style "I’m saving the world" ego. Hoult plays him with this cold, calculating intensity, but there’s a flicker of genuine fear there. He truly believes that humans should be the masters of their own destiny, and a "god" flying around Metropolis ruins his plan for human exceptionalism. Also, yes, he went full bald for the role, and it somehow makes him look even more intimidating.
The Supporting Cast: A World Full of Heroes
One thing that surprised people about the actors in the new Superman movie was just how many other heroes showed up. This wasn't just a solo outing; it was an introduction to a living, breathing DC Universe.
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- Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner: Fillion is a James Gunn staple, and his take on the Green Lantern is exactly what you'd expect—obnoxious, bowl-cut-sporting, and hilarious. He’s the perfect foil to Superman’s sincerity.
- Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl: She brings a fierce, tactical edge to the screen. Her costume looked incredible, but her performance as Kendra Saunders showed a weariness that balanced out the younger heroes.
- Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific: Gathegi is a scene-stealer. His Michael Holt is the smartest guy in the room, and his T-Spheres were one of the coolest visual effects in the film.
- Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho: After his legendary run in Barry, Carrigan brings a tragic, soulful vibe to Rex Mason. He’s a guy who just wants to be normal but is stuck being a shapeshifting elemental.
- María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer: She’s technically a villain here, part of the group known as The Authority. Her nanotech powers led to some of the most brutal fight scenes in the movie.
Breaking Down the Daily Planet and Beyond
We can't forget the people who keep Clark grounded. Wendell Pierce (yes, Bunk from The Wire) is Perry White. He brings a gravitas to the newsroom that we haven't seen in years. Skyler Gisondo plays Jimmy Olsen, and honestly, he was born for this. He’s got that "gee-whiz" energy without being annoying.
Then there’s the emotional anchor: the Kents. Pruitt Taylor Vince and Neva Howell play Jonathan and Martha. Their scenes with Clark are small, but they explain exactly why Superman is the way he is. They didn't raise a weapon; they raised a son. And let’s not overlook the cameo from Will Reeve, Christopher Reeve’s actual son, playing a TV reporter. It was a beautiful "passing of the torch" moment that had half the theater in tears.
Why this cast worked when others didn't
Looking back, the reason the actors in the new Superman movie clicked is that they weren't trying to be "dark and gritty." They were allowed to be human. James Gunn has this knack for finding the "misfit" energy in every character, and he applied that even to the Man of Steel.
There were some risks. Having so many heroes in one movie could have easily felt overstuffed. Some critics felt that characters like Hawkgirl didn't get enough screen time to justify their presence. But as a proof of concept for a new universe? It worked. It established that Superman isn't just a hero; he’s an inspiration to other heroes who have lost their way.
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Practical takeaways for the fans
If you're looking to dive deeper into this new era of DC, here is what you should keep an eye on:
- Watch the credits: There are major setups for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (starring Milly Alcock, who briefly appears in Superman) and The Authority.
- Follow the creators: James Gunn is incredibly active on Threads and Instagram, often debunking rumors and sharing behind-the-scenes looks at the cast.
- Read the source material: If you liked the tone of the movie, check out All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Superman: Brainiac by Geoff Johns. These were clearly the blueprints for the performances we saw on screen.
The actors in the new Superman movie have successfully rebooted a franchise that many thought was beyond saving. By focusing on character over spectacle—though there was plenty of spectacle—David Corenswet and company have given us a Superman that feels right for the mid-2020s. He’s not a god we should fear; he’s a friend we’re lucky to have.
Keep an eye out for Corenswet’s next appearance in the 2026 Supergirl film, where he’s set to reprise the role in a supporting capacity. It's clear this is just the beginning of a very long flight.