What's Inside?
- James Gunn discovered David Corenswet while watching Pearl and immediately saw him as a strong candidate for Superman.
- The character of the projectionist in Pearl caught Gunn’s eye, leading him to look up Corenswet on IMDb.
- Gunn was impressed by Corenswet’s charm and humor during auditions, which sealed his decision to cast him as Superman.
How did James Gunn discover David Corenswet for Superman? If you are wondering over the question, the director and DC boss has shared the interesting story of how Corenswet got the visibility that impressed Gunn right away. In a recent interview, the Superman director shared that Ti West’s iconic 2022 horror drama Pearl grabbed his attention, and he almost immediately found his Man of Steel.
James Gunn Shared How He Found David Corenswet for Superman
James Gunn recalled how he discovered David Corenswet for the role of Superman while watching a film by Ti West, a talented filmmaker and personal friend. During the screening, Gunn noticed a character simply known as the projectionist and was struck by the actor’s resemblance to what he envisioned for Superman. In a recent interview shared on Konbini, Gunn shared–
“So this is by a filmmaker by the name of Ti West, a very talented guy who also uh I happen to be friendly with. And so I actually was watching this movie which is great. It’s a great movie. And I was watching it and I saw a character whose name I think is just the projectionist in the movie. And uh and I’m like that guy looks like he could possibly be Superman.”
He looked up the actor’s name on IMDb and requested that David Corenswet be brought in for an audition. Gunn had asked for a few actors to be considered, but Corenswet stood out. After reviewing the audition tapes, Gunn admitted that the first tape he watched wasn’t promising. However, when he saw Corenswet’s performance, he was immediately impressed by his unexpected sense of humor. He added–
“I looked up his name on IMDb and said can you bring this guy in? And so they brought uh David in. There were two people I asked to be brought in, maybe more, but one guy I thought was most likely to be uh Superman and I asked for him to be brought in. I watched his tape first. That wasn’t very good. And then David Corin sweat, I watched him and uh and he was amazing. And I’m like, ‘Oh my god, the guy’s funny.’ Like, which I didn’t imagine from watching.”
Fast forward, Corenswet is now the new Superman and by the look of it, especially judging by fans and critics’ reaction, Gunn made a good choice, thanks to West.
How Did David Corenswet Prepare for James Gunn’s Superman?
Transforming into Superman isn’t just about putting on the cape. It also requires building the body to match the legendary superhero. For David Corenswet, stepping into Clark Kent’s shoes meant going all in on a rigorous diet and intense training. Before filming began, his co-star Rachel Brosnahan, who plays Lois Lane, was stunned by the amount of food he was consuming. “I couldn’t believe the volume of food in front of him,” she said, laughing about their pre-production breakfast (via ET). “You had, like, four plates of eggs.”
Corenswet embraced the physical challenge with discipline and focus. “I did a very straightforward regimen of lifting heavy things and eating a lot of calories,” he shared. His meals were built around protein—five a day—totaling up to 250 grams daily. “Protein with every meal. Five times a day,” he explained. Combined with carbs and fats, he gained around two pounds a week for four months. “[I] topped out at 238 pounds,” he revealed. “And then collapsed in a heap and was never heard from again,” he joked.
LA-based trainer Paolo Mascitti, who had previously transformed Flula Borg for The Suicide Squad, helped him to achieve that superhero frame. “We focus on moments like presses, pullups, pulldowns, rows—all the big ones,” Mascitti said. The key was progressive overload, a classic technique to build real strength. “A lot of trainers online are looking for the next best thing,” he added, “but it’s not about showy moves—it’s about mastering the exercise.”
For Corenswet, the role carried more than just physical expectations. “I didn’t feel pressure,” he said. “Not because I felt like I had it in the bag by any means. I just felt that I had a wonderful responsibility.” His goal was to honor the legacy of Superman, a hero beloved across generations.
“To play a great character… with a great director, who ended up challenging me and pushing me to be the best that I could be.”
Superman is now playing in theaters.
