David Corenswet reflects on different approach to ‘Superman’ than Henry Cavill

David Corenswet is setting the record straight about his vision for Superman and the comments he made before landing the iconic role. 

When he was cast in 2023 as the new Superman for James Gunn’s reboot of the franchise, some longtime fans of Zack Snyder’s darker take on the DC Universe took issue with remarks Corenswet made back in 2019.

At the time, Corenswet told Entertainment Weekly, “My pie-in-the-sky ambition is definitely to play Superman. I would love to see somebody do an upbeat, throwback [take on Superman]. 

I love the Henry Cavill dark and gritty take, but I would love to see the next one be very bright and optimistic.”

Though the actor’s comments were meant to express excitement over the creative possibilities for the character, some interpreted his words as criticism of Henry Cavill’s portrayal. 

But Corenswet is now clarifying what he really meant. 

Speaking to GQ magazine, he reflected, “I think that’s the least interesting thing I could have said. 

Simply because with a great character like Superman, you want great artists and writers and actors to explore all of the possibilities of them.”

He explained that innovation is what keeps superheroes relevant. 

“The one way [superheroes] become boring is if you just keep doing the same thing over and over again,” Corenswet said. 

“And so, just like Chris Nolan took Batman and did something darker and more grounded with the character, Zack Snyder and Henry Cavill explored a side of Superman that hadn’t been explored on the big screen. 

So, all I was saying was they’re doing it so well. Whenever they’re finished, I’d love to see the next one go the other way, and let’s see the other side.”

He continued, “In the same way, after Chris Nolan’s Batman films and after Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson, there are a lot of people who are like, ‘Where’s our funny, campy, fantastical Batman?’”

Now leading a Superman reboot under Gunn’s creative direction, Corenswet is embodying a version of the hero that leans into colour, optimism, and lightheartedness, a sharp turn from the brooding tone of previous installments.