Superman: James Gunn recalls screen test between David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan

By Dan Girolamo Published June 17, 2024

A woman and two males read Superman comics. — James Gunn/Instagram / Instagram

There is still over a year before Superman flies into theaters next summer. With production underway, Superman writer and director James Gunn took to Threads on Monday to reminisce about casting David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.

“One year ago today David and Rachel screen-tested for Clark and Lois,” Gunn wrote. “When they first read together it was like magic. What a wonderful year it’s been with two of the most extraordinary, vibrant, and meticulous actors I’ve ever had the opportunity to work with. I can’t wait for you to see them on screen in just a little over a year.”

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This time last year, there were three finalists for the roles of Superman and Lois. Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult, and Tom Brittney were in contention for Superman, while Brosnahan, Phoebe Dynevor, and Emma Mackey were considered for Lois. All six actors screen-tested for Gunn and his DC co-head, Peter Safran. Ultimately, Corenswet and Brosnahan won the coveted roles and will headline the next Superman movie.

Superman pulls up his red boot while wearing a costume. — James Gunn/ / Instagram

Written and directed by Gunn, Superman will follow Clark Kent (Corenswet) as a 30-year-old reporter for the Daily Planet in Metropolis. Superman will not be an origin story. Instead, the film will balance Clark’s upbringing as a human in Kansas with his Kyrpotnian heritage as Superman.

Besides Corenswet and Brosnahan, Superman’s ensemble includes Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El/Supergirl, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner/Green Lantern, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt/Mister Terrific, María Gabriela de Faría as Angela Spica/The Engineer, and Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason/Metamorpho.

Terence Rosemore as Otis, Pruitt Taylor Vince as Jonathan Kent, Neva Howell as Martha Kent, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, Mikaela Hoover as Cat Grant, Christopher McDonald as Ron Troupe, Beck Bennett as Steve Lombard, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, and Wendell Pierce as Perry White round out the ensemble.

Originally titled Superman: Legacy, Gunn’s Superman will be the first film under Chapter One: Gods and Monsters in the DC Universe. Superman arrives in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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James Gunn shares first image of Milly Alcock as Supergirl

The back of Milly Alcock with a Supergirl jacket.

Supergirl is coming.

Filming is underway on Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. To celebrate the start of production, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn shared an image of Milly Alcock as Kara Zor-El, a.k.a. Supergirl.
“Thrilled to see cameras roll at Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden on Supergirl, with Craig Gillespie at the helm and the phenomenal Milly Alcock as our Kara Zor-El,” Gunn wrote on X. “Craig brings an incredible sensibility to this story, and Milly is every inch the unique #Supergirl envisioned by Tom King, Bilquis Evely & Ana Nogueira.”
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is based on Tom King’s 2022 comic book series of the same name, with illustrations by Bilquis Evely. In the comic, Kara, the cousin of Superman, journeys across the galaxy and eventually meets Ruthye Marye Knoll, an honorable warrior who seeks revenge against the villainous Krem of the Yellow Hills.
Eve Ridley will play Ruthye Marye Knoll, while Matthias Schoenaerts will portray Krem of the Yellow Hills. David Krumholtz and Emily Beecham will depict Supergirl's parents. After playing Aquaman, Jason Momoa joins Gunn's new DC Universe as Lobo, who will appear in Supergirl.
https://twitter.com/JamesGunn/status/1882497537606570354
Dumb Money's Craig Gillespie is directing Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow from a screenplay by Ana Nogueira. Gunn and Peter Safran are attached as producers.
Before Supergirl, Alcock's Kara is expected to briefly appear in Gunn's Superman.

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Suicide Squad director David Ayer defends his support of James Gunn’s Superman

David Ayer directs Margot Robbie on the set of Suicide Squad.

DC Extended Universe auteur Zack Snyder may have gotten the chance to release his original version of Justice League back in 2021, but a similar opportunity has not yet been extended to Suicide Squad director David Ayer. The filmmaker's 2016 comic book movie was, like Snyder's Justice League, heavily tampered with behind the scenes, and Ayer has remained adamant that the version of Suicide Squad that was theatrically released differs greatly from his original, preferred iteration.

The ongoing wait for a release of his cut of Suicide Squad hasn't stopped Ayer, however, from publicly voicing his support for DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn's Superman. On December 17, Ayer asked fans not to divert any attention away from the release of the first Superman trailer by launching another Suicide Squad campaign in his honor, writing, "I’m excited to see the trailer and have heard through the rumor mill it’s pretty incredible." His tweet was, unfortunately, met with negativity from certain fans, who took issue with the courtesy he was trying to extend to Gunn and, by extension, DC Studios' new DC Universe.

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Superman teaser trailer previews David Corenswet as a battered Man of Steel

Superman walks with a concerned look on his face in Superman.

"Home. Take me home," a bloodied Man of Steel says to Krypto the Superdog in the first teaser trailer for Superman.

The teaser begins with an injured Superman (David Corenswet) lying in the snow as he waits for the arrival of Krypto. Set to an edgier version of John Williams' Superman theme, the footage then transitions to Metropolis as Clark Kent heads to work inside the offices of The Daily Planet. Here, we get the first glance at Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane. There are multiple moments in the footage where Superman and Lois lovingly embrace, including a scene where they float off the ground.