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The process of casting Superman for James Gunn’s reimagined vision of the character may have seemed exhaustive from the outside, but for the director, it was clear from the start that David Corenswet had something special. Competing against nearly 400 other hopefuls, Corenswet ultimately emerged as Gunn’s top choice, and the two quickly formed a creative bond. But while their partnership may look effortless in hindsight, it wasn’t without its challenges—particularly on set, where their strong personalities occasionally clashed in the heat of collaboration.
According to Gunn, Corenswet came to the set with an insatiable curiosity and a deep desire to embody Clark Kent as truthfully as possible. In an interview with GQ, the director admitted that the actor would ask endless questions, seeking clarity and insight into even the subtlest details of the role. While Gunn appreciated this level of dedication and acknowledged that many of Corenswet’s inquiries made the movie better, he also didn’t shy away from saying that the frequency of those questions sometimes pushed his patience to its limits. “Every once in a while, it’s just one question too many,” Gunn said, adding with a laugh, “David, stop, stop, for a minute.”
Despite moments of tension, their working relationship remained strong, even thriving on that kind of honesty. Gunn emphasized that Corenswet was self-aware enough to recognize when he was pressing too hard, and more importantly, he never took the director’s blunt feedback personally. Gunn admitted, “When I say, ‘David, shut the f*ck up,’ David totally gets it and does not take that personally.” This kind of mutual understanding and emotional maturity, Gunn suggested, is rare but essential when working so closely on a project as massive and emotionally layered as Superman.
What’s more, Gunn opened up about his own emotional sensitivity and how it usually influences his dynamic with actors. With Corenswet, however, the process was different. The actor’s emotional resilience made it easier for Gunn to be direct without fear of damaging their bond. This, in turn, created a collaborative environment where ideas could flow freely and honestly without unnecessary tiptoeing around egos.
Now that Superman is about to hit theaters, the early buzz suggests that this unique actor-director synergy may have paid off. Gunn, who steps into the DC Universe following Zack Snyder’s departure, appears to have found a lead in Corenswet who not only fits the character but also enhances the filmmaking process through thoughtful engagement rather than passive performance. If this off-screen chemistry is any indication of what’s to come, Superman might mark a new chapter for DC, driven by creative trust and emotional clarity behind the scenes.