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American filmmaker James Gunn, who is teasingly admitting to an “ego” for his talent for transforming relatively unknown actors into big stars, expressed confidence in his choice of David Corenswet as the Man of Steel in his upcoming “Superman” movie, which is due out on July 11.
Gunn, who previously launched Chris Pratt to superstardom with “Guardians of the Galaxy,” believes Corenswet will be “the biggest movie star in the world, and people don’t know it yet.”
He attributes this to Corenswet’s rare combination of acting, comedic, and handsome qualities.
Beyond his casting prowess, Gunn, who is both the writer/director and co-CEO of the newly formed DC Studios, acknowledged the significant stakes riding on “Superman.”
While the success of other Warner Bros. films like “Minecraft” and “Sinners” has eased some pressure, “Superman” is the inaugural release under the DC Studios banner, launching a new cinematic universe based on DC comics.
A “Superman” for Today’s World, Rooted in Comic Love
Gunn revealed that his inspiration for “Superman” stems from his lifelong love of comics, which he says helped him learn to read as a child. He aimed to “recreate that world that I walked into as a child” for modern filmgoers.
The film places Superman in an unfamiliar context, facing public scrutiny and adversaries who exploit his alien origins to further their political and corporate interests.
The filmmaker noted parallels to contemporary society, where social media manipulation and endless speculation can sow doubt.
The corporate villain, Lex Luthor, is portrayed with a “Wall Street machismo” that resembles a modern “tech bro,” though Gunn insists he’s not a direct stand-in for any real-life figure.
Nicholas Hoult, who originally tested for Superman, impressed Gunn so much during his screen test that Gunn realised, “God, he’s Lex. This guy’s Lex.” He believes Hoult delivered a performance true to the classic comic book Lex Luthor.
Despite its contemporary themes, Gunn’s “Superman” promises the witty lines and charm reminiscent of his beloved “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise.
The film even features Superman’s dog, Krypto, inspired by Gunn’s own “unruly” canine, which has garnered positive early feedback.
When asked about a potential future “Batman vs. Superman” film in his new universe, he expressed a desire to show the iconic duo “teaming up as the best friends that they are in the comics.”
Ultimately, Gunn hopes audiences will connect with “Superman,” which he describes as the hardest film he’s ever made and one his childhood self longed to see.
He hopes it “speaks to other people as much as it speaks to me,” portraying “someone good in a world that isn’t always (good)… and I find that part of it beautiful.”
