Actors David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan have been announced as the new Superman and Lois Lane in the upcoming superman film “Superman: Legacy.” This casting decision comes after Henry Cavill, the previous actor in the superhero franchise, was dropped last year.
The selection process included six actors being considered for the roles, as reported by the Hollywood Reporter. Director James Gunn expressed his excitement about the casting. Describing Corenswet and Brosnahan in his post on Twitter, he wrote: “They are not only both incredible actors, but also wonderful people.”
David Corenswet, a 29-year-old actor from Philadelphia, is known for his roles in the 2022 thriller “Pearl,” the Netflix series “The Politician,” and the miniseries “We Own This City.” This film marks his first leading role in a major studio production.
Rachel Brosnahan, 32, rose to fame through her appearances in the Netflix hit show “House of Cards” and her starring role as the titular character in Amazon’s Emmy-winning hit “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel.” Brosnahan had previously expressed her excitement about the possibility of playing Lois Lane, citing the character’s strong and talented journalist persona.
Last month while addressing casting rumors on The View, Brosnahan said she would be excited to play the part.
“It would be extraordinary,” she stated at the time. “I grew up watching Lois Lane, this incredibly talented journalist who is far from a damsel in destress. And I would jump at the chance if it arose,” she added.
“Superman: Legacy,” set to release in the summer of 2025, is part of a new lineup of movies and TV titles under the banner “Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.” James Gunn, along with producer Peter Safran, has taken over the superhero franchise and stated earlier this year that the film would mark the true beginning of the DC Universe (DCU), exploring Superman’s balance between his Kryptonian heritage and human upbringing.
With their selection, Corenswet and Brosnahan join the exclusive list of actors who have portrayed Superman and Lois Lane on the big screen. This list includes Christopher Reeve in 1978, Brandon Routh in 2006, and Henry Cavill in “Man of Steel” in 2013.
Henry Cavill, who expressed his willingness to continue playing Superman, confirmed in December that he would no longer portray the character. He conveyed his respect for the decision made by James Gunn and Peter Safran, acknowledging the changing dynamics of the franchise.
“The changing of the guard is something that happens. I respect that. James and Peter have a universe to build. I wish them and all involved with the new universe the best of luck, and the happiest of fortunes,” Cavill wrote on in his Instagram post at the time.
“We can mourn for a bit, but then we must remember …. Superman is still around. Everything he stands for still exists, and the examples he sets for us are still there!” he added.
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In a series of twitter posts at the time, Gunn also mentioned in earlier tweets that the new Superman movie he has been writing “for a while” will focus on “an earlier part of Superman’s life,” necessitating a new actor for the role.
Among those on the slate is Superman. In the initial stages, our story will be focusing on an earlier part of Superman’s life, so the character will not be played by Henry Cavill.
— James Gunn (@JamesGunn) December 15, 2022
“The next Superman has to be someone who has all the humanity that Superman has but he’s also an alien,” he said at the time. “It’s gotta be somebody who has the kindness and the compassion that Superman has and be somebody who you want to give a hug.”
The final selection of Corenswet and Brosnahan for the roles followed a screen test in full costume and makeup, which impressed the DC Studios co-chairs, as reported by Deadline.
