James Gunn Compares David Corenswet’s Superman to Chris Pratt
Superman director James Gunn revealed in a new interview that he was searching for an actor of Chris Pratt‘s caliber to play the titular character in his upcoming movie. He eventually cast David Corenswet, whose previous credits include 2018’s Affairs of State and 2022’s Pearl, in the role. Notably, Gunn and Pratt have worked together in the Guardians of the Galaxy film series.
James Gunn says he wouldn’t have done Superman without the right actor
James Gunn shared details about what he was looking for while casting for Superman in a new interview with GQ and underscored how the movie was “tonally complex” and a combination of “drama, comedy, and action.” He said, “I said from the beginning, if I don’t find Superman, I’m not going to do this movie. Because I knew that this was dependent on the guy that’s playing Superman.”
The filmmaker noted that he couldn’t cast someone who “had the look, but didn’t have the chops” or someone who “had the chops but didn’t have the look.” He further continued, “I couldn’t go for someone that had the looks and the chops, but couldn’t do the comedic parts, or couldn’t do the more vulnerable aspects.”
According to Gunn, his eventual pick, Corenswet, not only looked like Superman but also was “a theater kid that’s so athletic is even weirder.” Gunn claimed that the only actor he has previously collaborated with who could have done what Corenswet did for Superman is Chris Pratt.
This doesn’t likely mean that Gunn considered Pratt for the role of the iconic DC superhero. However, it does denote the respect he has for Pratt’s ability and range as an actor. It also keeps the hope alive for their future collaboration as part of the DCU. In a recent interview with ComicBook, Gunn called Pratt one of his “closest friends in the world” and disclosed that he was “always looking for something” for the actor.
Superman debuts in US theaters on July 11, 2025.
Originally reported by Tamal Kundu on SuperHeroHype.
Source: Comingsoon.net