In December 2022, James Gunn announced that he was already writing for a new Superman movie, and the role will be recast for a younger actors, so this DC film does not involve Henry Cavill.
There were more details and a title revealed at the end of January 2023; when Gunn and Peter Safran announced some of the projects from the first chapter of the DC Universe: ‘Gods & Monsters’.
What is the new Superman movie about?
The film is to be called Superman: Legacy. Safran is hoping that James Gunn will also direct. (Update: Gunn is confirmed to the director).
During the DC Universe announcement event Peter Safran said this:
It’s not an origin story. It focuses on Superman balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Superman represents truth, justice and the American way. He is kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old fashioned.
Peter Safran’s Superman Legacy details.
Superman: Legacy will be based on Grant Morrison’s comics and is still set in the city of Metropolis; where this will be focusing on a younger Clark Kent, who is around 25 years old. Update: March 23, 2023: casting for the actor will not be limited to people in their twenties.
Clark will also already have a job at The Daily Planet, alongside managing his time as a superhero. There’s not been a villain revealed for the story yet.
A search for the next Superman
The role is so iconic, and there has only been 10 actors to play the titular character in live-action. Who could be the lucky 11th?
Previous actors have all been over 6 foot with black or brown hair and a muscular/athletic build. It’s important that actors can also play a great Clark Kent, while also giving a strong/confident screen presense; when it comes to switching to a powerful Kryptonian superhero.
Some of these actors are my picks combined with other fan-castings, that have been spotted online. These are all essentially rising stars, at the beginning of their careers.
David Corenswet
David Corenswet is 29, and has a height of 6ft 4″, he’s certainly got the look and height for the role. Corenswet gave a great performance in his recent work starring alongside Mia Goth in 2022 movie ‘Pearl’.
There’s been plenty of fans online deepfaking/creating fan art of David Corenswet for the role, for a couple of years now. Update: David Corenswet has officially been cast as Superman, in James Gunn’s movie, alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane.
Jacob Elordi
Jacob Elordi is currently 25 years old and his height is 6ft 5/6″. The Australian actor is most known for his roles in Netflix’ The Kissing Booth franchise and Euphoria.
Elordi has also recently been in a film called Deep Water; starring alongside Ben Affleck and Ana De Armas. The latest film the actor is working on is due to be another iteration of Elvis – directed by Sofia Coppola.
Drake Rodger
Drake Rodger is 25 years old and is 6ft 3″. The actor does currently work for Warner Bros. Television, as he stars as a young John Winchester, alongside actors; Meg Donnelly and Tom Welling, in a Supernatural spin-off series called The Winchesters.
Wolfgang Novogratz
My top pick for the role; Wolfgang Novogratz height is 6ft 2″, and he is currently 25 years old. His filmography is small, however from the scenes that I’ve seen, he brings a good sense of charisma and upflifting energy to his performances.
Novogratz’ recent work was in Feel the Beat (2020) and Yes, God, Yes (2020); starring alongside Stranger Things star; Natalie Dyer.
So far, James Gunn has made it clear that casting has not yet begun for the role of Superman. Casting will be happening when the script is finished or close to finishing.
Superman: Legacy releases in cinemas on July 11, 2025.
Do you have any of other actors to suggest for the role? Let us know via our Twitter page @chatterboxfilm
