David Corenswet’s Superman Audition Tops James Gunn’s Take

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David Corenswet’s audition tape for Superman has become a viral sensation and for good reason.

In contrast to how the character is portrayed in James Gunn’s theatrical version – where he can be quite emotional, occasionally sulky, and prone to fiery outbursts towards Lois Lane – the audition presents a more nuanced and earthbound interpretation of the legendary superhero.

A Calmer, More Classic Superman in the Audition Tape

During the audition, Corenswet delivers a controlled and thoughtful act. He manages to keep his cool, portraying a reserved Clark Kent character yet radiating an understated sense of power.

In scenes featuring Lois (as portrayed by Julia Warner in the video submission), he steers clear of excessive theatrics, opting instead for a display of assurance and precision – qualities that resonate with audiences as classic traits of Superman.

As a movie-goer taking in a recent performance, I must say, Clark’s acting was nothing short of remarkable. He effortlessly slid into his role, and the culmination of the scene was a silent yet powerful display that provided much-needed respite from the film’s more dramatic moments. It’s a breath of fresh air to witness such understated grace on screen.

The BTS Featurette: Gunn and Corenswet Spar Over Superman’s Emotional Tone

As a film buff, I can’t help but share some exciting insights from the recently unveiled backstage video. It offers a captivating glimpse into a significant creative disagreement that unfolded between James Gunn and Corenswet during production – a behind-the-scenes drama that added an extra layer of intrigue to the filmmaking process!

In their disagreement, they debated passionately about the emotional depth required in Superman’s speech during the climax. Gunn advocated for a deeply moving performance, one that would be heartfelt, intense, and revealing vulnerability.

Corenswet paused, sensing that the actions were out of character for the composed and reserved persona he knew as Clark.

The controversy

Fans have found James Gunn’s interpretation of Superman to be controversial, as the movie has earned less than expected at the box office, with a total of $600 million – significantly lower than Matt Reeves’ The Batman and even Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel when you take inflation into account. Notably, Gunn’s Superman film didn’t resonate well with international viewers.

In my opinion, the movie is great, but during my critique, I noted that Superman seemed to be among the least well-developed characters within the film. However, I found the portrayal of Superman in the initial screen test far more compelling compared to his final depiction.

I can’t wait to observe how Gunn might reshape things moving forward. After all, Superman isn’t just a whiny infant; he’s the embodiment of steel.

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2025-08-25 23:01