David Corenswet Had ‘Pie-in-the-Sky Ambition’ to Play Superman, Compared Himself to Henry Cavill

Newly-minted Superman: Legacy star David Corenswet wants to play a more “optimistic” Superman. In fact, it’s something he’s wanted for a long time.

During a newly-resurfaced interview with Entertainment Weekly from 2019, he revealed that he always wanted to play Superman, and would do things differently to Henry Cavill.

“I would love to see somebody do an upbeat, throwback,” he said. “I love the Henry Cavill dark and gritty take, but I would love to see the next one be very bright and optimistic.”

Corenswet was officially cast as Superman alongside Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. The pair had been contenders for the roles for some time and surfaced as firm favorites during recent screen tests.

However, since his casting, Superman fans have begun pointing out that Corenswet actually looks a lot like Cavill. It turns out, those comparisons have been mentioned for some time.

“It came to my attention before the internet got a hold of me,” he said back in 2019. “But my pie-in-the-sky ambition is definitely to play Superman.”

Now, it looks as though Corenswet’s dream has come true.

The actor revealed that playing Superman was his biggest ambition, and it looks as though a more optimistic Man of Steel might even tie into DC boss James Gunn’s plans for the character.

“The next Superman has to be someone who has all the humanity that Superman has but he’s also an alien,” he told Variety. “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.”

My pie-in-the-sky ambition is definitely to play Superman

Superman: Legacy will tell the story of a young Superman and is one of five upcoming DC movies and TV shows to make up Chapter 1 of the new DCU. James Gunn will both write and direct the movie but assured fans that it won’t have the same vibe as his earlier Marvel fare, Guardians of the Galaxy.

Superman: Legacy will debut in theaters on July 11, 2025.

Want to read more about Superman: Legacy? Check out how the DCU will differ from the MCU as well as the DC superhero team rumored to make an appearance in the movie.

Ryan Leston is an entertainment journalist and film critic for IGN. You can follow him on Twitter.