James Gunn Would Have Let Superman Die Before Settling For The Wrong Actor

After what seems like an eternity-long wait, James Gunn's Superman will hit screens in just a few days. But according to the director, the project would never have got off the ground if David Corenswet hadn't auditioned for the titular role.

Speaking to GQ, Gunn revealed that he was prepared to scrap the entire movie before settling for the wrong actor. "I said from the beginning, 'If I don't find Superman, I'm not going to do this movie,'" he explained. "Because I knew that this was dependent on the guy that's playing Superman." The director's casting dilemma was largely due needing an actor who could keep up with the film's "tonally complex" mix of "drama, comedy, and action."

As a result, finding someone who could bring Clark Kent to life in line with his vision for the character was challenging. "I couldn't go for someone that didn't work," Gunn continued. "I couldn't go for someone that had the look, but didn't have the chops. I couldn't go for someone that had the chops but didn't have the look. 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."

Fortunately, Corenswet had everything Gunn was looking for. "The easy part is, he looks like Superman," Gunn explained. "But the fact that David is a theater kid that's so athletic is even weirder. I don't know if anybody I've worked with before would've been able to do this stuff." According to the DC Studios boss, the only other person capable of pulling off the role, with all its physical and emotional expectations, is Guardians of the Galaxy alum Chris Pratt.

David Corenswet Wants His Version of Superman To Be Different

Corenswet talked about the role and how his Superman is different from Zack Snyder's Man of Steel. "The one way they become boring is if you just keep doing the same thing," the actor explained. "Just like Chris Nolan took Batman and did something darker with the character, Zack Snyder and Henry Cavill explored a side of Superman that hadn't been explored on the big screen. So, all I was saying was they're doing it so well. Whenever they're finished, I'd love to see the next one go the other way."

Per the official synopsis, "Superman follows the titular superhero as he reconciles his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. He is the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way in a world that views this as old-fashioned." Along with Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, the movie stars Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, and more.

Superman hits theaters worldwide on July 11.

Source: GQ