Screen tests are already happening for James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy
The high-stakes casting process for James Gunn's Superman: Legacy has now reportedly begun
Aux News James Gunn
Is there a casting decision, on the planet, that’s facing more scrutiny right now than the lead in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman: Legacy? Gunn made waves last year when he announced, shortly after taking over DC Films, that the Superman film franchise would be parting ways with star Henry Cavill, as Gunn decided to reboot the series for a look at Clark Kent’s younger days. Now, after months of rumors, and a whole host of audition tapes, it sounds like Warner Bros. is finally ready to get some actors in the room to see how the outside-the-pants underwear actually fits.
This is per Deadline, which reports that screen tests have now been scheduled for the film, with actors David Corenswet (Pearl), Tom Brittney (Grantchester), and Nicholas Hoult (Lots Of Stuff) all apparently reading for the part of the Big Blue Boy Scout. That last name is especially interesting in so far as previous rumors floated Hoult as a frontrunner for the film’s take on villainous industrialist/bald man Lex Luthor.
This same report—which, we can’t help but note is basically begging for one of Gunn’s usual “Chill the hell out please” Twitter responses—also suggests that the hunt for Lois Lane is on as well, with Emma Mackey, Rachel Brosnahan, and Phoebe Dynevor all supposedly stepping up to test. The screen tests will supposedly take place two weeks from now. (DC Films has, of course, declined to comment on any of this.)
Superman: Legacy is a high-stakes endeavor even in the billion-dollar world of comic book movies; written and directed by Gunn, the film will, by its very nature, serve as a thesis on his tenure as the new co-head of Warner Bros.’ comic book movie empire—and an opportunity for critics and audiences to pass judgment on same. The film is currently scheduled for a July 2025 release.
32 Comments
So they get rid of Henry Cavill to tell a younger Superman story, and then cast someone who is older than Cavill was in Man of Steel?
I believe Cavill has aged roughly 10 years in the 10 years since MoS.
They haven’t cast anyone yet.
They seem to be primarily focusing on actor’s current ages, yes.
frankly i can’t believe they cast henry cavill, who was once a baby, as a ‘super man’
I guess I always pictured Superman having an American accent, but maybe that’s on me.
Yeah. I don’t know why Snyder didn’t make Cavill use one.
He did grow up in Kansas, so there’s that.
I dislike Superman so I only saw Justice League (and can barely recall it). Did Cavill use a British accent?
Finally got around to seeing Guardians 3. I’ve preferred Marvel over DC since I was a wee comic-reading nerdling in the 80s. And I never really “got” Superman. But with Gunn driving, I’m on board.
I still don’t get the superman craze. Of all the superheroes he’s the most predictable. The poorly-disguised rendering of him as a modern day Messiah is very creepy.
David Corenswet seems like the obvious choice.
AND he went to Julliard. Superman nerds will eat that easter egg up.
I’ll always be bummed that Brandon Routh never got a shot at growing the role. I thought he was great, even if the movie wasn’t.
I was so happy when he got to put on the cape again for the CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths.
I was able to screen test for this but afterwards I heard back that WB doesn’t want a “fat, ugly, stupid-looking Superman with bladder control problems.”
Pfft, whatever.
I hear good things about this Cenry Havill who just showed up to audition.
Yeah, the point of booting cavill was partly because they don’t want a 40 year old and partly because they want a clean break from the Snyder bullshit.
What they really need is someone who looks good in white and blue.
And white and red.
Nicholas Hoult is an interesting choice. Great actor but I’d never have thought of him for the role.
Yeah, I’m a big fan of Hoult ever since About a Boy, but I have a hard time seeing him as Superman. Not because he’s not handsome and talented (because obviously, he’s both). But his build just seems all wrong for it. And I know, you can add bulk, but he’s very lanky/long-limbed and just naturally has a very slight build. He’s much more of a Reed Richards-type, to me. Then again, Antony Starr is a thin dude and obviously they use padding to help fill out that Homelander suit and it looks good, so who knows.
I’m fairly certain that it’s a misdirect and they are actually testing him for Lex Luthor. Which, if you’ve seen “The Great”, he is more than up to. He’s surprisingly adept at portraying subtly layered yet theatrical villainy.
That makes sense, I can see that working.
I am already dreading the conversations that are incoming about how Gunn saved or didn’t save the DC movie – verse, the reappraisal of Snyder’s Superman, the endless comparisons, the zealotry fights between snyder and Gunn’s defenders… Uff, I am exhausted just by the thought.
I’ll be honest, reading this post is like hearing someone say, “I’m already dreading the hangover,” as they pour a drink. For your own good: nobody, anywhere, ever has to engage in conversations (light along fight) about superhero movies. It’s better to appreciate them as a weird part of the internet climate that occasionally spills into reality.
However I never said that I would be part of them, at least not online. Not engaging and avoiding clicking on the articles or comment threads about those topics are actions that can coexist with the a eye rolling that occurs when you go to a website such as this and see that every other topic is about one of the many that I previously mentioned. To further your analogy into something closer to what I meant, is akin to wanting to have a quiet place to enjoy a beer but everyone in the bar is being loud and abnoxious.
i just watched a bunch of the fleischer bros superman cartoons from the 40s for the first time and it’s actually insane how good* they are. they arguably nailed the perfect superman adaptation 80 years ago. *and also incredibly racist against japanese people
I didn’t know who any of those actors were, but Tom Brittney -really- looks like he could be related to Henry Cavill.
My first thought was, “isn’t Rachel Brosnahan too old for Lois Lane?” but she’s only 32! She just always seemed older on Mrs. Maisel.
Is there a casting decision, on the planet, that’s facing more scrutiny right now than the lead in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman: Legacy?What on earth are those commas for?
Shatnerian rhythm.