3 Reasons Henry Cavill’s Replacement David Corenswet’s ‘Superman’ Might Work Better Than ‘The Witcher’ Actor

Published 12/20/2024, 9:22 PM EST

The upcoming Superman, created by James Gunn, will be David Corenswet’s first foray into Hollywood's blockbuster territory. But this role did not come without its share of doubts and drama. After all, he was stepping in for Henry Cavill, who has become synonymous with Superman since 2013's Man of Steel and several other Zack Snyder films. When The Witcher actor parted ways with the DC role, many fans claimed that no one could fill his shoes. But Corenswet might not just fill Cavill’s shoes—he could also end up taking the character to new heights.

Here are three reasons why Corenswet’s Superman movie could easily outshine Cavill’s time as the Man of Steel in the DC universe.

A more positive, light and hearty feel to Superman

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First, one of the most practical reasons behind replacing Henry Cavill is that it gives DC Studios a clean slate. This movie, along with the whole rebooted DC Universe that James Gunn and Peter Safran have been building, can now start fresh. If Cavill had stayed in the role, he would have come with the baggage of the DCEU canon—the past storylines and character arcs that have already been established. David Corenswet himself has said earlier that he would like a more “upbeat, throwback” take on Superman, which fits perfectly with this new direction.

In 2019, Corenswet was asked about his striking resemblance to Cavill by Entertainment Tonight. He said that while he appreciated Cavill’s “dark and gritty” Superman, he wanted the next version to have a brighter, more optimistic direction. And the second the teaser for the 2025 movie dropped, it was clear this new Superman is going to be sunny, hopeful, and a throwback to the classic, feel-good vibes of the franchise.

The 2025 Superman is already looking much more comic accurate

Since the Superman teaser dropped, fans have been praising the movie’s color grading and overall comic-book accuracy. There has been a lot of love for the return of the brighter tone in David Corenswet's Superman costume, after the makers destroyed Henry Cavill's suit (accidentally). Corenswet's suit included the classic red trunks that have been missing from recent portrayals of the character. It is a sign that this new version will be a lot closer to the version fans know and love from the comics.

Speaking of comic accuracy, there is also the return of Superman’s red underwear and his canine sidekick, Krypto. Krypto, who has been part of Superman’s story since the 1950s, has rarely made any appearances in the movies, but here he is finally making a big return. This speaks to the more classic take on Superman that Corenswet seems to be bringing to the role. 

James Gunn Makes Haunting Confession About Leaving ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ Humor Behind for ‘Superman’

In fact, not just Superman—other characters like Mister Terrific are also getting comic-book-accurate costumes, with his classic black, white, and red Fair Play jacket.

Fans can trust James Gunn's vision for Superman

James Gunn’s Superman is shaping up to redefine the Man of Steel for a whole new generation. The first teaser for the DCU’s Superman movie made it clear that Gunn completely gets what fans hated about the DCEU’s version of the character. His take on Superman is all about showing the best side of America—optimistic, hopeful, and strong. 

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Unlike Zack Snyder’s more somber, brooding Man of Steel, Gunn’s vision for Superman has the touch of relatability. He wants to build a DC Universe where magic, power, and superheroes exist right alongside everyday struggles and personal flaws. It is a more human take on these larger-than-life characters, and it is exactly the kind of Superman fans have been waiting for.

Ryan Reynolds Showers 3 Thrilling Words for James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ Ahead of Awaited Trailer

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What do you think about David Corenswet's Superman? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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Hriddhi Maitra

2041 articles

Hriddhi Maitra is a Hollywood News reporter at Netflix Junkie. An enthusiastic movie buff, Hriddhi found her true calling when she worked as a Cinema Content Writer at My Cinema Story while analyzing movies objectively, and offering constructive feedback. Coming from a background where she worked in different niches like finance, food, travel, medicines, automobile, and entertainment, we can safely say she is a jack of all trades.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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