"Hadn't been explored"- Superman star David Corenswet shows massive support for Zack Snyder's Man of Steel

In a recent interview with GQ, Superman star David Corenswet reflects upon the comments he made about Zack Snyder's 2013 film on the superhero, Man of Steel. Back in 2019, David Corenswet expressed his thoughts while speaking to Entertainment Weekly.

Six years later today, Corenswet makes his stance clear by reminiscing about his earlier interview as he talks about Zack Snyder's approach in his treatment of the character of Superman in Man of Steel. The film starred Henry Cavill as the superhero. Here's what David Corenswet mentions:

"And so, just like Chris Nolan took Batman and did something darker and more grounded with the character, Zack Snyder and Henry Cavill explored a side of Superman that hadn’t been explored on the big screen."

Let us find out more about what David Corenswet talks about in his previous comments on Zack Snyder's Man of Steel and what he said back in 2019.

"So, all I was saying was they’re doing it so well," reflects Superman star David Corenswet about his earlier comments on Zack Snyder's Man of Steel

Back in 2019, David Corenswet expressed his interest in pursuing the role of Superman in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Interestingly, his dream did come true, as he is starring as the iconic superhero in the upcoming James Gunn movie.

This is what Corenswet talked about: his vision of seeing a particular version of the superhero he would like to see in the future. In this version, the superhero is more sanguine and colorful, stating:

"But my pie-in-the-sky ambition is definitely to play Superman. I would love to see somebody do an upbeat, throwback [take on Superman]. I love the Henry Cavill dark and gritty take, but I would love to see the next one be very bright and optimistic."

However, today, in 2025, when David Corenswet spoke to GQ, he reflected on his earlier comments on Zack Snyder's Man of Steel. In the interview, he makes his old statements clear by mentioning:

"I think that’s the least interesting thing I could have said. Simply because with a great character like Superman, you want great artists and writers and actors to explore all of the possibilities of them. The one way they become boring is if you just keep doing the same thing over and over again."

Furthermore, the actor adds that apart from the gloomy versions of the superhero that have already been made, he is curious to see a different version of him, as he states:

"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, and let’s see the other side. In the same way, after Chris Nolan’s Batman films and after Matt Reeves and Robert Pattinson, there are a lot of people who are like, "Where’s our funny, campy, fantastical Batman?"

These superheroes are dynamic characters who have multiple layers to their characters. It is a given that multiple filmmakers should envision superheroes in different ways and show us diverse and nuanced facets of our favorite superhero figures. It is imperative to experiment and create endless possibilities for iconic figures, as we have witnessed the changing faces of superheroes over the years.

Whilst Zack Snyder's approach to the characterization of Superman in Man of Steel was on the murkier and intense side, James Gunn's version of the superhero in the upcoming 2025 film seems to show him in a completely different light altogether.

Going by the trailer and the promos, we do get a glimpse of the character treatment Gunn has created for Corenswet's embodiment of the superhero. This time, he seems to be gentler, softer, and more wholesome, and feels like a fresh breath of air.

The film is releasing on 11th July 2025.