Cover The stars of ‘Superman’ (from left) Nicholas Hoult, Rachel Brosnahan and David Corenswet begin an exciting, new chapter for the iconic superhero. (Photo: River Callaway / Variety / Getty Images)
The stars of ‘Superman’ (from left) Nicholas Hoult, Rachel Brosnahan and David Corenswet begin an exciting, new chapter for the iconic superhero. (Photo: River Callaway / Variety / Getty Images)
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Where have you seen the ‘Superman’ cast before? Discover the roles that led David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult and their co-stars to DC’s bold new beginning
James Gunn’s Superman has landed with real momentum, debuting to an over 80 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes and early reactions calling it “a triumph”. But its emotional core—its clarity, warmth and sense of renewal—isn’t just the result of smart writing or bold direction. It’s rooted in the cast. Gunn’s ensemble isn’t built on marquee names alone, but on actors who’ve shaped their voice through varied, often unconventional paths.
David Corenswet, once a young theatre actor in Philadelphia, brings Juilliard-honed gravity to Clark Kent. Rachel Brosnahan arrives fresh off an Emmy-winning run in The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, her timing and tenacity a perfect fit for Lois Lane. And Nicholas Hoult, who’s spent two decades toggling between prestige dramas and genre chaos, delivers a Lex Luthor charged with icy intellect.
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From black-box stages to global blockbusters, these are performers who’ve refined their instincts across mediums and genres. Together, they give Metropolis something fresh: a cast that feels lived-in, earned and entirely new.
David Corenswet (Superman / Clark Kent)
David Corenswet steps into a cultural legacy as DC’s new Superman. Before landing the role, Corenswet quietly built a résumé that reads like a launchpad for stardom. His breakout came via Ryan Murphy’s The Politician and Hollywood, where he played ambitious, idealistic characters who navigated corrupt systems—a fitting prelude to Clark Kent. More recently, he led Netflix’s moody thriller Look Both Ways and made a mark in HBO’s miniseries We Own This City.
With an imposing 6’4” frame and a presence that recalls Christopher Reeve’s charm with Henry Cavill’s gravitas, Corenswet brings both classical training (via Juilliard) and modern edge. Superman isn’t his first starring role, but it’s the one his entire career has quietly been building toward.
Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane)
Rachel Brosnahan’s casting as Lois Lane raised expectations for the film. Known for her whip-smart, fast-talking charisma in The Marvelous Mrs Maisel, she already owned the journalistic cadence and emotional intelligence that define Lois. Brosnahan wrapped Maisel with five Emmy nominations and a win, making her a critically lauded actress. Post-Maisel, she pivoted into darker territory with the thriller I'm Your Woman, showing her dramatic range. With years of acclaimed work behind her, she steps into the role with authority.
Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor)
Nicholas Hoult’s turn as Lex Luthor feels inevitable. From his boyish charm in About a Boy to the raw ambition he displayed in The Great, Hoult has quietly become one of the most versatile actors working today. His recent roles (Peter III in The Great, Renfield in the horror-comedy of the same name and a chilling performance in The Menu) have showcased his ability to switch between vulnerability and menace with ease. He brings a cool, calculating intellectualism to Lex, one shaped by years of genre-defying performances.
Nathan Fillion (Guy Gardner)
Nathan Fillion’s live-action debut as Guy Gardner is fan service in the best possible way. After years of voicing Hal Jordan in the DC Animated Movie Universe, his casting as the abrasive Gardner is both a left turn and a perfect fit. Outside of leading roles in Firefly and Castle, Fillion has also appeared in The Rookie, where he blended leadership with occasional comic relief. His long-standing relationship with James Gunn (see: The Suicide Squad, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3) also ensures Gardner won’t just be a sidekick, but a fully realised, scene-stealing presence.
Isabela Merced (Hawkgirl)
Isabela Merced’s performance in Rosaline showed off her comedic timing, while her role in Sweet Girl alongside Jason Momoa confirmed her action chops. With Madame Web adding a Marvel credit to her name, she’s now poised to make a permanent mark on the DC Universe. Merced’s bilingual music career also hints at the emotional range she brings to her characters—an essential tool for embodying Hawkgirl, a character who straddles the ancient and the alien.
Sara Sampaio (Eve Teschmacher)
Sara Sampaio’s transition from model to actress has been strategic. After appearances in Carga, Wifelike and Crisis, the Victoria’s Secret Angel enters blockbuster territory with Superman. Her casting as Eve Teschmacher, Lex Luthor’s trusted (and often underestimated) assistant, adds glamour and intrigue to the character, especially if Eve’s loyalties prove to be more complicated than they appear.
Edi Gathegi (Mister Terrific)
Mister Terrific’s superpower is intellect, and Edi Gathegi, a seasoned stage actor with NYU credentials and a strong sci-fi portfolio, is a perfect fit to reinvent the character for a wider audience. The actor’s roles include Dev Ayesa in For All Mankind and memorable turns in StartUp and The Harder They Fall, where he brought gravitas and intelligence to morally ambiguous characters.
Anthony Carrigan (Metamorpho)
Anthony Carrigan’s gift is blending physical comedy, tragic backstory and charisma, all of which make his take on Metamorpho one of the most anticipated wild cards in Superman. Best known for his work in the HBO series Barry, where his character NoHo Hank became one of the most beloved antiheroes on television, the actor brings a unique energy to a hero cursed with powers he never asked for.
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After more than a decade in lifestyle media, Clifford has mastered the art of writing seriously about things that are fun—and writing fun things about people who take themselves very seriously. At Tatler Asia, he helped steer its flagship lists, Tatler’s Most Influential and Asia’s Most Stylish. And today, he leads T-Labs, Tatler Asia’s content innovation hub, where he continues the noble pursuit of lifestyle storytelling, spinning stories on wealth, entertainment, necessary style, Hallyu, Hollywood, beauty and more for audiences across Asia.
