Warning! This article contains spoilers forSuperman.Supermanhas had many great live-action iterations, but after watching theDC Universe’s new take on the character, I’m convinced David Corenswet is the best Superman of all. Asthe world’s most easily recognizable superhero, Supermanhas become a golden standard in the comics and other media for what it means to be a hero.Many Superman movieshave been made.
The same goes forDC’s live-action series, with the Man of Steel having quite a few for different generations of fans. In my experience,no Superman actor has ever been truly bad. Sure, a few iterations have been better than others, especially in terms of the quality of their projects, but the actors themselves tend to deliver impactful performances.
Christopher Reeve was the first actor to play the Man of Steel in a movie— not counting the old film serials — and he set the bar incredibly high for everyone that would follow. While I don’t think another Superman actor managed to surpass Reeve until this year,James Gunn’s Superman moviehas me convinced that David Corenswet has for a few reasons.
The Best Versions Of Superman Balance The Character’s Both Sides Well
Clark Kent Has To Be As True To Himself As Superman
First, it is important to note what makes for the perfect live-action Superman. A key part of the character’s story is how he has two sides that need to be treated well and given the proper focus.Clark Kent, the Daily Planet’s mild-mannered reporter, should be shy, clumsy, and fun. Superman needs to be hopeful, compassionate, and optimistic.
Christopher Reeve is the golden standard in that regard, seamlessly transitioning between both personas with simple voice and postural changes.
While I mostly enjoyed Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel, he never made it into the group of best live-action Supermen due to how his version of the character did not allow both sides to shine. Be it due to directorZack Snyder’s unique take on the materialor other elements, Cavill never soared as high as his potential.
The best versions of Superman are those whose Clark Kent and Superman get equal focus and feel accurate to the iconic character from DC Comics. Christopher Reeve is the golden standard in that regard, seamlessly transitioning between both personas with simple voice and postural changes.Brandon Routh and Tyler Hoechlin also excelled as the bubbly Clark Kent and heroic Superman.
David Corenswet’s Superman Is As Inspiring As His Clark Kent Is Relatable
The DC Universe Could Not Have Cast A Better Superman
David Corenswet’s Superman in the new DC Universe is another iteration of the character to perfectly balance both sides of the hero. James Gunn made sure that the movie equally focused on the Man of Steel’s larger-than-life battles and influence on the world, as well as Clark Kent’s personal life and values. It made him feel likethe most relatable Superman.
Corenswet’s Clark Kent is up there with Reeve and Hoechlin’s as the best. He has the flair from the comics that we have come to expect, presenting a clumsy persona to the outside world.The DCU Clark is funny, charming, and vibrant. It helps that Gunn made sure to spotlight his upbringing with the Kents in the film, which was potent.
As for his Superman, this is the Man of Steel that I have wanted to see on the big screen since Reeve. After the darker DCEU Superman,the hero is back to his “Boy Scout” roots. No save is too small for Corenswet’s Superman, who stops battling a kaiju to save a squirrel and even tries to save the monster.
Superman is shown to genuinely care about people and the Earth time and again in the film. It is a perfect contrast to Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor, who wants to be loved by the world by tearing Superman down rather than uplifting others.Superman is inspiring through and through without feeling “Other,” like in the DCEU.
Gunn understands thatSuperman’s biggest strength is his humanity. Sure, he comes from Krypton. However, Superman chooses to be a protector of the world, and through the reveal that his parents' original plan was for him to conquer Earth, it becomes even more important that he chooses to be its savior instead. Corenswet plays it all in earnest, making his Superman generational.
The New Superman Is The First To Truly Exist In A Living And Breathing Comic Book World
Other Versions Of The Man Of Steel Have Tried But Never Reached The DCU’s Scope
Another point in favor of David Corenswet’s Superman being the best is how he is the only one to truly live in a major comic book world. While Tom Welling’s Clark inSmallville, Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman when he was in the Arrowverse, and Henry Cavill in the DCEU were attempts at that,the DCU is like no other universe.
AsSuperman’s opening crawl would explain, the world has seen metahumans for 300 years, with Corenswet’s Superman only being active for 3.There are so many heroes and villains active in the DCU, and the movie makes sure the audience understands that. The Justice Gang and how they differ from Superman and change for the better due to him was fantastic.
María Gabriela De Faría
Angela Spica/The Engineer
Superman already interacts with his cousin, Milly Alcock’s Supergirl, in his DCU debut, teasing that this corner of the franchise will be explored like never before in theaters. Lex Luthor is at his most comics-accurate yet among the cinematic versions, and every character really feels like they just jumped from DC Comics onto the big screen. The franchise’s potential is limitless.
I Can’t Wait To See David Corenswet’s Superman Evolve As The DCU Continues
Superman Can Be The Star Of The DC Universe For The Next Decade
Due to that, I can’t wait to see where David Corenswet’s Superman will go from here.In his DCU debut, he had to wrestle with the notion that he was not who he thought he was. Now that his identity is firmly established, and we saw how Corenswet perfectly balances both sides of the character, I believe the future looks even brighter.
Superman’s connection with other heroes can lead to the Justice League. His romance with Lois —Rachel Brosnahan and Corenswet had sizzling on-screen chemistry— could lead to marriage and kids, especially since Batman will be the father to Damian Wayne in the DCU, so Jon Kent should come.
David Corenswet is not only the best Superman, but the DCU can give him the most appearances, which I’ll gladly accept. WithJames Gunn having a 10-year plan for DCand Corenswet being contracted for at least one Superman sequel, the bestSupermancan stay on for some time.
