David Corenswet on Becoming a Dad, Playing Superman, and the Legacy of Christopher Reeve
The Superman actor opens up candidly in an interview with People ahead of the movie’s release, discussing fatherhood, his family, and the influence of his late dad.
A month before Superman hits cinemas worldwide, lead star David Corenswet sat down with People to discuss the role that could make or break him. In the interview, the 31-year-old actor opened up about his journey from theater to Hollywood, the legacy of Christopher Reeve, and the people who mattered the most: his family.
Before donning the red cape, Corenswet was best known for playing River in Ryan Murphy’s The Politician. In 2024, he starred opposite Glenn Powell as the antagonist in Twisters.
Here’s what David had to say about fatherhood, influence, and stepping into Superman’s boots.
Fatherhood, On and Off Set
“I feel like I have been a dad for a long time and just waited for a kid to prove it,” David shared. “My dad was an enthusiastic father and stayed home with my sister for a period when she was very little, and was very good with kids. And so I think I just inherited that.”
That intuition became reality when he and his wife, actress Julia Warner, welcomed a daughter midway through filming Superman. The family now resides in Philadelphia.
But his fatherly instincts extend beyond his household. According to David, he’s often been seen as the “dad” of every cast and crew he works with, known for his quiet protectiveness and calm leadership on set.
And Julia? She played a pivotal role in landing him the part.
“She helped me make my first self-tape for the part, and she felt, at that point, that I should get the role,” he recalled.
How His Late Father Led Him to the Stage
David’s father, John Corenswet, was also an actor and a constant source of inspiration.
“I think he just saw an audition notice for a nine-year-old boy in All My Sons, which is a great Arthur Miller play. He asked if I was interested, and I guess I said yes,” David said, remembering his first foray into theater.
Getting paid, he said, was just a bonus. “I think I actually got a portion of it, and the other went to LEGOs. That was definitely my vice,” he laughed.
One touching detail he shared about his dad was that he used to give David subway tokens as good luck charms before auditions. One of them, a token from the New York subway, remains with him today as a quiet reminder of his father’s belief in him.
“I think, like a lot of parents, he felt I was underappreciated by the people around me. He thought I was terrific, and that somebody should be making better use of David,” he said. “I think James [Gunn, Superman director] has done just that. I was able to give everything I have to this film and our crew. So I think my dad would be happy that I’ve been put to good use.”
Wearing the Cape, Carrying the Legacy
As he prepares to take flight as Superman, David is keenly aware of the legacy he’s stepping into, particularly that of Christopher Reeve, who famously played the role in four films.
Like Reeve, Corenswet graduated from Juilliard, and Reeve’s presence was felt throughout his training.
“He was someone we talked about a lot as an alumnus — someone to admire and look up to,” David said.
He recalled watching some of Reeve’s early interviews and being struck by his candor. “He had the graciousness of the trade of playing the role, especially at that time when he did two bold things: he left the theater to play Superman on screen — which was considered selling out — and he took on a role in tights and a cape.”
For David, stepping into the role isn’t about fame — it’s about responsibility.
“So much in the life of an actor is up to chance and good luck. And you get what you make of your situation,” he said. “But the reason I thought it was impossible to play Superman was because it felt impossible for anyone. The odds of being the right age, at the right time, with the right director are nearly impossible.”
“I think of it as a great stroke of luck. And now I better do everything I can to earn the responsibility.”
Superman hits Philippine cinemas on July 9.
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