When James Gunn announced a rebooted Superman for 2025, Hollywood buzzed that David Corenswet – a 6’4” Juilliard-trained newcomer – had landed the cape. Corenswet, 32, will play Clark Kent as a 25-year-old hero learning his way in a new DC Universe; he’s the Man of Steel for a generation of fans who grew up on and off with Superman lore. This Gunn-helmed film, tentatively titled Superman: Legacy, promises “the embodiment of truth, justice and the American way” – and, intriguingly, “kindness in a world that thinks kindness is old-fashioned”. Its early promotional poster even declares simply: “It Begins.”
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From The Politician to Metropolis
Before stepping into Clark Kent’s boots, Corenswet broke onto the scene playing major roles in two queer-inclusive Ryan Murphy joints for Netflix. He first played River Barkley on The Politician (2019–20) – the wealthy, high-school athlete who is the secret boyfriend and sometime rival of Payton (Ben Platt). Next he portrayed Jack Castello in Hollywood (2020), a thinly veiled James Dean–type navigating closeted life in 1940s Tinseltown. Both series were explicitly LGBTQ-friendly, and Corenswet’s boyish good looks and sincere performances made him a favorite among queer viewers. An Out headline gushes that Netflix’s Hollywood cemented Corenswet as a “heartthrob”. In that sense, fans quickly seized on a playful notion that Clark Kent – and even his rivalry with Lex Luthor – might inherit a bit of that rainbow flair. Indeed, one journalist even noted that early photos of Corenswet’s new Superman costume prompted Twitter jests calling it “like a gay porn parody”. Gunn’s movie may not be explicitly a romance, but its cast and crew seem to wink at the homoerotic subtext even as they reassert classic Superman values.
Clark Kent, Daily Planet Journalist
Superman, originally imagined in the 1930s as a champion of the oppressed, was often seen as a socialist figure—taking on greedy landlords, corrupt politicians, and corporate tycoons long before he ever battled aliens. And he is a journalist.
Every superhero film has a journalist character— because behind every mask, there’s a story waiting to be told. From Clark Kent, Lois Lane, to Peter Parker – Spiderman, journalists are the ones who expose corruption, challenge power, and bring hidden truths to light. In a world of heroes and villains, the press remains the ultimate force for justice.
As always, Clark Kent’s day job anchors the story. In this film, Clark literally hides in plain sight – he works as a journalist at the Daily Planet in Metropolis . We’ve seen the trope since the 1930s: Superman’s alter ego is a star reporter chasing scoops by day. New screenshots of Corenswet on set show him carrying a briefcase and the Planet’s morning edition, glasses perched on his nose – just like the comics. Gunn emphasises that Clark is “becoming successful as both a journalist and a superhero”, suggesting that his devotion to truth has as much narrative weight as his powers. In other words, this Superman will wear two hats: the cape by night and the press badge by day, each identity shaping his moral compass. You might say he fights for justice in the newsroom as well as in the skies.
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You can simply scroll past — but please don’t overlook the importance of an independent queer press.
When every outlet was reluctant to cover Budapest Pride live, fearing the consequences, we and The Guardian were the only media to run a live text transmission.
When CK was shot, we were the first queer press to defend trans people, exposing the Wall Street Journal’s misleading claims. At that moment, nobody else had the courage to stand up.
When organisations were proven to be corrupt, we were the only ones to expose them—defending the people meant to receive support, not watching the money slip into the pockets of a few.
Donate over €25/month and receive our limited-edition tote bag — a badge of resistance, a statement that you stand for fearless journalism.
Thank you for standing with us.
Can’t contribute financially?
Sharing our articles helps more than you might think.
An Embrace of Enemies
On screen, Lex Luthor remains Clark’s arch-villain, and the new film explores that decades-old rivalry. But off camera, David Corenswet and Nicholas Hoult (cast as Luthor) are friendly. Rolling Stone and LGBTQ media have reported a lighthearted moment from Hoult’s recent interviews: prompted by his wife’s joke, Hoult asked Corenswet for a hug – and found it unexpectedly moving. “I did [ask him],” Hoult laughed on Armchair Expert, “and it felt warm inside”. The bald-headed Hoult, as beatifull as he ever was, (known for X-Men and Mad Max) is clearly delighted to feel cosy in Superman’s arms, a scene no doubt deleted from the final cut. Reporters have played up this anecdote as proof that the new Superman cast isn’t afraid of a little camp. Indeed, one PinkNews writer cheekily reminds readers: “See? Absolutely nothing untoward going on between the two Superman stars”, aside from public affection.
More seriously, the story of Hoult’s hug underlines that this Superman reboot is infused with warmth and community. The filmmakers have publicly committed to a “kindness”-driven Superman. Executive producer Peter Safran’s description (“kindness in a world that thinks of kindness as old-fashioned”) hints that compassion will factor into Clark’s challenges. And the real-world reaction – fans cooing over Lex and Superman sharing a friendly embrace – suggests audiences are ready for a boy-next-door Man of Steel. Even Lex seems almost amused: during the L.A. premiere, Corenswet photobombed Hoult’s interview with mock-snarl, and Hoult grinned along. The message is clear: these actors, at least, see Clark and Lex as human (if superhumanly buff) men who can hug it out when cameras aren’t rolling.
In the end, Superman (2025) looks set to launch a new chapter of the myth—one that wears its optimism on its sleeve even while winking at modern audiences. It is about a young man juggling deadlines and destiny, embracing truth both on the front page and in the skies. It is also about a Hollywood hero who came from queer-friendly series (Politician, Hollywood) stepping into an all-American role. For now, we’ll watch with a mix of nostalgic thrill and campy delight: the new Man of Steel may just be more inclusive (and genuine) than ever, pushing open a Metropolis newsroom and a new era all at once.
Superman (2025 film) is released in cinemas on 10 July in Europe and on 11 July in the UK and US.
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