‘I Feel So Lucky’: Why Superman’s David Corenswet Appreciates His Viral On-Set Debate With James Gunn

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David Corenswet has been getting a lot of attention this year, especially with the success of Superman at the box office. Now, he’s talking about a video that went viral – a clip showing him having a lively discussion with director James Gunn while filming. Rather than avoiding the topic, Corenswet is using the opportunity to share what that conversation meant to him.

During a discussion with Jonathan Bailey for Variety‘s Actors on Actors, David Corenswet talked about why he appreciates collaborative creative work. He particularly enjoys working with directors like James Gunn, who meticulously plans scenes with storyboards but also encourages actors to contribute their ideas and even respectfully disagree. Gunn was so pleased with a moment they shared on set that he proudly posted the footage on social media, calling it a highlight of the filming process. Corenswet then went on to describe his experience with that specific interaction.

It’s great that everything was captured on film, and it was fascinating to hear people’s reactions – some thought it was typical, while others felt it showed a really difficult work situation. Honestly, this kind of dynamic happens to me frequently. I was really impressed by James’s patience; he rarely seemed frustrated with me, probably because he understood I was challenging things because I thought I might have a different perspective he’d appreciate. I don’t want a director to just let me take the lead – I’m not doing it for my own benefit. I’m hoping to contribute something valuable that they’ll ultimately embrace as their own idea.

What sets this rising star apart is their down-to-earth nature and understanding of themselves, qualities they consistently showed during the interview. Corenswet shared that he’s always questioned things, a habit that started back in his theater school days. He then explained further:

I honestly don’t know any other way to approach acting. I received this feedback a lot in theater school, and it was a valuable lesson. Actors need to be able to let go and not wait for the perfect moment. When I was starting out, I used to wait until I felt ready to perform an action. But I learned that it’s better to just do it – to start the movement or say the line even before you feel fully prepared.

The tension between trusting your gut and letting go is clearly visible in footage James Gunn posted on Instagram. The clip, from the documentary Adventures of Making Superman, shows a lively discussion about Clark Kent’s final speech to Lex Luthor. Gunn repeatedly encouraged David Corenswet to emphasize Superman’s emotional fragility, while Corenswet, known for his work in Pearl, questioned the reasoning behind such a strong emotional outburst from the character.

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This was a rare moment on set – a calm, respectful disagreement played out in front of everyone. Surprisingly, it ended with the lead actor going back to filming and nailing a scene so powerful it moved the heads of DC Studios to tears.

Below is the video Gunn posted, giving fans a real-time look at the moment:

It’s easy to see why David Corenswet is a convincing Superman. He brings a thoughtful combination of sensitivity and accuracy to the role, much like the approach he took to a discussion on set. This attention to detail really shines through in the final film, and this clip actually made me appreciate the development of Clark Kent’s character even more. Corenswet’s performance, combined with James Gunn’s vision for the DC Universe, makes the movie worth watching – either again, or for the first time if you haven’t had the chance yet.

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2025-12-07 20:09