David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan Are The Superman And Lois Lane Of The New DC Universe

The two star in 'Superman: Legacy', directed by James Gunn, co-CEO of DC Studios

Back in mid-May, frontrunners had emerged in the audition process for the roles of Clark Kent aka Superman and Lois Lane in DC Studios’s new DC Universe for film and TV. Today, the winners have been chosen: David Corenswet will play Superman, and Rachel Brosnahan will play Lois Lane, starting with Superman: Legacy.

Having tested in full costume and makeup on June 17 and 18 in front of DC Studios co-CEOs Peter Safran and James Gunn, the film’s writer and director, there were three pairings that were formed in the process: Brosnahan with Nicholas Hoult, Corenswet with Emma Mackey. and Tom Brittney with Phoebe Dynevor. The second day saw the men suit up with Mackey, leading to these results. It’s been said that now that Clark and Lois have been cast, the next phase is looking for the new Lex Luthor and Jimmy Olsen.

Corenswet had become the top name for Superman through the process. As an actor, he broke out with two Ryan Murphy Netflix series: The Politician and Hollywood. He recently starred in Pearl opposite Mia Goth and has appeared in the HBO series We Own This City. In his pipeline are the Apple series Lady in the Lake and Twister sequel Twisters. He has already been lauded by one other current Superman, Jack Quaid, of the soon-to-premiere Adult Swim animated series My Adventures with Superman, coming July 6. In response, Corenswet saluted Quaid. In a 2019 interview, he stated his longshot dream was to play Superman. While he appreciated Henry Cavill’s dark and gritty take but preferred the more traditional optimistic and upbeat version of the character, and that’s certainly what Gunn will be aiming for with Superman: Legacy.

Brosnahan’s career-making role in Prime Video’s The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel just completed airing its fifth and final season next month, having accrued numerous accolades including Emmys and Golden Globes, some for her work specifically. Her audition was reportedly considered “outstanding”, and what many have described as the “best audition of the process”. Her other film roles included Beautiful Creatures, The Finest Hours, and Patriots Day, and she appeared in 19 episodes of House of Cards, earning an Emmy nomination there before landing Miriam "Midge" Maisel.

Superman: Legacy is set to be released in theaters on July 11, 2025. It is the first film of the new DC Universe and its initial “Gods and Monsters” chapter, in a slate that includes the Batman film Brave and the Bold, directed by Andy Muschietti, Swamp Thing directed by James Mangold, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, and The Authority.

Sources: Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, Entertainment Weekly