‘Superman’ exposes Man of Steel’s vulnerable, more human side

Truly a James Gunn movie, the latest superhero film “Superman,” starring David Corenswet (Clark Kent/Superman), Rachel Brosnahan (Lois Lane) and Nicholas Hoult (Lex Luthor), signals a fresh start for a new era in the DC Universe.

The movie injects humor and themes of hope, love and family while exploring Superman’s vulnerability and human side as he faces off against Lex’s machinations. In the end, Superman triumphs with the help of Lois, his superpowered dog Krypto and a few superhero allies.

David, who celebrated his birthday last July 8, shared during a press conference in Manila how preparing physically for the iconic role mirrored Superman’s own sense of isolation in the film.

This was when he began working out, specifically on his shoulders, at James’ request.

“Soon after we had this conversation, the actors were on strike. And so, James and I didn’t talk for several months, and we had no contact with the studio. All I had was my own decision,” David recalled. “James had very kindly said, ‘You’re in good shape, but I want you to work on your shoulders.’

“It sounded to me like a pretty minor request. He didn’t say, ‘Look, you’re a skinny guy and you’ve got to put on a lot of weight.’ But that was my thought. In Christopher Reeve’s words, I’ve been a string bean my whole life, and Superman is not a string bean. So I decided I wanted to put on as much weight as I could, reasonably and healthily. And I’ve sort of wanted to do that my whole life.”

David took the challenge seriously, hitting the gym six days a week for three hours — a first for him.

“All my time was spent eating, or thinking about eating, or digesting, or in the gym, or sleeping after the gym. But in the gym, at the 90-minute or two-hour mark, I felt deeply alone,” he mused. “Because at that moment, it is just you and the weights. I had a great trainer, but he was only on FaceTime. So I could turn him off if I really needed to.”

Undergoing a transformation like that felt like “you against your own mind,” he said. “Even when you’re in the gym with other people, you feel alone.”

That was the first time he truly connected with a core part of Superman’s identity.

“He struggles with feeling lonely, isolated and alienated from the people he loves most — Lois, his colleagues at the Daily Planet, his adoptive parents, his birth parents, and ultimately, humanity,” he said. “He wants desperately to belong and be connected. But he fears that he isn’t. And I thought, ‘What a universal human experience — to be surrounded by people and still feel lonely.’ That was my first way into the character.”

The reboot

The 2025 movie also explores Superman’s Kryptonian roots, his bond with his adoptive human family and his life in Metropolis as a journalist.

For David, rebooting the character made it easier. “It’s not that the origin story isn’t important — it is. It’s just that we didn’t have to see it play out again, like you don’t have to explain every single detail when a character already means something in the public consciousness,” he said.

“The origin story still plays an essential role in his development and his crisis in this film. But it’s much more fun to jump into the action—where you’re getting your ass kicked and you’ve got to fight back.”

David added, “And then the next thing that happens is he breaks into his girlfriend’s (Lois) apartment, and that’s another great... it’s happening now, and the stakes are about this moment. Does she like me? Does she hate me? Will she let me off the hook or not?”

“As an actor, that’s so much easier to play than, ‘This moment’s important because 20 years from now, you’ll finally become Superman.’ I was grateful to James for being willing to take that leap.”

The Superman James loved

James Gunn (“Guardians of the Galaxy,” “The Suicide Squad”) had loved Superman since he was a kid, but it was producer Peter Safran who had been “bugging” him for 10 years to make a “Superman” film.

“It wasn’t until one day that I just saw the movie in my head — and how it could be a different kind of Superman. The Superman I fell in love with from the comic books,” James said.

“I saw Superman in a world of superheroes, surrounded by superhero friends, the Daily Planet gang, a flying dog, giant monsters... this other world I became immersed in as a child, even before I could read.”

He wanted to bring that childlike wonder into a film that both kids and adults could enjoy — one that’s still grounded, with real people, real relationships, flaws and growth.

James, who also wrote the film, jumped at the chance to bring this version of Superman to life. “I didn’t change anything about him. I just gave him more life and more layers, and focused on a moment we haven’t seen much: when he’s falling in love.”

‘Love team’ moment

Speaking of love, James, David and Rachel were amused by the Filipino concept of a love team during the Manila presscon. It came up when host Justin Quirino brought it up.

“Wait, wait, wait — what’s a love team?” James asked.

Justin explained it was when two actors are romantically linked throughout their careers.

The three nodded, “Ahh, that’s a love team.”

James then teased the on-screen couple, who were holding hands: “You are so…! Haha!”

Though David and Rachel are both married to other people in real life, their chemistry on screen is undeniable.

“Superman” is now showing in cinemas nationwide.