Superman Legacy’s casting process has already begun. The film has just announced its casting for Lois Lane and Superman/Clark Kent himself. Actors Rachel Brosnahan and David Corenswet are the future of these iconic characters. Both actors have shown range in other projects, with Rachel Brosnahan winning Emmy Awards. Corenswet, on the other hand, is not an award winner but has a difficult task ahead. He is due to play one of the most iconic characters in entertainment media.
The traits of playing Superman/Clark Kent might sound easy on paper. What makes it a challenge is the balancing of those traits. Corenswet has a tall order ahead of him to play this iconic character. To play him successfully, he has to connect certain character traits.
Without connecting the traits of both Clark and Superman, it can be difficult to bring him to life. The first necessary trait comes from Clark Kent. To properly play Superman, Corenswet has to nail the balance of heart and humility.
Corenswet Has to Balance Heart and Humility
One of Clark Kent’s defining character traits is his overwhelming kindness. No matter how dorky the character is portrayed, he always looks out for the little guy. Clark is someone who tries to help those who might not be able to help themselves. His ability to stand up for the little guy is a trait that was instilled in him. While it is something he learned from his father, Jor-El, it is also something he learned from his adoptive parents.
Ma and Pa Kent taught Clark lessons he carried with him into being a hero. Both characters wanted to instill different values in him. Ma Kent (Martha Kent) taught Clark about having a heart. Pa Kent (Jonathan Kent) taught him more about having themes of humility. His lessons were harder for Clark to learn by explaining that he couldn’t save everyone.
It is a lesson that forces Clark to make the most of his actions. Learning that from his father forces him to remain humble. Being able to admit to himself that he can’t always be a hero is one of the toughest lessons Clark can learn. That outlook can keep the character incredibly jaded if not for Martha Kent’s influence.
The influence of both Ma and Pa Kent was best portrayed in Christopher Reeve's Superman films. In those films, their teachings allowed Reeves to properly embody Superman’s essence. He balanced the heart and humility of the character in ways that James Gunn hopes to replicate.
Balancing those traits can help Corenswet keep the character's original essence. If that balance is properly struck, he can easily manifest what it takes for Superman. To play Superman, Corenswet has to embody a different set of traits.
Corenswet Has to Balance Courage and Honor
Henry Cavill’s Superman was met with a more divisive response from audiences. Some loved his more emotionally conflicted take. Other’s felt he did not nail the balance between Clark Kent and Superman himself. His appearances garnered some great moments, but something seemed to be missing. The character of Superman never had the same “weight on his shoulders” that Cavill's interpretation did. For Corenswet to embody those missing traits, he has to have Superman’s Patriotism.
To have Superman’s Patriotism, he has to have a balance of courage and honor. Thankfully, Corenswet has shown he is up to embody those traits, thanks to other projects. While he has appeared in films before, his television roles have the characteristics of Superman.
Shows like HBO’s We Own This City have shown the tough exterior he needs for Superman. It is his two shows from creator Ryan Murphy that explain why he has what it takes to play Superman. Hollywood and The Politician help to embody the values of the character.
On The Politician, his character River Barkley embodied Superman’s central values. That character gave off a tough exterior but presented himself as a man of the people. It was a character that displayed courage, which is a crucial trait of Superman.
Corenswet portrayed Superman’s sense of honor in the show Hollywood. In that show, he is Jack Costello, who hopes to make it in Hollywood. Costello’s goal is to become a success for his family. He considers it an honor to be there and wants to be successful for them. Having that sense of honor is a value similar to Superman.
David Corenswet has shown all of Superman’s necessary values in past roles. The traits of heart, humility, courage, and honor make the character who he is. Combining those traits can embody Clark Kent and Superman as a character. Mixing those traits together can create a perfect Superman for this modern age.
Instead of someone struggling with his place, Cornswet’s Superman can be a man of the people. He can be a character that has hope and optimism for what the world could be. Those traits can make him an inspirational symbol of hope for generations of fans to come.