3. David Corenswet
Appeared in: Superman (2025)
When Ben Platt's character told David Corenswet that he looked like Superman in The Politician, we couldn't have predicted that he would actually go on to play Superman. But in one of the most unique cases of Hollywood irony, that's exactly what happened as Corenswet was cast as the Man of Steel in James Gunn's new DC Universe just a few years later. It was a move that would bring to life one of the biggest fan-castings of all time, and it was a move that paid off in spades.
After much anticipation, Corenswet made his debut as the Man of Tomorrow in James Gunn's Superman. This is the first movie in Gunn and Peter Safran's new DC Universe franchise, so there was a lot of pressure on him to succeed. To say he pulled it off would be a super understatement.
There's a gentle charm in Corenswet's performance that is just so natural to him; it's what both Clark Kent and Superman should be and it's not the kind of thing that can be manufcatured. Just as Christopher Reeve did years before him, he found a way to maintain that charm through both of the personalities of the character while also ensuring that they are each different in their own way. As Clark Kent, he's reserved, dorky, and kind of adorable, while as Superman he is assured, confident, and steadfast in his approach.
It's the blend that is so necessary for the success of the character and yet so hard to get right. But Corenswet nails it. There is a scene in the movie - which first made its presence felt in the film's second trailer - where Clark is being interviewed by Lois Lane (but as Superman). The moment that Lois switches the recorder on, Corenswet's whole demeanor changes as the uptight, sheepish Clark disappears as he sits forward with confidence, simply saying "Ms. Lane" in that beautifully-accurate Superman voice. No words can describe how good Corenswet is in the role better than that scene. From that moment on it was clear: Superman had arrived.
There is no doubt about it: David Corenswet could be on his way to becoming the definitive Superman of this generation.