David Corenswet's Superman Recreates A Christopher Reeve Scene And Proves James Gunn Has Nailed The Character

Recently, DC Studios unveiled the first full-length trailer for Superman. Starring David Corenswet as Clark Kent/Superman, the film is directed by James Gunn, and it will launch the new DC Universe media franchise, replacing the DCEU. Additional cast members include Rachel Brosnahan, Nicholas Hoult, Edi Gathegi, Isabella Merced, Anthony Carrigan, Frank Grillo, Sara Sampaio, and Nathan Fillion, among others. Superman is not an origin story, but rather, it follows the hero early in his career. Clark is already established as Superman and a Daily Planet journalist, but he is far from experienced.

The latest Superman footage offers both action and heart, introducing both the themes and plot of the film. Superman is being targeted by a smear campaign—likely due to Lex Luthor (Hoult)—after he got involved in an international conflict. Though he saved lives by intervening, he set off a foreign affairs dilemma because he gave the appearance of acting on behalf of the United States. Audiences were also shown more of the Justice Gang, a more corporate group of superheroes consisting of Hawkgirl (Merced), Green Lantern (Fillion), and Mr. Terrific (Gathegi).

Additionally, it gives the first look at characters previously absent from trailers, such as Martha Kent and Eve Teschmacher. Some sequences that were featured in previous teasers were expanded on, such as Lex invading the Fortress of Solitude with his henchwoman, the Engineer. Once again, Krypto the Superdog was a standout as well, cuddling with Clark and protecting the Fortress in his absence.

David Corenswet Recreates Christopher Reeve’s Superman Transformation Scene

Christopher Reeve as Clark Kent in Superman

Though the trailer has many interesting moments, its opening is particularly noteworthy. Clark agrees to allow his love interest, Lois Lane (Brosnahan), to interview him as Superman. Aside from the huge reveal that Lois knows Clark’s secret idenтιтy, this scene mirrors not one but two from 1978’s Superman: The Movie. Starring the late great Christopher Reeve, the film chronicles Superman’s father, Jor-El, preparing for the destruction of Krypton, Clark arriving on Earth and being raised by the Kents, and Superman becoming a revered hero.

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Notably, the film features a sequence wherein Lois interviews Superman, though she does not know that he and Clark are the same person. The parallels between this scene and the opening moments of the Superman trailer are readily apparent. However, the interaction immediately after that recalls one of Reeve’s best moments as Superman.

In the 1978 film, Clark “arrives” for a date with Lois, who is still flustered from her interaction with Superman. As she steps out of the room, he stands up straight, takes off his glᴀsses, and deepens his voice—the implication being that he’s about to tell her the truth about his double idenтιтy.

Once Lois reenters the room, he slouches and takes on his Clark persona again. About 22 seconds into the trailer for Superman, Corenswet demonstrates a similar yet smaller shift as he snaps into character. Lois sets up her recorder and calls him Superman. He shifts forward in his seat, sits up straight, and speaks more ᴀssertively. It’s a subtle moment, but it recalls Reeve’s distinct shift between playing Clark and playing Superman, something that is still cited as a reason many believe he is the best actor to portray the part in live-action.

Why Christopher Reeve’s Superman Transformation Needed To Be Recreated

Christopher Reeve stands by an American flag in promo art for Superman

The aforementioned scene with Reeve is iconic due to how convincingly Reeve switches between Clark and Superman. Even Reeve’s own son, Matthew, has named this his favorite moment from his father’s tenure as the Man of Steel:

There’s this amazing scene – it’s my favorite scene of my dad’s film work. He was playing Superman, playing Clark Kent. He kind of, like, takes his glᴀsses off, and he transforms. He puts his glᴀsses back on, and he’s Clark again, instantly. I mean, he absolutely nailed it.

Superman is often lampooned for not having a convincing disguise; he doesn’t wear a mask, and the biggest differences in his civilian attire come down to hair and glᴀsses. However, Reeve’s portrayal somewhat puts these concerns to rest for his iteration of the character. His voice, posture, and personality are totally opposite for Clark and Superman, making it more plausible for a journalist like Lois to doubt their physical similarities being proof enough.

This duality allows Clark to blend in despite naturally being someone who stands out.

Though Lois knows Clark is Superman in the 2025 film, he still must maintain a disguise for the rest of the world. Realistically, his physical appearance can only change so much, making his personality and mannerisms an easier way to hide his idenтιтy. The Superman prequel series Smallville touched on this concept in its final season, with Clark intentionally becoming more mild-mannered and clumsy. This duality allows Clark to blend in despite naturally being someone who stands out.

If Superman wishes to sell the possibility that those who know Clark Kent won’t immediately clock that he’s the Man of Steel, then Corenswet needs to distinguish his two idenтιтies. Given his mannerisms in the trailer, the actor appears to be doing just that. Both Reeve and Corenswet are Juilliard alumni—a connection that might bode well for the new Superman.

James Gunn Is Proving He Knows Exactly How To Nail The Superman Character

While it may seem like a trivial moment due to its subtlety, Corenswet using a different tone and posture when speaking as Superman is a positive indicator of how he will be portrayed. Even more so, Clark drops the disguise as Lois grills him for getting involved in an international dispute, exclaiming that he “wasn’t representing anybody except for” himself and that “people were going to die.” This shows that his true self is somewhere between the Superman persona and the Clark Kent one. He is a Kansas farm boy who just wants to do some good and help people.

Later in the trailer, Gunn drives home this message through how Clark’s father, Jonathan Kent, is included. In what appears to be a heart-to-heart, Pa Kent tells his son: “Your choices. Your actions. That’s what makes you who you are.” Though Superman has Kryptonian heritage and abilities, those attributes are paired with the morals that Jonathan and Martha instilled in him, things like kindness and helping others. It’s a humanizing element for a character who has extreme powers. There’s something so important about Superman having a Ma and Pa to ground him.

Based on this footage, Gunn has nailed his characterization of Superman, not as a lonely God-like figure but as someone trying desperately to do the right thing. The interview scene manages to showcase his relationship with Lois, how Superman and Clark differ, and what his morals are all at once. If Gunn and Corenswet maintain this characterization throughout the film, Superman might give audiences the Man of Steel they’ve been waiting for.