David Corenswet Shares Intense Physical Transformation for Superman Role

The New Man of Steel Opens Up About Gaining Weight, Fitting into 2XL Clothes, and His Journey to Becoming Superman

David Corenswet, who was announced as the new Superman in June 2023, recently revealed the extent of his physical transformation for the iconic role. The actor shared the challenges he faced in packing on muscle mass during an appearance on episode 27 of the Manly Things (Sort Of) podcast.

“I wasn’t 238 pounds when we started shooting. I hit 238 at my peak,” Corenswet recalled, humorously admitting that he could barely fit into his pants at that point.

The Hollywood star opened up about the difficulties of maintaining such a high weight, noting that the process initially didn’t feel great. “My body hadn’t adjusted to the extra bulk,” he explained, describing the strain of his physical transformation.

In a lighthearted moment, Corenswet joked about the shock of realizing he was wearing 2XL clothing during a table read for the film. “That was at the peak of my bulk,” he said. “After that, I gradually lost weight before filming began. I was around 228 to 230 pounds when we started shooting. I really wanted to use this opportunity to see what it felt like to push my body to gain as much as possible.”

In May, Paolo Mascitti, the personal trainer for the Superman cast, praised Corenswet’s dedication in an Instagram post. He shared a photo of the actor, showcasing his hard work both in the gym and in the official Superman suit.

“David Corenswet worked his ass off,” Mascitti wrote, teasing fans with more behind-the-scenes details on the actor’s intense training regimen.

Fans won’t have to wait too long to see Corenswet’s Superman debut. Directed by James Gunn, Superman is set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.