Why Nicholas Hoult Lost Superman to David Corenswet: James Gunn Breaks the Silence

Director James Gunn reveals why the “Nosferatu” star didn’t land the Man of Steel role—despite being a strong contender

For months, fans speculated about why Nicholas Hoult, a frontrunner for James Gunn’s Superman, didn’t ultimately don the cape. Now, the director himself has finally opened up about the casting decision that left Hoult out of the role and made David Corenswet the new Clark Kent.

During a candid interview on Jake Takes with Jake Hamilton, Gunn praised Hoult as a “great actor” and acknowledged that in some aspects, Hoult might even outperform Corenswet. However, the final decision came down to fit—not talent.

“Nick Hoult auditioned [for Superman],” Gunn confirmed. “He’s a great actor. Some might say he’s better than David in certain ways. But he just didn’t fit the role, and that’s why he didn’t get it… Nick was just more controlled.”

That word—controlled—proved pivotal. According to Gunn, Hoult’s more measured acting style clashed with the version of Superman he envisioned. While Hoult delivered strong performances, he lacked the loose, natural energy Gunn felt was essential for his Clark Kent.

Chemistry tests also played a major role. Gunn had been mixing and matching actors for Clark Kent and Lois Lane, hoping to find the ideal dynamic. Hoult reportedly shared strong chemistry with a different actress auditioning for Lois Lane—someone more spontaneous and contrasting his composed demeanor.

“Nick had really good chemistry with another Lois that was less controlled,” Gunn explained. “They were opposites, and that worked. But ultimately, David had better chemistry with Rachel Brosnahan. She’s a very controlled actor, and David is a little more loose. That created a unique dynamism on-screen.”

That dynamic between Corenswet and Brosnahan—opposites in temperament but in sync on camera—sealed the deal.

Even Hoult seems to have recognized Corenswet’s star quality during the audition process. Appearing alongside Corenswet on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Hoult shared a surreal moment when they crossed paths on set.

“I came out of an audition thinking, ‘Yeah, not bad,’” Hoult recalled. “Then I turned the corner, and there was David—sitting in this beam of sunlight, charging like Superman. I shook his hand and thought, ‘Yeah, I’d be happy if this guy got it. He’s perfect.’”

When asked about what other candidates might have lacked, Gunn emphasized that it wasn’t about mistakes or poor performances. “A lot of times, casting is about finding the right person for the right role. Most people weren’t doing anything wrong—they just didn’t match how I imagined Superman.”

With Corenswet now confirmed as the new Superman and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, fans can look forward to seeing the chemistry Gunn fought hard to find—an alchemy of opposites that could define the next chapter in the DC Universe.

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