After 300 Auditions, This Is Why James Gunn Cast David Corenswet as Superman | Freeze Frame

James Gunn and David Corenswet sit down for a Freeze Frame with British Esquire to dissect everything from suit fittings to storytelling philosophy in Superman. Chapter Breakdown (Timestamps) 00:00 – Intro 00:57 – Suit fittings & evolution 02:18 – The design debate: Trunks or no trunks? 04:27 – Audition process: From 300 tapes to the final 3 06:36 – What changed James Gunn’s mind about Superman 08:34 – Cultural need for hope and sincerity 10:00 – Directing style, improv and layering scenes 12:00 – Rachel Brosnahan’s intensity and professionalism 14:27 – Behind the scenes: Kaiju, Cleveland, and the origin building 17:30 – Story philosophy: “What if Superman were real?” Corenswet recounts the surreal journey from self-taping with his wife to standing in front of Gunn in the iconic (but not yet iconic) suit. Gunn reveals why he originally turned down the project—and what made him change his mind. They talk Krypto’s chaos, why Superman has to be hopeful now, and what it really means to “earn iconic.” Read more at https://www.esquire.com/uk/