Summary:
- David Coresnwet breaks a 37-year-old Superman record, becoming the tallest actor to portray the Man of Steel after Christopher Reeve.
- Corenswet has a leaner build than the predecessor, Henry Cavill, but is taller than the DCEU actor.
- Corenswet is often considered the most comic-accurate Superman to date, in terms of both look and build.
It’s still one more year until James Gunn’s Superman movie hits the theater, but the new Man of Steel already breaks a remarkable Supe record that has been around for nearly 40 years.
David Corenswet is stepping into the superhero spotlight as the tallest actor to don the Superman cape in nearly four decades, setting a new record even before his debut film, James Gunn’s Superman, hits theaters next year.
While the iconic role of Superman has seen various actors over the years, none have matched the height of Christopher Reeve since his revered portrayal in 1978’s Superman. Both Reeve and Corenswet stand at an impressive 6’4″, making Corenswet the first to equal this stature since.
Previous actors like Tyler Hoechlin from the CW series and Dean Cain from Lois & Clark hovered around 5’11”, while Henry Cavill of Man of Steel stood at 6’1’’ and Brandon Routh of Superman Returns was slightly taller at 6’2.5. Most performers who have donned the cape of the Man of Steel so far are at least 6 feet tall.
Nicolas Cage, who was once cast for a never-realized Tim Burton Superman project and later appeared in a cameo in The Flash, also has the same height.
With Cavill recently stepping down from his role in the DCEU, Corenswet takes up the mantle in Gunn’s upcoming Superman, sparking anticipation with his training regimen and deep dive into Superman lore. A teaser image of the 30-year-old in the classic red-and-blue suit has already heightened fan expectations.
Actors portraying the Man of Steel have historically transformed their physiques to embody Superman’s superhuman strength and invulnerability. Corenswet is no exception; though he may be leaner than Cavill, his height enhances his physical presence, making him a formidable figure as Metropolis’s savior and a potential leader for the Justice League.
From his very first depiction in Action Comics #1 in 1938, Superman has been envisioned with a commanding presence. Corenswet’s height aligns perfectly with this vision, promising a Superman who not only looks the part but is also physically imposing, just as the superhero is portrayed in the comics.
