The New Justice League? Meet The Full Star-Studded Cast Of James Gunn's 'Superman' (2025)

The future of the DC Universe is finally taking shape, and the center of it all is the highly anticipated 2025 film, Superman. As of December 12, 2025, the cast for James Gunn’s inaugural DCU film is locked and loaded, featuring a mix of rising stars and established Hollywood veterans ready to bring a fresh, modern take to the iconic Man of Steel and his world. This new era moves beyond previous iterations, focusing on a Superman who balances his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing, surrounded by a diverse ensemble of allies, rivals, and fellow heroes.

The core question of "who played in the new Superman" has been definitively answered, with the casting choices sparking significant excitement and signaling a bold new direction for the franchise. The film, formerly known as Superman: Legacy, is set to redefine the character and introduce a new generation of DC heroes, making the full cast list essential reading for any comic book fan.

The New Trinity: Superman, Lois Lane, and Lex Luthor Biographies

The foundation of any great Superman story rests on the shoulders of its main characters. Director James Gunn and producer Peter Safran have meticulously selected a trio of actors who embody the spirit, intelligence, and menace required for the DCU’s new beginning. Here is a closer look at the actors leading the charge.

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David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman

• Full Name: David Packard Corenswet
• Born: July 8, 1993, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
• Education: Graduated from the Juilliard School in 2016.
• Career Highlights: Corenswet rose to prominence in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series, including The Politician (2019–2020) and Hollywood (2020). He also appeared in the HBO series We Own This City (2022) and the film Pearl (2022).
• Significance in DCU: Corenswet was cast as the titular DC Comics hero, taking over the role from Henry Cavill, and immediately drew comparisons to classic Superman actor Christopher Reeve due to his striking resemblance and classic leading man looks.

Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane

• Full Name: Rachel Elizabeth Brosnahan
• Born: December 15, 1990, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
• Education: Attended New York University and the Tisch School of Arts.
• Career Highlights: Brosnahan is best known for her Emmy-winning role as Miriam "Midge" Maisel in the critically acclaimed series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2017–2023). She also had a notable role in the political drama House of Cards (2013–2015).
• Significance in DCU: Her casting as the brilliant and tenacious Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane suggests a dynamic, quick-witted portrayal, promising a strong partnership with Corenswet's Superman.

Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor

• Full Name: Nicholas Caradoc Hoult
• Born: December 7, 1989, in Wokingham, Berkshire, England.
• Career Highlights: Hoult has an extensive filmography, including his breakout role in About a Boy (2002), the mutant Beast in the X-Men film series (2011–2019), and Nux in Mad Max: Fury Road (2015). He received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Peter III of Russia in the series The Great (2020–2023).
• Significance in DCU: Hoult, who originally auditioned for the role of Superman, was cast as the iconic villain Lex Luthor. Reports suggest his Luthor will be a technically inclined, modern villain highly concerned with his public image, providing a fresh take on the classic rivalry.

The Expanded DC Universe: A New League of Heroes

The new Superman film is not just an origin story for Clark Kent; it’s a launching pad for the entire DCU. James Gunn has confirmed that the film will feature a number of other prominent DC Comics characters, many of whom are members of the superhero team The Authority. This inclusion immediately establishes a broader, interconnected world where Superman is not the only superhuman figure.

This approach highlights a key theme: Superman is operating in a world already populated by heroes and villains. The film is set to introduce several major entities from the DC canon, significantly boosting the film's topical authority and setting the stage for future DCU projects.

Confirmed Supporting Heroes and Villains

The list of confirmed cast members reveals a surprising depth of characters, signaling that the new DCU will quickly move beyond the traditional Superman supporting cast to explore a wider superhero landscape. This ensemble cast is a clear indicator of the ambitious plans for the shared universe.

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• Edi Gathegi as Michael Holt / Mister Terrific: Gathegi, known for his roles in The Blacklist and the Twilight saga, plays Mister Terrific, a brilliant inventor and one of the world's most intelligent men.
• Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner / Green Lantern: Fillion, a frequent collaborator with James Gunn, will portray the fan-favorite, often abrasive, human Green Lantern, Guy Gardner.
• Isabela Merced as Kendra Saunders / Hawkgirl: Merced, who has starred in films like Dora and the Lost City of Gold, is cast as Hawkgirl, a hero with a complex history often tied to reincarnation and alien technology.
• Anthony Carrigan as Rex Mason / Metamorpho: Carrigan, best known for his Emmy-nominated role in Barry, plays Metamorpho, the Element Man, who can transform his body into any element or compound.
• María Gabriela De Faría as Angela Spica / The Engineer: De Faría portrays The Engineer, a member of The Authority who can generate solid light constructs and interface with technology.
• Milly Alcock as Supergirl / Kara Zor-El: Alcock, who gained fame in House of the Dragon, will appear as Superman's cousin, Supergirl, a character who will also star in her own DCU film, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.
• Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen: Gisondo will play the classic Daily Planet photographer and Superman's pal, Jimmy Olsen.
• Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher: Sampaio is cast as Lex Luthor’s assistant, Eve Teschmacher.
• Wendell Pierce as Perry White: Pierce will play the no-nonsense editor-in-chief of the Daily Planet, Perry White.

The Vision: Why This Cast Signals a DCU Revolution

The casting strategy for Superman is a deliberate move by James Gunn and DC Studios to establish a cinematic universe that is both grounded and expansive. Unlike previous DC film attempts, this new DCU is being built from the ground up with a unified creative vision, and the selection of this particular ensemble cast is central to that plan.

Focus on Topical Authority and Ensemble Storytelling

The decision to include multiple established heroes like Green Lantern (Guy Gardner), Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific in the first Superman film is a major departure from tradition. It immediately introduces a world where superpowers are not unique to Superman. This ensemble approach allows the film to explore topical themes about the role of a hero in a world that is already aware of super-beings.

The film is expected to explore Superman’s journey as he reconciles his Kryptonian roots with his Kansas upbringing, all while navigating a complex world of existing heroes and the machinations of a modern, image-conscious Lex Luthor. Nicholas Hoult’s portrayal of Luthor, for example, is hinted to be a more technically inclined genius focused on his public persona, a compelling modern counterpoint to Superman's inherent goodness.

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A Blend of Experience and Fresh Faces

The cast is a careful balance: a relatively fresh face in David Corenswet as Superman, paired with the established, Emmy-winning talent of Rachel Brosnahan and the versatile, critically acclaimed Nicholas Hoult. This mix ensures the central roles are handled by actors capable of delivering both gravitas and charm, while the supporting roles are filled by actors with strong comedic and dramatic backgrounds, such as Nathan Fillion and Anthony Carrigan.

This casting reflects a commitment to a tone that is both serious about its emotional core and unafraid of the inherent fun and absurdity of comic books, a hallmark of James Gunn’s previous work. The inclusion of Supergirl and other heroes also confirms that Superman is the essential first chapter in a much larger narrative, setting up the entire DCU slate, including the forthcoming The Authority film.

As the film progresses through production, the excitement surrounding this new, diverse, and talented cast continues to build. Fans are eagerly anticipating the debut of David Corenswet's Superman and the complete DCU ensemble when the film hits theaters in 2025.