The New DCU Has Arrived: Every Confirmed Actor And Character In James Gunn's 'Superman: Legacy' Cast

The new era of the DC Universe (DCU) is officially taking flight, and the full ensemble for James Gunn’s highly anticipated film, Superman: Legacy, is now locked in. As of December 10, 2025, production is gearing up to begin, and the movie is set to introduce a fresh, younger Clark Kent who is balancing his Kryptonian heritage with his human life as a reporter in Metropolis. This comprehensive breakdown reveals every confirmed actor, their character, and the impressive résumés they bring to the start of DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters. The film is scheduled for a theatrical release on July 11, 2025, marking a monumental shift for the entire DC franchise.

The casting process, led by co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran, has been meticulous, focusing on actors who can embody the heart, intelligence, and moral complexity of these iconic characters. From the new Man of Steel to a star-studded version of the villainous/anti-hero team, The Authority, the lineup promises a vibrant and interconnected cinematic universe right from the first film. The inclusion of several non-Superman-related heroes signals that this reboot will waste no time in establishing a wide-ranging world for the DCU.

The Confirmed 'Superman: Legacy' Cast and Character Biographies

The core cast of Superman: Legacy features a mix of rising stars and established, award-winning talent, bringing an incredible depth of acting experience to the foundational characters of the DCU. Here is the full list of confirmed actors and their roles:

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• David Corenswet as Clark Kent / Superman: Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Corenswet is a Juilliard graduate who first gained recognition for his lead roles in the Netflix series The Politician (2019–2020) and Hollywood (2020). He has also appeared in films like Pearl and Look Both Ways. He takes on the monumental task of portraying a Superman who is already established as a hero but is still early in his career, struggling to reconcile his alien origins with his Kansas upbringing.
• Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane: An acclaimed American actress, Brosnahan is best known for her Emmy-winning and Golden Globe-winning performance as Miriam "Midge" Maisel in the Amazon Prime series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Her earlier breakthrough came from her role in the Netflix political drama House of Cards. Her casting as Lois Lane, the tenacious Daily Planet journalist, promises a witty, strong, and highly capable counterpart to Clark Kent.
• Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor: The British actor has an extensive and varied career, starting with his breakout role as a child in About a Boy (2002). He is widely known for playing Hank McCoy / Beast in the X-Men film series and Nux in Mad Max: Fury Road. His recent work in the television series The Great and the film Renfield showcases his range, making him a perfect fit for the complex, genius villain Lex Luthor.
• Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen: Known for his roles in critically acclaimed films like Licorice Pizza and the comedy Booksmart, Gisondo will play the beloved Daily Planet photographer and Clark Kent’s friend, Jimmy Olsen.
• Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher: The Portuguese model and actress, known for her work with Victoria's Secret and the film At Midnight, will portray the classic Lex Luthor associate, Eve Teschmacher.
• Milly Alcock as Supergirl / Kara Zor-El: The Australian actress, who rose to global fame for her portrayal of young Rhaenyra Targaryen in HBO's House of the Dragon, has been confirmed by James Gunn as the new Supergirl for the DCU. Reports suggest her debut will be in Superman: Legacy before starring in her own solo film, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow.

The Authority: Introducing the DCU's Anti-Heroes

A major, fresh element that sets Superman: Legacy apart is the confirmed inclusion of several members of The Authority, a team of anti-heroes known for their more aggressive and pragmatic approach to world problems. Their presence suggests a thematic conflict with Superman's traditional moral code, which is a key narrative focus for James Gunn’s new DCU. This move immediately establishes a wider, more complex superhero landscape.

• Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner / Green Lantern: A long-time collaborator of James Gunn, Fillion is famous for his lead roles in Firefly and Castle. He has also appeared in several other Gunn projects, including The Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. He will portray the polarizing, hot-headed Green Lantern from Earth, Guy Gardner.
• Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific / Michael Holt: Gathegi, known for his work in The Blacklist and as Darwin in X-Men: First Class, will play Mister Terrific, a genius inventor and one of the most intelligent characters in the DC universe.
• Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl / Kendra Saunders: Merced, who has starred in films like Dora and the Lost City of Gold and the upcoming Alien Romulus, is cast as Hawkgirl, a hero with a complex history and a powerful Nth Metal mace.
• María Gabriela de Faría as The Engineer / Angela Spica: The Venezuelan actress, who has appeared in the series Deadly Class and The Moodys, will play The Engineer, a key member of The Authority who has nanotechnology replacing her blood, allowing her to create any construct she can imagine.
• Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho / Rex Mason: Known for his Emmy-nominated role as NoHo Hank in the HBO series Barry, Carrigan brings his unique talent to the role of Metamorpho, a hero who can transform his body into any element or compound.

The Significance of the Casting: A New DCU Foundation

The collective casting of Superman: Legacy is a deliberate statement about the direction of the new DCU. James Gunn has emphasized that this film will not be an origin story but will focus on Clark Kent's journey to reconcile his Kryptonian nobility with his human upbringing and values.

The inclusion of a large supporting cast of established heroes—Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Mister Terrific, and Metamorpho—alongside the anti-hero team, The Authority, confirms that this version of Superman is not operating in a vacuum. It suggests a world where superheroes already exist and are known to the public. This approach immediately bypasses the need for lengthy origin stories and allows the narrative to focus on the philosophical differences between Superman's hope-filled heroism and The Authority's more ruthless methods.

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The choice of David Corenswet is particularly telling. His physical resemblance to the classic Superman look, combined with his proven ability to play characters with a deep emotional core in projects like The Politician, suggests a return to the kind, earnest, and compassionate Man of Steel that many fans have been craving. Similarly, Rachel Brosnahan's casting as Lois Lane highlights the intention to portray her as a formidable, sharp-witted journalist who is Superman’s intellectual equal, rather than a damsel in distress. Her Emmy pedigree adds significant gravitas to the role.

Production Timeline and Release Details

The production for Superman: Legacy is moving quickly, cementing its status as the launchpad for the new DCU. The film is written and directed by James Gunn, who is also co-CEO of DC Studios, ensuring a unified creative vision from the top down.

The latest updates confirm that filming is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2024, with reports pointing to a start date around March 2024. The production will take place in several locations, including Atlanta, Cleveland, and Cincinnati, with the crew working toward a tight schedule to meet the ambitious release date. This swift timeline underscores the commitment of Warner Bros. and DC Studios to kick off their new cinematic universe on time.

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The confirmed release date for Superman: Legacy is July 11, 2025. This date is highly significant, as the success of this film will set the tone and trajectory for the entire DCU Chapter One: Gods and Monsters slate, which includes other major projects like the Supergirl solo film and the Batman-focused The Brave and the Bold. The anticipation for Corenswet’s debut as the Man of Steel, facing off against Hoult’s intellectual Lex Luthor while navigating a world full of other heroes and anti-heroes, makes this one of the most eagerly awaited superhero films in recent memory.