Superman star David Corenswet on Christopher Reeve's legacy

As part of his promotional tour for the hotly-anticipated Superman, lead actor David Corenswet had a chance to discuss the legacy of Christopher Reeve, the actor behind one of the most iconic portrayals of the superhero in 1978’s Superman and its associated sequels. This conversation happened with Christopher Reeves’s son, Will Reeve, who’s a journalist and a host for ABC Network’s Good Morning America. 

Superman director James Gunn has shown considerable respect towards Christopher Reeves’s legacy, having screened the documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story for the 2025 film’s cast. When asked about Christopher Reeve’s enduring legacy, and whether he ever wished it wasn’t so hard to contend with, David Corenswet firmly replied, “Not for a second.”

When speaking to Corenswet, Will noted that the actor was younger than him, leading to him joking that for the first time in his life, he was actually younger than Superman. He immediately clarified that he still looked up to Corenswet, but more as a peer and equal. When Will asked why people were so passionate and opinionated about Superman, Corenswet gave Christopher Reeve, a lot of credit, calling Superman’s 1978 cinematic portrayal so effective that it inextricably linked Reeve to his role as the iconic superhero.

Corenswet also noted that Christopher Reeve’s later experiences with disability, and his very public activism, effectively made him a real-life hero in a manner separate from the iconic film, but not separate from the spirit of what Superman represents. When Will asked if Corenswet ever wished he didn’t have Christopher Reeve’s legacy to contend with, Corenswet firmly replied, “Not for a second.” Corenswet then recalled watching the Super/Man documentary, and how it showed that Christopher Reeve also had his own doubts about taking on the Superman role and facing accusations of “selling out.”

David reminisced about his own father, who he lost six years ago. He said that he wanted to believe that both his dad, and Will’s dad, would encourage him on the path he was following. 

During the interview, David also mentioned having Will on the set of the movie. Will later revealed that he actually had a cameo role in the film, playing a journalist trying to keep track of what's happening during a "busy" day in Metropolis. 

Will concluded the segment by saying that he didn't consider himself a "gatekeeper" for Superman's legacy in any way, but was still happy about his involvement with the film. 

James Gunn’s Superman releases in theaters worldwide on July 11.

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