New superman casting: these are the actors who should be the next Superman

Henry Cavill is Superman no more: here’s who we think should replace him as The Man Of Steel.

New superman casting: these are the actors who should be the next Superman
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The next Superman will is due out in 2025, and will be called Superman Legacy.

It's an important movie too, marking a new start of sorts for DC. Marvel's arch rival is now headed up by James Gunn who, that's right, is the director of Superman: Legacy. He's talked a bit about how the film's tone is naturally going to be different to that of the Guardians of the Galaxy movies — a trio he himself directed.

However one of the few concrete facts we do know is that Henry Cavill will not play Superman, a role he first took on a decade ago in 2013's Man of Steel.

UPDATE:The game is up folks, and you were right. Superman: Legacy director has confirmed David Corenswet will take on the role of Clark Kent in the next Superman movie. He's younger and taller than Henry Cavill, but can he really act? We might have to dig into his previous roles to check that out first-hand. His most recent was in Ti West's Pearl, a horror movie in which he played the projectionist. It's available to rent from Apple TV.

Some die-hard DC fans who loved Cavill as Superman weren't impressed. We get it. But let's face facts. Cavill turns 40 in 2023 and with a new Superman movie probably two years away, it would mean we would have a Supes well into his 50s. Well, assuming Gunn’s 10-year DCEU plan actually works.

So who will play Superman instead of Cavill? We've collected together a comprehensive list of young-ish actors who we think would be perfect as the Man Of Steel. We say young-ish as while Gunn is writing a script for a younger Superman, he has revealed this isn’t an origin story so we think anyone between the ages of 25 to 30-something are going to be in with a chance.

These are just our picks. If you have a perfect choice that isn't on the list, add it into the comment below. And if your best suggestion is here, then give it an upvote!

Who should be the next Superman?

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David Corenswet has already revealed that he would love to play Superman, in an article with EW, and the internet seems to agree with this sentiment. The actor has been compared to Henry Cavill numerous times and at 6ft 4 he wins it in the height stakes. He’s only 29, too, so could easily play the part for some 10 years.Image Credit: Netflix
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Wolfgang Novogratz's name has popped up a few times since Henry Cavill announced he is not returning as Superman. At a smidge under six foot three inches, he's in the right height class, and some say he bears a resemblance to Christopher Reeve. Sure, you can see it in the chin shape a little, but they are hardly twins separated by a couple of generations. Still, he certainly has the right look. This kind of role would be in a totally different class to what he has done to date, though.
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At 31 and with perfect Superman looks, it's no wonder that Pierson Fodé has entered into the new Superman race. Best known for his work on The Bold And The Beautiful the actor will also be appearing in a dark comedy for Peacock this year, called Based on a True Story, with Kaley Cuoco. Variety is hearing word that he in now a strong contender to take the Supes role in James Gunn's Superman Legacy.
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Jace Norman could well be on a career trajectory akin to the likes of Zac Efron, given that he has played in Nickelodeon’s sandpit since he was 14 as Henry Danger. He’s now 22, so one of the younger people on this list but he has the looks to become Superman - and the presence at 6ft - and he certainly has the experience playing a superhero, albeit one for a more child-friendly audience.Image Credit: Nickelodeon
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Image Credit: HBO
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Nicholas Hoult has got to be a front-runner for the new Superman. He’s 6ft 3in for a start, just turned 33, so around the right age (albeit at the latter end of the spectrum). He also has superhero chops, having played Beast in the X-Men First Class era. Yes, he’s British but that didn’t stop Cavill from becoming the all-American hero.Image credit: Tolkien, Allstar/Fox Searchlight
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Again, this is another actor who has entered our consciousness thanks to the amazing The White Lotus. Adam DiMarco has the likability factor tied down - despite his White Lotus’ character's dubious actions - and could pull off the heroics easily, despite only being 5ft 11. Also, we would love him to team up with Haley Lu Richardson (Portia in White Lotus) once more, who would make an excellent Louis Lane!Image Credit: HBO
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Aaron Taylor Johnson is currently tipped to be the next James Bond if you go with the rumor and speculation but we could see him as Superman. He has fantastic screen presence and was great in Marvel’s Age Of Ultron, even if his Russian accent was a little off. He was Kick-Ass in Kick-Ass, too, a superhero movie that certainly aped James Gunn’s quirky filmmaking style. He’s 32 so age is okay but, at 5ft 10in, there are bigger actors on this list with a chance.Image Credit: Marvel Studios
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He already nailed one of America’s greatest heroes with his portrayal of Elvis but we think the 32-year-old would make for a fantastic Superman. At 5ft 11 he’s not the tallest but his acting is top notch and while he would need to bulk up, he certainly has the stage presence that’s needed (and he would be utterly dedicated to the role). He is in huge demand at the moment, though, having just finished work on Dune: Part Two, so Gunn and co would have to act fast.Image Credit: Warner Bros
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Image Credit: HBO
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Liam could well join his brother and become a superhero. At 32, he is a good-ish age for the character and being 6ft 3, he certainly fits the bill. The biggest issue here is that he has just been cast as the new Geralt in Witcher, a role he is taking over from… Henry Cavill. This will certainly mean that he may not have time in his schedule to follow in Cavill’s footsteps once again.Image Credit: Independence Day: Resurgence, Twentieth Century Fox
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After his fantastic performance in White Lotus, we can easily see Sharpe as Superman. He has a huge amount of likability and sincerity, which is needed as Clark Kent, and he is also utterly ripped which works well for the Supes part. The only issues we have is that he is already 36, so just three years younger than Cavill and a rather-average 5ft 8in in height.Image Credit: HBO
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Will Poulter has bulked up and gone all American in his style, thanks to being cast as Adam Warlock in Guardians Of The Galaxy 3 which is being directed by… James Gunn. So, he is certainly on Gunn’s radar and, at 29 and 6ft 2in, the perfect age and height for the character. It just depends how deep that Marvel contract goes, but if anyone knows how to get out of that it’s James Gunn.Image Credit: Dopesick, Disney / Star
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Michael B Jordan was revealed to be playing Superman a while back, in a movie that’s being directed by Ta-Nehisi Coates and produced by JJ Abrams. Whether or not this will happen under the new DC bosses is a little unclear but we wouldn’t want him to miss out on a chance to become Supes. At 5ft 10, he may not have the towering presence of others on the list but he’s got the bulk and is one of the best actors around so would bring much-needed gravitas to the role. At 35, though, he is definitely on the older end of this list.Image Credit: Warner Bros

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Marc Chacksfield
Marc Chacksfield
Content Director

As Content Director of Shortlist, Marc likes nothing more than to compile endless lists of an evening by candlelight. He started out life as a movie writer for numerous (now defunct) magazines and soon found himself online - editing a gaggle of gadget sites, including TechRadar, Digital Camera World and Tom's Guide UK. At Shortlist you'll find him mostly writing about movies and tech, so no change there then.

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