The Superman actor Skyler Gisondo opens up at the L.A. premiere about nearly auditioning for the titular role, stepping into Jimmy Olsen’s shoes, and why he believes David Corenswet was destined to wear the cape.
Los Angeles [US], July 9:
Skyler Gisondo, who stars as Jimmy Olsen in Superman, revealed at the Los Angeles premiere on Monday that he initially believed he was auditioning for Clark Kent himself. The actor learned only after submitting his tape that the role in question wasn’t Superman—but Superman’s best friend.
“I sent in the tape thinking, ‘Man, James [Gunn] is always really thinking outside the box,’” Gisondo told The Hollywood Reporter. “I wouldn’t be my first pick, but maybe he sees something.”
Looking back, Gisondo joked about being relieved he didn’t get the role of the Man of Steel, particularly after seeing David Corenswet in the suit.
“David was the right guy for the job,” he laughed. “I was planning on getting really jacked too, but when I saw how far along David was, I thought, ‘You know what, I don’t want to upstage him,’ so I scaled back and let him shine.”
Despite the initial confusion, Gisondo is fully on board with his role as the Daily Planet photographer and praised Corenswet’s embodiment of Superman.
“Within 10 seconds of meeting him you think, ‘Man, this is Superman.’ I’m so excited for the world to see him in this movie.”
Superman Flies Into a New Era
Superman, directed and written by James Gunn, is the highly anticipated first chapter of the new DC Universe under Gunn and co-head Peter Safran. The film stars Corenswet as Superman, Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, and Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, supported by a cast that includes Anthony Carrigan, Nathan Fillion, Beck Bennett, and Wendell Pierce.
At the premiere, Gunn shared his vision for the reboot, noting he wanted to blend the fantastical with the human:
“I wanted to show Superman in an intimate way… in this magical world with giant robots, Kaiju, and superhuman friends — but also really get to know him. What are his beliefs, his flaws, his relationships? I wanted it all.”
The film opens in North America on July 11, with global anticipation already soaring.