Superman star David Corenswet didn’t just geek out over Star Wars. He became it.
In a now-viral behind-the-scenes video, the new Superman actor is seen driving while flawlessly reciting the entire Death Star trench run sequence from A New Hope. No stumbles. No script. Just pure, joyous nerd energy.
David Corenswet reciting the Trench Run climax from memory.
The Force is strong with #Superman! #Maythe4thBeWithYou pic.twitter.com/2rI2qJHTHH
— DC Film News (@DCFilmNews) May 4, 2025
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His delivery is effortless, like someone who’s played this scene out in their head hundreds of times. Because he has. Corenswet then casually dropped a mention of the Rogue Squadron books—expanded universe staples from the pre-Disney canon—like it’s common knowledge.
This wasn’t a rehearsed bit or a PR stunt. This is someone who’s lived with the franchise long enough to remember character arcs most people have never heard of. The kind of unfiltered enthusiasm you’d expect to see at a fan convention, not in an actor’s press kit. And that might be exactly what Superman needs right now.
From Fanboy to Man of Steel
Corenswet’s geek cred doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it’s entering a pop culture battlefield. James Gunn’s new Superman film, simply titled Superman, is meant to launch the DC Universe into a new era. But so far, most of the public-facing promotion has come from Gunn himself. And reactions have been… mixed. While Gunn is no stranger to comic book hits, some longtime Superman fans have expressed concern about the tone, the casting, or simply the uncertainty that comes with a reboot.
Superman withstands fire in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
Enter Corenswet. Tall, square-jawed, and refreshingly earnest, he’s the kind of leading man who could easily rely on looks alone. But instead, he’s winning hearts by being a massive, unapologetic nerd—just like his predecessor.
The Cavill Comparison
It’s hard not to draw parallels to Henry Cavill. When Cavill was first cast as Superman, he brought more than just the physicality—he brought fandom.
Henry Cavill speaking at the 2019 San Diego Comic Con International, for “The Witcher”, at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California. Photo Credit: Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
The man built a custom gaming PC during lockdown. He paints Warhammer 40K miniatures. He once corrected an interviewer who confused World of Warcraft with Warhammer. He refused to call fans toxic, instead calling them passionate. Fans didn’t just respect Cavill for the role. He earned their loyalty by being one of them.
Corenswet might not be assembling power supplies on camera, but his ability to quote obscure Star Wars dialogue while casually flexing EU knowledge hits the same sweet spot. It’s proof that he gets it—not just the character he’s playing, but the passion behind it.
Living the Dream (Suit and All)
Long before the viral video, Corenswet told Entertainment Weekly in 2019 that playing Superman was his “pie in the sky ambition.”
At the time, it felt like a hypothetical. He was still early in his career, having just landed breakout roles in Ryan Murphy’s The Politician and Hollywood. But even then, people were telling him he looked the part. Turns out they were right.
Superman saves a little girl in the Superman teaser trailer – YouTube, DC
Not only did Corenswet land the role—he stepped into it literally. Like Cavill before him, he screen-tested in the previous actor’s suit. Cavill once donned Christopher Reeve’s iconic costume. Corenswet put on Cavill’s, calling it “a marvel of engineering.” That full-circle moment felt like more than a symbolic passing of the torch. It was a literal embodiment of legacy.
What Makes a Man Super?
It’s easy to forget, amidst all the casting speculation and cinematic universe discourse, that Superman is more than a role—it’s a responsibility.
Corenswet seems to understand that. He’s studied All-Star Superman. He’s paying attention to the quiet brilliance of Christopher Reeve’s Clark Kent. He even cites his brother-in-law as an inspiration for how Clark carries himself physically—trying to disappear into a crowd while hiding a much bigger presence.
Superman in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
In a recent interview with the Associated Press, Corenswet described the filming process as a kind of “extended summer camp,” where the tone of the film blends action, comedy, and longing romance. The vibe, he says, is “familial.” That’s a far cry from the gritty realism of the Snyder era—and it may be the tonal reset DC fans have been waiting for.
The Power of Passion
The internet is fickle. Fandoms even more so. But if there’s one thing that tends to cut through skepticism, it’s authenticity. Cavill had it. Corenswet might too.
Superman and Krypto in the trailer for James Gunn’s Superman – YouTube, DC
In fact, David Corenswet reciting the Star Wars trench run isn’t just a party trick. It’s like a signal—a sign that the man playing the most iconic superhero in American culture actually cares. About the stories. About the fans. About the kind of awe and wonder that made him fall in love with this stuff in the first place.
In a media cycle dominated by studio press releases and cautiously worded statements, this one unscripted moment of raw enthusiasm might be the best publicity Superman has had yet.
How do you feel about David Corenswet being a passionate Star Wars fan? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
“Steve, they say you got the crazy eyes”
.. Life of Zissou
Supes got a little “crazy eyes”.
Meh