MCU Loses Its Ultimate Superhero: DCU Benefits From Failed Auditions

David Corenswet is DC’s new Superman; however, the actor previously auditioned for a role in the MCU, and it is for the best that he did not get it.

David Corenswet has been cast as Clark Kent in James Gunn’s Superman, but before that, the actor auditioned for a Marvel Cinematic Universe hero, which could have changed his DC future. Corenswet is the face of the DCU, with the actor’s casting as Superman being the first for a major DC hero. There are a lot of expectations surrounding what Corenswet’s DCU Superman will be like, especially since the actor took over the role from Henry Cavill. The Witcher star had just returned to his role as the Man of Steel after years when the DCU reboot was announced.

Gunn’s new DC Universe will spotlight Corenswet’s Clark Kent with its first film, 2025’s Superman. While Corenswet should be pretty busy with the DC side of things, the actor has been fancast as multiple heroes who could soon come to the MCU, with X-Men’s Cyclops being the most popular one yet. Now, it turns out that the Superman actor could have already played a Marvel hero, as it has been revealed that Corenswet auditioned for a role in one of the best MCU movies before getting cast as Superman; however, it is good that it did not work out.

David Corenswet’s Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3 Audition Explained

The Star Almost Worked With Gunn Before DC

While Corenswet would come to work with Gunn in the DC Universe, the duo almost teamed up in the MCU. That is because Corenswet auditioned for a hero role in Gunn’s final MCU adventure. The director turned the Guardians of the Galaxy from a group of outcasts into one of Marvel’s most beloved teams, and 2023’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 served as the perfect send-off for the original version of the team and Gunn, with the director leaving the MCU to become the creative chief of DC Studios.

Recently, on Threads, Gunn revealed that Corenswet auditioned to play Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. The rumor regarding Corenswet’s audition for the role had been going on for months, with Gunn revealing that he asked Corenswet if he had auditioned for Adam Warlock, as Gunn himself did not remember, and Corenswet confirming that he had. Will Poulter was ultimately cast to play Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. Gunn also revealed that Superman’s flying scenes in Corenswet’s DCU debut will be more intricate than Adam Warlock’s.

How Corenswet Not Getting Cast As Adam Warlock Was Good For The DCU’s Superman

Corenswet Is The Face Of The DCU

While seeing Corenswet in the MCU alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy would have been exciting, it ended up being for the best that the actor missed out on the role. Had Corenswet played Adam Warlock, it would have clashed with his Superman role. Perhaps not diminishing his chances of landing Superman, as Gunn is known to work with many collaborators across different projects, but by taking the novelty out of the casting. Adam Warlock possesses some similar powers to Superman, and Corenswet’s casting as the DCU’s Man of Steel would have had its impact diminished.

Throughout his career, Corenswet has had poignant roles. The actor appeared in a couple of interesting Netflix series, the popular horror movie Pearl, and will have a role in this year’s Twisters; however, Corenswet was not a major name in Hollywood before his casting as Superman. This is great, as it will allow the actor’s popularity to rise alongside the DCU’s version of Superman. If Corenswet had played Adan Warlock in the MCU, that would not have been possible, as the DCU’s Superman would already have superhero movie baggage, which is all the role does not need after the DCEU.

Why David Corenswet Is The Perfect Superman For The DCU

Superman Was His Dream Role

Not only does Corenswet look just like Superman, but the star also has the acting skills to excel in the role. Two of Corenswet’s past roles help show why he will be perfect as the Man of Steel. In The Politician, Corenswet’s River Barkley was an inspiration to others, with the star delivering some uplifting, Superman-like speeches. In Netflix’s Hollywood, Corenswet got his most famous lead role to date, with the actor showing all of his charisma and down-to-earth attitude that is perfect for Clark Kent.

Corenswet’s casting as Superman could not have been more perfect. 4 years before he was cast, Corenswet’s Superman comments showed that he was the best choice for the hero in the DCU. After noting how the DCEU’s Superman was dark, Corenswet said, “I would love to see the next one be very bright and optimistic.” That is exactly the path Gunn is taking with the character. In the end, David Corenswet not getting to play the MCU’s Adam Warlock was perfect, as it allowed the best DCU Superman casting to meet its full potential.