New Superman actor David Corenswet has revealed a downside to bulking up so much to play the Man of Steel.
The 31-year-old star was announced as the latest actor to take on the iconic role in June last year, while fans got a first look at him in the famous suit in May.
James Gunn’s Superman will hit the big screen in July 2025, and David admitted he has struggled with his changing body as he’s been getting in shape.
‘I wasn’t 238 (pounds) when we started shooting. I was 238 at my max,’ he told the Manly Things (Soft Of) podcast.
He added: ‘I didn’t fit into any of my pants.’
David noted he ‘didn’t feel great’ with his body not adjusting to the extra weight, while he was wearing 2XL sweatshirts at the ‘peak of [his] bulk’.
He dropped around 10 pounds before filming started, taking the role as an ‘excuse’ to experience the weight gain.
He said: ‘I slowly lost weight before we started shooting. I started shooting at about 228, 230… I know I wanted this to be my excuse to see what it felt like to gain essentially as much weight as I could.’
David is best known for starring in Ryan Murphy’s Netflix drama The Politician, as well as appearing in indie horror Pearl.
Fans haven’t seen much in the way of photos from the movie – or filming – but David’s personal trainer Paolo Mascitti has given fans a peek at the actor getting in shape.
He wrote on Instagram: ‘@davidocrenswet worked his ass off , I can’t wait to share more of the training we did to prepare to play this iconic character , stay tuned for more. (sic)’
Rachel Brosnahan – who previously starred in The Marvelous Mrs Misel – will appear opposite David as Clark Kent’s love interest Lois Lane.
The film was originally known as Superman: Legacy before Gunn revealed he was dropping the subtitle in a post in February.
He wrote on Instagram at the time: ‘Overjoyed to be announcing the start of principal photography on Superman today, February 29, which just so happens to be – coincidentally and unplanned – Superman’s birthday.
‘When I finished the first draft of the script, I called the film Superman: Legacy. By the time I locked the final draft, it was clear the title was SUPERMAN. Making our way to you July 2025.’