James Gunn, director of 'Superman': "He's the biggest movie star in the world, and people don't know it yet."

James Gunn, director and screenwriter of the highly anticipated Superman film, which opens July 11 , has stated that the film marks a turning point in the DC universe and the future of the industry. While promoting the premiere, the filmmaker expressed his conviction about the impact his protagonist will have on the big screen, declaring that "people still don't know" what they're about to discover.

The actor he's referring to is David Corenswet , the new face of the Man of Steel, trained at the Juilliard Conservatory of Arts in New York and relatively unknown to the general public until now. Gunn, who already turned Chris Pratt into a superstar with the Guardians of the Galaxy saga, claims to have detected in Corenswet a rare mix of acting talent , comic charisma and physical attractiveness.

"I said the same thing about Chris back in the day," the director recalled to CNN . "I think David is the biggest movie star in the world, and people don't know it yet." The film, the first major venture of the newly founded DC Studios, is designed as the launching point for a renewed cinematic universe.

In Gunn's own words, Superman was born from his love of comics, a medium he was taught to read from the age of three. The new perspective presents the hero facing a distrustful world, where public opinion and social media question his intentions, reflecting very current concerns. "It really comes from asking: what if this were real? " the director explained about the script's approach.

"The most difficult film I've ever made"

Along with Corenswet, Nicholas Hoult stands out as Lex Luthor, an antagonist with overtones of a power-obsessed tech executive . Although Hoult initially opted for the role of Superman , it was during the screen tests that Gunn realized: "This guy is Lex." They are joined in the cast by Rachel Brosnahan , known for the series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel , as Lois Lane.

Despite the film's political and social dimensions, the director has sought to maintain the lighthearted, witty tone that characterizes his style, with touches of humor, sharp dialogue, and the endearing inclusion of Krypto , Superman's dog, inspired by his own pet . For Gunn, the challenge has been personal: "It's the toughest movie I've ever made." And, as he admits, much now depends on whether the public agrees with him.