David Corenswet’s Superman has inevitably been compared to Henry Cavill’s version of the hero since his casting, and after a new trailer, I think the DC Universe can beat the previous iteration of the character in a key way. I was sad to see Cavill replaced as Superman. The actor never really got the best material as the character nor the screen time Superman deserved in the DCEU. Still, I’d say that Cavill is one of the best live-action Superman actors, and you could feel his passion for the DC hero every time he talked about him.

DC has moved on from Cavill, with James Gunn’s Superman movie rebooting the character for the new DCU. I believe David Corenswet was the perfect choice to lead the DCU’s Chapter One and beyond as the Man of Steel. Since he was cast, fans have been comparing Henry Cavill’s Superman and David Corenswet’s Clark Kent. At this time, I don’t think the comparisons really work because of how little we have seen of Corenswet’s Superman. However, after a new trailer for the upcoming DCU movie, I believe that Corenswet has the potential to beat a key Cavill Superman element.

James Gunn Is Trying A Fresh Approach To Superman’s Flying Scenes

The DCU Superman Trailers Show How That Will Work

Superman’s powers have been adapted many times in live-action. As the world’s most well-known superhero, the Man of Steel’s abilities have become classic cornerstones of DC, and every new version of the character has showcased them, with some trying to do so differently from what came before. That happens to be the case with James Gunn’s vision for the DC hero. In the DCU, Superman’s flight scenes, a key component of the character, are inspired by Top Gun: Maverick. As reported by ComicBook.com, Gunn revealed that Superman “took a lot from films like Top Gun: Maverick.”

Top Gun: Maverick // Superman #Superman pic.twitter.com/4KdTJW84pC — BLURAYANGEL 🦇 (@blurayangel) January 27, 2025

According to the DC boss, what he means by this is keeping the action alive in the air. Advanced small drones were used to follow Superman and other flying characters in the DC movie. As a major fan of the Top Gun franchise and someone who thinks that Top Gun: Maverick is one of the best action films of all time, I can’t help but be excited by how Superman is inspired by that movie’s most thrilling aspect. I know some fans think Superman’s face looks weird in the shot seen above, but I like the fluidity of the flight.

I Think Henry Cavill Had Superman’s Best Live-Action Flight Scenes

Zack Snyder Always Knew What To Do With Action Sequences

While I was not always a fan of the story the DCEU reserved for Henry Cavill’s Superman, I have to praise director Zack Snyder’s work on the character’s action scenes. Snyder did a great job of representing Superman’s powers on the big screen, showing the audience the weight of every punch he landed and how powerful his heat vision was. However, I think the best representation of Superman’s power in the DCEU was through his flight scenes. Superman has had many great flight sequences in both movies and TV shows, but Henry Cavill has the best of the bunch.

Every single time Cavill’s Superman took to the skies, I was in awe. Superman had dynamic flight scenes full of gorgeous visuals and a triumphant score in the DCEU. That is why I believe Man of Steel‘s “First Flight” is the best Superman flight sequence we have had in live-action. It is just epic. Superman in costume for the first time, learning how to fly. Cavill’s Clark Kent struggles at first, but Superman never gives up. It’s emotional when he finally manages to fly, with Jor-El’s voiceover, Superman’s smile, and the stunning visuals making it Cavill’s most iconic Superman scene.

Superman’s Flight Scenes Are Important To Get Right & The DCU Shows It Will

I Trust James Gunn’s Vision For The Man Of Steel

Since flight is the most common power associated with Superman, it is important that the DCU’s upcoming Man of Steel movie gets it right. With David Corenswet’s Superman following Henry Cavill’s and how the latter is responsible for the best live-action Superman flight scenes, the new version of Clark Kent will have quite a high bar to clear. Still, based on what we have seen of Superman in action in the DCU movie and what DC has revealed in terms of cast and story, I think Corenswet’s Superman flight scenes have a shot at surpassing Cavill’s.

DCU Superman Movie Cast

Actor
Character

David Corenswet
Clark Kent/Superman

Rachel Brosnahan
Lois Lane

Nicholas Hoult
Lex Luthor

Skyler Gisondo
Jimmy Olsen

Terence Rosemore
Otis

Sara Sampaio
Eve Teschmacher

Nathan Fillion
Guy Gardner/Green Lantern

Edi Gathegi
Michael Holt/Mister Terrific

Isabela Merced
Hawkgirl

Anthony Carrigan
Rex Mason/Metamorpho

Maria Gabríela De Faría
Angela Spica/The Engineer

Frank Grillo
Rick Flag Sr.

The DCU’s Superman flight sequences are creative and fluid. I like the idea of using drones to give a more dynamic and intense feel to the flight sequences. In the first Superman movie trailer, Corenswet’s Superman also flies very fast into the sky in a way that reminded me of Cavill’s “First Flight” scene. I don’t think that is just a coincidence, as Gunn said Snyder’s DC movies also influenced him. Based on that and how Superman‘s many heroes and villains ensure he will be flying in and out of action frequently, I think Corenswet can beat Cavill.