The drama surrounding the new era of the DC franchise, now officially dubbed DCU and ran under DC Studios, has now engulfed the character of Superman. Just one month after announcing that Henry Cavill would return for future projects as the Man of Steel, new DC Studios co-head James Gunn confirmed that he was writing a new solo film for the character that will feature a younger Clark Kent, thus no more Cavill. But which actor will take the reins?
Gunn stated that he had a conversation with Cavill to inform him of the news, and that they are actively working together to find a new role for the English actor. However, for Superman, the role is yet again unfilled. Details are scarce at this stage, but Gunn did say that this will be a younger version of the character, which gives fans a bit more of a clue as to who will be taking cover. Here are five actors that could play Superman in the new movie.
Rohan Campbell
Rohan Campbell is a 25-year-old Canadian actor that stars in The Hardy Boys, a mystery series on Hulu. Perhaps more notably, Campbell played Corey Cunningham in this year’s Halloween Ends and was essentially the main character. That trilogy capper divided audiences with how different it was from previous iterations, with the creative team choosing to focus much more on Corey than Michael Myers, but there’s no doubt that Campbell showed his acting abilities in the new film. Corey Cunningham was essentially the rebirth of Michael Myers, a new evil infecting Haddonfield, and that’s obviously a very different character than the pure-hearted Superman. Still, Campbell showed his range as he played a mild-mannered young boy early on in the film, so there’s no doubt he can bring that youthful energy to the table.
Campbell also shares the classic Superman look, sporting darker hair and a chiseled jaw. He wears glasses on and off in Halloween Ends and that was a trick the director used to inform audiences that Corey had gone from a good person (with glasses on) to a bad one (without glasses on). Although it’s very different, Superman still has that sense of importance when it comes to the character’s glasses and the way in which it helps him disguise as Clark Kent, and Campbell has already proven himself in that regard. At 25 years old, Campbell is also the perfect age to be a younger iteration of the hero who Gunn says will be just starting off his career as a reporter for the Daily Planet.
Jack Alcott
Jack Alcott is another young actor that could take over from Henry Cavill. Alcott is best known for his role as Harrison Morgan in Dexter: New Blood, the follow-up series to the hit show that ended in 2013. Dexter is one of the most beloved and well known characters of this era of television and played so brilliantly by Michael C. Hall, but Alcott held his own the entire time. Harrison had a kindness to him, much like Dexter in a way, but also a darkness and mysterious nature, and the young actor tackled all of these aspects extremely well.
Once again, at 23 years old, Alcott would be another young choice for the role. As the DCU ramps up in the future, he is definitely someone who they can rely on to stick around and remain with the franchise, just as Marvel Studios and Sony are doing with Tom Holland and Spider-Man.
Michael B. Jordan
Michael B. Jordan is older than the previous two on this list, and certainly more recognizable, but has been linked to the character of Superman before. Warner Bros. reportedly met with the actor at a few points to try to develop a Man of Steel film, especially as Jordan is a passionate fan.
For starters, bringing Jordan into the role would give this character a much-needed boost of diversity and an opportunity for an actor of color to leave his mark on this famous hero. But beyond that, Jordan is also an incredible actor, as he’s showed time and time again in his career, and has excelled in comic book films before with Black Panther. Jordan is now starring and directing in Creed III, showing that his talents extend beyond the front of the screen. If Warner Bros. want star power and an immediately recognizable face to take on the cape, Michael B. Jordan would be a great choice.
Jacob Elordi
Jacob Elordi is another young actor, coming in at 25 years of age. He’s best known as Nate Jacobs in the hit HBO series Euphoria, and can also be seen in Netflix’s The Kissing Booth franchise. Elordi is a face that many audience members won’t be familiar with, which could add to the youthful newness that Gunn clearly wants for this new iteration. Elordi is also 6 foot 5 and sports the size and stature of the Man of Steel extremely well.
Barry Keoghan
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Barry Keoghan is no stranger to the comic book genre after appearing in Marvel’s Eternals and even playing the Joker in 2022’s The Batman. If the Irish actor wanted to jump from Gotham to Metropolis, he would certainly have the acting chops to do so. Keoghan is arguably the best and most talented performer on this list, easily going from playing a youthful, innocent teenager in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk to a villain in The Killing of a Sacred Deer. More recently, Keoghan appeared in The Banshees of Inisherin, a film that starred two heavyweights in the form of Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. Still, Keoghan held his own and arguably stole the show.
Keoghan is 30 years of age, but appears younger. His high voice and relatively petite stature (at least compared to the domineering presence of Robert Pattinson’s Batman) adds to the bright-eyed charm that Gunn and co. are looking for.