SUPERMAN: 7 Actors Who Could Replace Henry Cavill As The DCU's New Man Of Steel

Henry Cavill's time as Superman has ended, and with DC Studios boss James Gunn now hard at work on a reboot, we have some ideas when it comes to who could play the DCU's younger Man of Steel. Check it out!

By JoshWilding - Jan 09, 2023 12:01 PM EST

Filed Under: Superman

As DC Studios prepares to reboot the DCEU as the DCU, it's become clear that means saying goodbye to many, if not all, of the actors from the "Snyderverse" era.

Despite his widely celebrated return in Black Adam last October, Henry Cavill's time as the Man of Steel is over, and a new, younger actor will take over the role in James Gunn's planned Superman reboot. All we know about this take on the hero is that he'll be a relatively new arrival in Metropolis.

Finding an actor willing and able to take over as Clark Kent promises to be no easy feat, and while we're sure the casting process has yet to begin, you'd best believe we have some ideas for who could play the new Kal-El.

We would, however, like to point out that the reason no Black actors have made the cut is solely because J.J. Abrams and Ta-Nehisi Coates' Superman movie is still thought to be in the works as an "Elseworlds" story similar to The Batman. That project will be a period piece featuring a Black lead as Kal-El, so we doubt this movie will head down the same route.

From big stars to relative unknowns, you can find some of our top choices by clicking the "Next" button below.

7. Wolfgang Novogratz

The 25-year-old actor doesn't have a huge list of credits to his name, but has recently emerged as a firm fan-favourite to play Superman in the DCU.

Perhaps best known for Netflix films Sierra Burgess Is a Loser, The Last Summer, and The Half of It, the Grown-ish actor is due his big break after proving himself a solid talent in those projects. While he certainly has that farmboy look, there's a risk Novogratz may look too jock-ish, and we'd be intrigued to see whether he can pull off playing the bumbling Clark Kent.

However, as a young Man of Steel brimming with confidence after arriving in Metropolis, following Novogratz's journey as the new Kal-El could prove to be a fun ride.

6. Dacre Montgomery

After playing the Red Ranger in 2017's Power Rangers reboot, Montgomery put himself on the map with a standout turn in Stranger Things.

While we're sure many of you will struggle to picture Billy Hargrove as Superman, we're not discounting the actor's range, particularly after seeing his recent work in Elvis. At 28, he's likely to bring a little more maturity to the role that could be beneficial once this version of the Man of Tomorrow starts crossing paths with his fellow heroes.

We have a feeling Montgomery could do something really special with this role, and it would be great to see him get another shot at playing a superhero.

5. Tanner Buchanan

Despite being only 24, Buchanan has a long list of noteworthy acting credits to his name. His biggest movie role is 2021's He's All That, but on television, we're sure you'll recognise him from The Goldbergs and Cobra Kai.

Now, he does look quite young, but this Superman reboot is still a good few years away, so that's unlikely to be an issue. Like Tom Holland, he's quickly developing that leading man appearance Hollywood so often gravitates towards, and we're convinced he could pull off a very earnest and wide-eyed Clark Kent as The Daily Planet's newest cub reporter.

Having enjoyed his work in Cobra Kai, we're sure big things are on the horizon for Buchanan, and the Man of Tomorrow might be the role he puts himself on the map with.

4. Cody Christian

Fans of Final Fantasy VII Remake may know Christian best for lending his voice to Cloud Strife, but the 27-year-old has made a name for himself with memorable roles in Pretty Little Liars, Teen Wolf, and All American.

As it happens, he very much looks like an all-American young man, and that may be exactly what DC Studios is hoping to find for its Kal-El. With an impressive physique, a chiselled jaw, and a passionate built-in fanbase, Christian could be a perfect match for this iconic character's fresh start in the DCU.

Also worth pointing out is the fact that, in interviews, the actor comes across as very likeable and approachable. Superman is a role that requires more than good looks, and we're confident Christian would hit all the right notes.

3. K.J. Apa

We're sure many of you have done a double take after seeing this suggestion, particularly as Apa is best known for playing the red-headed Archie Andrews in The CW's Riverdale. Find some photos of him without those fiery locks, though, and you may find yourself a little more convinced.

At 25, we'd argue he's the right age for the new Man of Steel, and he's a talented actor who desperately needs to break out of the mould his projects often place him in.

With the swagger this younger Superman is likely to benefit from as he finds his footing as a superhero in Metropolis and a range that's only really been hinted at by his other projects, Apa sits nicely between being an unknown to moviegoers and someone who has a fanbase rooting for him to succeed. We'd be curious to see how he'd do in the role.

2. Will Poulter

At 29, the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 star is actually the oldest suggestion here. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though, as Gunn's movie is going to follow Clark Kent early on in his career, not right at the start. We're not looking for Smallville: The Movie here, remember!

A few years ago, the idea of Poulter playing Superman likely wouldn't have gone down too well, but as our first look at Adam Warlock proved, he's no longer the awkward teenager from his early comedic projects.

Seeing as Gunn has now worked with Poulter, we'd say that gives him an edge, and the filmmaker clearly saw potential in the British actor. Whether he'd be able to play Adam Warlock and Superman at the same time is hard to say, but don't be shocked if his name has already been shortlisted.

1. Jacob Elordi

Elordi looks a lot like a young Matt Bomer, and seeing as he came close to playing Superman once upon a time, the 25-year-old Australian might just find himself eyed for the role at some point too.

In terms of why we think he'd be a good fit, his appearance definitely helps, but so does some solid work in The Kissing Booth series of movies, and an excellent performance in Euphoria alongside heavy hitters like Zendaya and Sydney Sweeney. He's an actor we can imagine being a confident Superman, but also a contemporary, affable Clark Kent.

Everyone here has the potential to make this role their own, but we find it easiest to look at Elordi and imagine him in the classic red and blue costume as the DCU's Man of Steel.

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136 Comments

1 2 3 4

WEAPONXOXOXO - 1/9/2023, 12:02 PM

this list.....

newmutantsRETURNS - 1/9/2023, 12:07 PM

This list is AZZZZZZZZZ

blitzburgh - 1/9/2023, 10:28 PM

@newmutantsRETURNS - O yea

Canon108 - 1/9/2023, 12:10 PM

What a stupid list, none of the names put forward would make a decent Kal-El.

GhostDog - 1/9/2023, 12:12 PM

This list is AWFUL

Don’t even have Corenswet on this

IcePyke - 1/9/2023, 12:48 PM

@GhostDog -
Not this "poor man's Henry Cavill" again... 😑

TheLight - 1/9/2023, 1:03 PM

@GhostDog - The IDEAL candidate.

Cbmfilmjunkie - 1/9/2023, 2:09 PM

@GhostDog - He’s Him. Height, Charisma, Look.

Put on some Muscle and he’s Superman.

Cavill never blew me away as Supes, maybe it was Snyder’s doing but I found him way too aloof and with no sense of cheekiness that Superman always had.

ProudPatriot76 - 1/9/2023, 12:13 PM

Let the DCU burn. Fire Gunn and Safran. Bring in better writing teams. I understand not liking the Snyderverse, I fully get that. But don’t get rid of the actors bringing people to the theaters.

roboticJohnson - 1/9/2023, 12:32 PM

@ProudPatriot76 - fella, at least wait for them to write something before criticizing it. I mean, you're totally free to dislike what they make, but let them make it first. And about the actors, how come black adam bombed despite having cavill in it? Didn't bring that many people then, did he?

ProudPatriot76 - 1/9/2023, 12:57 PM

@roboticJohnson - because a 2min stinger isn’t worth a $15 movie ticket IMO

roboticJohnson - 1/9/2023, 6:07 PM

@ProudPatriot76 - and I agree with that, but still, wb was proven that cavill being in a movie didn't help that much financially, so... And I mean, cavill's never been that big of an actor imo. His most successful movies at the bo usually rely on important ips, like superman or mission impossible, whereas his other movies tend to fail (like the man from uncle and night hunter). No wonder he's stuck to streaming projects for the most part, that's a smart move for him.

Webster614 - 1/9/2023, 6:57 PM

@ProudPatriot76 - grrrr... fire the new guys who I haven't given a chance to yet because they let go of the older, mostly aged out actors who starred in some of the worst versions of these superheroes to grace the big screen. (And I really like Gadot, Momoa, Cavill and Ben).

There will always be new actors that bring bodies to the theaters.

ProudPatriot76 - 1/9/2023, 7:51 PM

@Webster614 - Gunn is going to turn the JL into a comedy. I can see it a mile away. Same thing Schumacher did with Batman.

Kurne - 1/9/2023, 12:14 PM

Why the hell do people keep suggesting Jacob Elordi? Is it just because he's 6'5?

He doesn't have the look (or smile) at all.

NicolausCopernicus - 1/9/2023, 12:17 PM

GhostDog - 1/9/2023, 12:20 PM

@NicolausCopernicus -

JobinJ - 1/9/2023, 12:18 PM

Will Poulter. Hahahaha. This list is a joke.

1 2 3 4

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SUPERMAN: 7 Actors Who Could Replace Henry Cavill As The DCU's New Man Of Steel

Henry Cavill's time as Superman has ended, and with DC Studios boss James Gunn now hard at work on a reboot, we have some ideas when it comes to who could play the DCU's younger Man of Steel. Check it out!

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6. Dacre Montgomery

5. Tanner Buchanan

4. Cody Christian

3. K.J. Apa

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