Summary
As of August 01, 2025, it’s only one year until James Gunn’sSupermanhits theaters where fans will meet to a new actor in the red and blue spandex. James Gunn has made it clear that this will not be an origin story, setting it apart from most other new iterations.Zack Snyderalso set hisSupermanapart from previous iterations by having him actually fight rather than lift heavy objects above his head. The one thing he failed to utilize, which James Gunn looks to be rectifying, is theClark Kentcharacter.
Photos from the set of James Gunn’sSupermanhas shown that David Corenswet will be playing Clark Kent at least a couple of times in the movie. Some across social media aren’t too happy with the look of this Clark. The hair bothers them. However, the hair might be the best part about this Clark and actually sets it apart from other actors who played the same role.
The Clark Kent Alter Ego, Explained
Unlike other superheroes in the DC universe whose true identity is hidden under a cowl or domino mask, Superman has his face out there for all the world to see. His true identity of Clark Kent (arguable, according to Quentin Tarantino’sKill Bill Vol. 2), is merely disguised behind a pair of glasses. So, how is it that nobody knows that Clark Kent is Superman? For starters, it’s not just the glasses and it’s never been about the glasses.
The Clark Kent persona has a vastly from Superman, which makes a huge difference. Clark stammers periodically, giving off the impression that he’s insecure. His diction is different. Lois Lane ridiculed Christopher Reeve’s Clark for using the word “swell” in the 1978Supermanfilm. His voice is softer than Superman’s and he slouches. Clark Kent is known as a clumsy person, always fumbling for different items in his pockets or briefcase. He gets his tie stuck in a car door and he bumps into people regularly. He keeps his eyes down as a means to display that he’s not an authority figure.
Beyond his behavior, Clark wears his clothes differently. They’re typically baggier because he’s hiding his physique. He chooses bland outfits, something one would expect afarmboy from Kansasto wear. Clark doesn’t appear to have any sense of style. Then, of course, there’s his glasses, which he’s commonly fidgeting with. He has to repeatedly push them back up on his nose and keep them from falling off his face. Just one more thing to fumble with. That alone wouldn’t be enough to fool even the least observant citizens of Metropolis, however.
It’s the hair. The hair is a crucial part of everybody’s style. The hair plays with a person’s eyes. Somebody with longer hair might be harder to recognize if their friend has only seen them with short hair. They might even pass each other on the street without even a second glance. And that’s why it’s important for Clark Kent’s hair to be drastically different than Superman’s and whyDavid Corenswet’s Clark Kenthair style is so spot on.
Corenswet’s Hair for Clark Kent is Perfect
Once fans get past the fact that this Clark Kent resembles the popularpolitical Twitch streamer Hasan Piker, it’s the perfect look for the character. On top of changing his behavior and posture, the hair being up, curly, and in his face, will play well into thedisguise. If his glasses happen to fall off, the last person any onlookers will think of is Superman, which is important for Clark. He’s an investigative journalist who has to interview some people he comes into contact with as Superman.
While Clark Kent isn’t in the limelight by any stretch of the imagination, it’s not uncommon for him to come into contact with Superman’s archenemy Lex Luthor as well as others. If his hair were slicked back or even parted to the side, his face would be more exposed. Put Corenswet’s Superman next to his Clark Kent, they don’t look like each other in the slightest.James Gunnor whoever decided on Clark’s hair for the newSupermanmovie outdid themselves.
James Gunn’s Superman Movie Should Feature More Clark Kent
Something the DCEU, more specificallyZack Snyder’s Superman, failed to show was adult Kal-El balancing his double life as both Superman and Clark Kent. WhileBatman v Supermanshowed him as Clark more thanMan of Steel, it wasn’t much and he barely acted any different than Superman. James Gunn should highlight the double life that Kal-El lives. It adds a new story element for the audience by presenting anew set of challengesfor the character and some tension.
Balancing a personal life with heroics is commonly seen inSuperman & Loiswith Tyler Hoechlinin the titular role, who arguably plays the two sides of the character the best. Not that there aren’t ways to make Superman relateable to the audience, but it’s more difficult since he’s an alien with amazing superpowers. Clark Kent is more relateable and helps the audience connect to the movie. Yes, everybody wants to see Superman doing super things, but they also want to see themselves on the screen.
