The Men of Steel: Actors who have played Superman over the years

Since the film’s announcement on January 31, 2003, superhero and comic book fans have been eagerly awaiting to experience James Gunn’s vision for Superman. With every new leak or additional piece of information released about the film, the anticipation continued to grow, especially once the cinematic trailer was released.

It depicted a bold new direction for the character, one imagined in a brighter color palette and overall tone. Not only that, it also boasted a brand new cast of characters that would appear alongside the titular hero, breathing fresh air into an IP that seemed to be tired and stagnant.

Many actors have taken on the mantle of the iconic character including Christopher Reeve, Dean Cain, Brendan Routh, and Henry Cavill. Newcomer David Corenswet will be our newest Superman, and the overall public consensus seems to be optimistic for the upcoming Kal-El. The hope is that he can usher in the Kryptonian savior into the modern era distinctively and memorably.

Corenswet hinted at his intentions if cast in an interview with Entertainment Weekly in 2019,

“(My goal is) definitely to play Superman. I would love to see somebody do an upbeat, throwback (take on Superman), I love the Henry Cavill dark and gritty take, but I would love to see the next one be very bright and optimistic.”

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A History of The Men of Steel actors playing Superman

The iconic Superman character made his live-action debut 77 years ago in 1948. The first actor to play the hero was Kirk Alyn who appeared in a serial movie. Since this performance, there have been countless iterations of the character in movies and television, as well as other mediums, of which a select few have really stood out. These interpretations have embraced the character’s nuances beautifully and successfully adapted the source material to their era and beyond.

The timeless nature of the character and some of the most powerful portrayals over the decades puts a considerable amount of pressure on James Gunn’s upcoming version. The DC tentpole character has had a storied legacy dating back over half a century when he was first introduced, and Gunn and Corenswet certainly have a lot to live up to in their summer 2025 release.

With that said let’s explore some of the most impactful portrayals of the character in modern times.

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Christopher Reeve

While he was not the first actor to portray the superhero, Reeve’s take has become entrenched as the definitive performance that endeared the character to modern audiences. His stature and all-American good looks lent perfectly to the character, and he made his big screen debut in Richard Donner’s 1978 classic Superman. Reeve would reprise his role as the title character a total of 3 times with the last coming in 1987. He amassed heaps of recognition over his 4 film run as the character, although even his most loyal supporters couldn’t argue with the fact that the overall quality of the films dipped after his sophomore appearance in Superman II.

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Dean Cain

Dean Cain brought the iconic hero to television sets in the 1990s ABC series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman. This was the first significant live-action portrayal of the character on the small screen, and over time his portrayal became the definitive one for the millennials who grew up knowing only him as the superhero with the cape. The show ran over 4 seasons and also featured Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane, a role that catapulted her long-lasting and well-documented career as an actor. The show Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman aired on ABC from 1993 to 1997.

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Tom Welling

Tom Welling portrayed his version of Superman on Smallville, a TV show that aired on the CW and began its 10-season run in 2001. His portrayal was extremely meaningful to audiences as it was the first to depict the Kryptonian navigating his powers and responsibilities as a teenager. Despite his phenomenal abilities, this more grounded take showed a human and imperfect version of the character who had a lot to learn before he could fully embrace his role as a savior for our planet. Welling's take on the character was notable for its focus on Clark's humanity and vulnerability, making him a relatable and endearing Superman for the coming generation of fans.

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Brandon Routh

Brandon Routh had the immense pressure of modernizing Superman for the big screen when he assumed the role in 2006’s Superman Returns. This would be the first time audiences had seen the character since Reeve’s last depiction in 1987. He certainly looked the part, with many comparing his appeal and overall stature to Reeve once they finally saw him in the suit. While reaction to the film was split, the commentary on Routh’s performance was certainly more positive, although he would never get the chance to reprise his role in future projects.

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Henry Cavill

Henry Cahill was first cast as the superhero in Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel in 2013 and would appear as Superman in a total of 5 films in the DC Extended Universe. Despite his charm and good looks, fans were initially hesitant as he was a relatively unknown commodity at that point and would also be the first non-American to lend his talents to the role.

The speculation began to die down when the masses took note of the physical preparation he underwent for the role, fully transforming himself into a specimen unlike any of his predecessors. Even though filmgoers loved his interpretation of the character, many including the actor himself thought the hero could benefit from a softer depiction, one accessible to a much wider demographic than Snyder’s notably darker perspective.