The Boys Star Jack Quaid Reveals He Auditioned for Title Role in James Gunn's Superman

Jack Quaid, the actor known for playing the long-tortured Hughie Campbell in Prime Video's The Boys, has revealed he auditioned for James Gunn's Superman.

Quaid is the voice of Clark Kent and his alter-ego in the animated My Adventures with Superman series, but he has also considered playing the character in live-action. In fact, The Boys star told Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that he sent an audition tape to play Superman in James Gunn's DCU movie.

I'm the voice of Superman in a cartoon, but I don't really think I fit the bill physically.

"I didn't get very far at all," Quaid admitted. "I put myself on tape, and it went nowhere, and that's fine. Like, that's totally cool, specifically because, I actually know David Corenswet a little bit. We did a pilot years ago that never went anywhere. But he's one of those people you meet, and you go, 'Oh, yeah! Whenever they need another one, it's probably gonna be you.' That guy is Superman. I remember getting that audition and being like, 'Yeah, sure, I'm the voice of Superman in a cartoon, but I don't really think I fit the bill physically at all.' And that's fine, that's totally cool. But it was cool to audition for something like that."

David Corenswet will step out as the Man of Steel in the upcoming Superman movie (previously known as Superman: Legacy), alongside Rachel Brosnahan's Lois Lane. His casting sparked a largely positive reaction online when it was announced, which only strengthened after fans got a first look at him in the suit.

Corenswet himself had tried to break into the superhero genre before, as he previously auditioned for the role of the genetically engineered alien Adam Warlock in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, who was ultimately portrayed by Will Poulter in the final film, but he was seemingly a much better fit for the role of Superman.

Superman will be the first live-action film in the new DCU and will also debut Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, María Gabriela as The Engineer, and more. Gunn has confirmed these actors will play the roles in other DCU projects, too.

Superman is on track to make its debut on July 11, 2025, kicking off the DCU's Chapter One: Gods and Monsters.

Adele Ankers-Range is a freelance entertainment writer for IGN. You can follow her on X/Twitter here.