First Jewish Superman David Corenswet Draws a Hard Line on Roles He’ll Never Take After DCU Breakout
Catapulted to global fame by James Gunn’s Superman, David Corenswet is now in the spotlight for signing the Film Workers for Palestine pledge, joining fellow stars in refusing to work with Israeli film institutions over alleged ties to genocide and apartheid.
David Corenswet just went from playing Superman to making a very public, very loaded real-world choice. The breakout star of James Gunn's Superman has signed a pledge from Film Workers for Palestine, and it is exactly the kind of statement that makes Hollywood very chatty very fast.
What Corenswet actually signed
The pledge launched on September 8, 2025. In plain terms, it calls on people who work in film and TV to refuse jobs with Israeli festivals, production companies, and broadcasters that the group says are tied to what it describes as 'genocide and apartheid' against Palestinians. Coverage of the pledge first popped up in the UK press, and it has only picked up steam as the war in Gaza continues, with enormous civilian casualties and ongoing human rights concerns.
Who else is on it (and who is not)
Corenswet is far from alone. According to Reuters, more than 1,800 actors, filmmakers, and other entertainment workers have signed. Some of the most recognizable names: Olivia Colman, Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Tilda Swinton, Riz Ahmed, Javier Bardem, and Cynthia Nixon. The pledge has quickly become a flashpoint inside the industry — a mix of moral stand, professional minefield, and PR headache — because not everyone agrees on whether to sign, how to speak about it, or whether to go public at all. That split is playing out on social feeds, red carpets, and private industry chatter.
Why Corenswet signing lands differently
Context matters here. Corenswet is Jewish, and he is the guy currently wearing the cape for DC. Signing a boycott pledge that targets Israeli film institutions is not a small move for an actor suddenly at the center of global franchise machinery. Fans noticed — and many praised him for it, framing the decision as walking the walk, not just playing the part.
"He really is Superman!!!"
There have also been comparisons to another Superman, Dean Cain, who previously told Fox News host Jesse Watters that he joined ICE in support of Donald Trump-era immigration policies. The subtext in those comparisons is not subtle.
The bigger picture
Whether you agree with the pledge or not, the timing and the scale of signatories are the story. A-list actors publicly committing to avoid certain festivals and companies puts real pressure on how films get financed, programmed, and promoted — especially in a year when Gaza dominates headlines and awards-season talking points. For Corenswet specifically, this is the moment he plants a flag about how he wants to use his platform, for better or worse depending on where you stand.
Quick 'Superman (2025)' snapshot
- Director: James Gunn
- Producers/Companies: DC Studios, Troll Court Entertainment, The Safran Company
- IMDb: 7.1/10
- Rotten Tomatoes: 83%
- Global box office: $615 million
Your turn: How do you feel about Corenswet signing the Film Workers for Palestine pledge? Smart, risky, overdue, unnecessary — or all of the above?