David Corenswet, set to portray Superman in the upcoming film of the same name, revealed that his next major role in the December release Mr. Irrelevant features a protagonist with a similar hopeful and confident demeanor. Corenswet described John Tuggle, the subject of the film, as a "very Superman-like figure."
In an exclusive interview with IGN, Corenswet explained his desire to create characters that inspire positivity. "I want to watch films that leave me feeling hopeful, optimistic, energetic," he said. "When the lights come up in the movie theater, I want to look to the people next to me and say, ‘Wow, we should be a little nicer to each other. We just went through something that brought us together, and I want to leave the theater and call my mom.’"
Mr. Irrelevant chronicles the true story of John Tuggle, who was the last player selected in the 1983 NFL draft. Corenswet stars as Tuggle, with Michael Shannon portraying coach Bill Parcells and Isabel May playing Tuggle's love interest, Katie. May noted that while she also seeks out feel-good projects, her recent roles span a wider emotional spectrum.
Corenswet found portraying Tuggle's health struggles particularly challenging, given his own father's passing from cancer. He detailed the physical and emotional toll of filming scenes depicting Tuggle's illness, contrasting it with the football-centric first half of the movie where his stunt double performed most of the demanding physical actions.
Co-star Isabel May also touched on a difficult but lighter scene involving a shower sequence. Corenswet recalled their collaborative efforts with director Jonathan Levine to navigate the scene's delicate balance, with May ultimately providing the solution that resolved the creative impasse. "What if I don't open the curtain?" May suggested, simplifying the scene's complexities.
Though Corenswet and May did not meet Tuggle's family directly, Tuggle's fiancée Katie and other close individuals have seen the film. Corenswet stated that these viewers felt the movie authentically captured John's spirit, noting that Katie found the film to be "absolutely in the spirit of John and in the spirit of what happened." Corenswet hopes the film not only highlights Tuggle's on-field achievements but also his broader impact on the people around him, emphasizing that true influence often lies in personal connections rather than public accolades.
Mr. Irrelevant is scheduled for release in theaters on December 25.