Superman Star David Corenswet Recalls These Encouraging Words from Christopher Reeve’s Son Will (Exclusive)

Superman star David Corenswet received some words of encouragement from the son of a previous Man of Steel.

Will Reeve — the Good Morning America correspondent and child of late actor Christopher Reeve — has a cameo in the upcoming movie, and the two men had a chance to chat.

“He’s a very sweet and encouraging and positive guy,” Corenswet, 31, says of the journalist, 33.

“It would be odd to say that he gave us his stamp of approval because he would be the first to say that that’s not his place to approve or disapprove,” he continues.

“But when you have somebody like him on set who’s excited at what they’re seeing and who is excited for you, that’s a very encouraging sign and means a lot,” he says. 

“Both because of his connection to his dad and the original big screen Superman, but also just because it’s always great to have a 6′ 4″ handsome, sweet guy say, ‘Hey, you’re doing great stuff. Keep going.’ That’s always helpful.”

Christopher Reeve played Superman in four films, beginning with 1978’s Superman: The Movie. He reprised the role in Superman II (1980), Superman III (1983) and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987). Reeve died from heart failure in 2004, nine years after a horseback riding accident left him paralyzed from the neck down.

Following Reeve, Brandon Routh and Henry Cavill portrayed the superhero on the big screen.

Corenswet takes his turn when Superman debuts in theaters on July 11. Nicholas Hoult — who also auditioned to play the man with an S on his chest — costars as Lex Luthor, while The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel Emmy winner Rachel Brosnahan plays Lois Lane.

Philadelphia native Corenswet has previously starred on Ryan Murphy’s Netflix series The Politician and Hollywood. He has also appeared in other films including Pearl and last summer’s blockbuster Twisters.

While Corenswet was on a break from making the latter film, he got the call from director James Gunn telling him he had been cast as Superman. 

“It started with, ‘Hey David, it’s James Gunn.’ And I said, ‘Can you prove that?’ I guess in the moment before when I saw the unknown 310 number, I thought, ‘I’m pretty sure this is James telling me whether or not I got the part, but it could be anybody from Los Angeles who has my number and maybe somebody’s going to play a prank on me,’” recalls Corenswet.

“Anyway, I think he appreciated that and he said, ‘That’s a good point. I’m calling to offer you the role of Superman.’ And I said, ‘Well, you’re the only person who could do that, so it must be you,’” he adds.

For more on Superman and tons of other summer fun around the country, click here or pick up this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on stands Friday.