Phoebe Dynevor was one of the actresses in the running to play Lois Lane in James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy. Dynevor talked about how she found the script of the film, and what she thought Lois Lane’s characters would do in the story.
James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy cast Rachel Brosnahan as his Lois Lane, announced right before actors and writers went on strike in 2023. Dynevor has been very forthcoming about her thoughts about the character, and how she thought the audition went.
Phoebe Dynevor says “[Lois Lane] saves Superman”
Phoebe Dynevor, speaking with Variety, talked about her experience during the audition, and how it zoomed past her. She seems to have thoroughly enjoyed working towards the role, even if she did not get the part in the end. She said:
“It was a whirlwind and then I realized that it was over, but it was great”
The actress further explained that Lois Lane is the kind of character that she would love to play. The role was previously essayed by Amy Adams in the DCEU, which has been squarely put to rest with its last instalment, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, still playing in theatres.
Dynevor then went on to comment on the nature of Lois Lane. However, it was not clear whether she was talking about the character in general or the specific interpretation that we will see in Superman: Legacy. The actor said:
“She saves Superman. She’s the brains; she’s actually the fearless one.”
Given how often it is that Lois plays the damsel in distress in Superman stories, recent versions of the character, especially in modern times, have seen themselves take up a more active role, helping Superman investigate ongoing in Metropolis, whether they are the machinations of Intergang or targeted attacks by Lex Luthor.
The actress was among the many who got into the final rounds of auditions to play the characters, with the others being Emma Mackey, Smara Weaving, and of course, Rachel Brohasnan. Dynevor had a very calm and measured outlook on the role of Lois Lane, that she did not end up getting. However, her attitude remained unchanged.
Phoebe Dynevor turns down plenty of roles herself
Dynevor, while talking about her film Fair Play, mentioned how she keeps a balance between her work and life. The actor is not only particular about the roles she picks but often finds herself questioning her rejections. With regards to keeping her work and her life separate, she said:
“Having a separation is the key. Being able to clearly say, ‘This is my job; it’s not my life.’ There’s a line now.”
This also keeps her from taking on certain roles, since actors have to find a way to say no without alienating industry partners and producers because that’s how the industry functions. Dynevor revealed:
“It’s bizarre. The working actor inside me is like, ‘What are you doing saying no?”
However, the actor keeps the focus on doing work that she sees meaning in. Until the work “speaks” to her, she continues to say no. It has to be a part she believes can do good, that she can represent properly and that can mean something.
