Brandon Routh calls returning to the role of Superman in the Arrowverse a healing experience. Routh starred as the iconic superhero in 2006's Superman Returns, which was set to restart the Superman film franchise. Despite making $391.1 million at the worldwide box office, the film was seen as a disappointment, and Warner Bros. opted to reboot the property once more, recasting the role of Superman with Henry Cavill in 2013's Man of Steel.
Routh would go on to play Ray Palmer aka The Atom in the Arrowverse on various CW series, including Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow. In 2019, as the Arrowverse was setting up their big event series Crisis on Infinite Earth, they announced that not only would Routh play The Atom but would also reprise his role as Superman in the series, this time with a Kingdom Come inspired look. When Crisis on Infinite Earth aired, it was 13 years since the release of Superman Returns, and it was a chance for the audience and the actor to get some proper closure on the character.
During an interview on the podcast Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum, Routh talked about how it was a healing experience to be Superman again in Crisis on Infinite Earths. Routh spoke about his insecurities making Superman Returns but figured when he played the character again he would be able to relax more, even though the sequel never came. He said part of what made coming back so easy was because of how positive the fan reaction was to his return as he felt he didn't have to prove himself anymore. The full quote is below:
"The first time was so much pressure that I was trying not to look at and couldn't even conceive of. I was like 'I will appreciate the next one, relax into the next one and get through this'. I have a lot of gratitude for having the opportunity to do this again for all the parties that made it possible. The first day I came onto set shooting the Batwoman episode and it was the first time I was appearing as Superman in it and I just thought 'I've already done it.' Even if this is the only scene I'm doing the emotional wound or scar that was left from my experience on Superman Returns was mostly healed because all the lead-up to that. The costume fitting, the wonderful warm fan reaction. People were excited and appreciative of having me return to play the character was validating and healing in so many ways that being there that first day was the most magical of times and I was able to relax and appreciate the experience because I didn't have to prove anything. Just being there having done that, not having been the character for so long and was still thought of, I guess highly enough to reprise even for that little bit was validation I didn't know that I needed I guess and that was very healing."
Routh has been open in the past about the struggles of making Superman Returns and has spoken about the difficulties working with Bryan Singer on set. Routh even admitted that he was heartbroken a sequel to Superman Returns didn't happen. He explained the studio's decision to not move forward on a sequel was because of the film's massive budget compared to its box office gross. The whole process made Routh originally uncertain about returning as Superman once more in Crisis on Infinite Earths but in the end, it paid off as his return was met with positive reactions from audiences and critics alike.
Since then Routh has expressed interest in reprising his role as Superman again, possibly in a Kingdom Come-inspired television series. The DCEU is set to explore the multiverse even more in the upcoming film The Flash. With the return of Michael Keaton's Batman, an appearance by Routh's Superman would fit right in and honor the wider legacy of the DC film universe. Routh's time as Superman may have been short-lived, but like many of the actors who have worn the cape before him, he is now part of the character's rich legacy and to many was their first introduction to Superman. As long as there is still interest by both the actor and the fans, Routh's Superman could always return again in the Arrowverse or another project.