Screen Rant

  • Brandon Routh played the Man of Steel in Superman Returns, but others were considered before him. 1 / 8

    Brandon Routh Superman Returns Pose Vertical

  • At different points in development, Will Smith, Paul Walker, and Brendan Fraser were all considered... 2 / 8

    suicide squad movie reviews will smith deadshot vertical

  • As were Josh Hartnett, David Boreanaz, and Jerry O'Connell. 3 / 8

    Penny Dreadful Josh Hartnett vertical

  • McG and Brett Ratner had also been attached to direct at various points, prior to Bryan Singer coming aboard. 4 / 8

    Babysitter Killer Queen director McG

  • None other than Henry Cavill was also considered for the role... 5 / 8

    Henry Cavill as Superman Vertical

  • With Cavill eventually landing the role for 2013's Man of Steel and becoming the DCEU's Superman. 6 / 8

    Man of Steel poster vertical

  • In the end, Brandon Routh became the Last Son of Krypton in Superman Returns... 7 / 8

  • And he later reprised the role in the Arrowverse crossover, Crisis On Infinite Earths. 8 / 8