6 Actors Who Turned Down the Role of Superman

Superman is one of the most famous characters in pop culture. The Man of Steel has been a superhero for nearly 90 years, flying through comics, TV shows, and movies. But the journey to finding the right actor to play Superman?

Well, it hasn’t been as smooth as Clark Kent’s transition into his superhero persona. A lot of actors have had the chance to play the iconic role but decided to pass on it for various reasons.

Some turned it down because they didn’t want their careers to be controlled by fame, while others just didn’t think it was the right fit for them. In this article, we’re going to look at six big-name actors who turned down the role of Superman—and what made them walk away from the opportunity.

Josh Hartnett

Josh Hartnett is a name you might remember from the early 2000s, where he starred in hits like Pearl Harbor and 30 Days of Night. But did you know he was almost Superman…twice?

Back in 2004, director Wolfgang Petersen was planning a Batman vs. Superman movie, and Hartnett was being considered for the role. But that movie never happened. Years later, another Superman project came up called Superman Flyby, written by J.J. Abrams.

Guess who was still on the list? Yep, Hartnett. So why did he turn it down? According to the actor, he didn’t want to lose control of his life. In an interview with The Guardian, he explained that he didn’t want to be swept up in the fame that comes with being a superhero. The star said:

I didn’t want my life to be swallowed up by my work. You saw what happened to some people back then. They got obliterated by it. I didn’t want that for myself.

Hartnett knew how fame could affect people’s careers, and he didn’t want to end up in that whirlwind. In the end, it was probably the right choice for him. Being a superhero comes with a lot of pressure and expectations, and Hartnett decided that wasn’t the road he wanted to take. He chose his artistic freedom over fame.

Jude Law

Jude Law is one of the Hollywood’s most talented actors, with roles in films like The Talented Mr. Ripley and the Sherlock Holmes franchise. But when it came to playing Superman, Law was not interested.

In the early 2000s, Brett Ratner was trying to get a Superman movie off the ground, based on a script by J.J. Abrams. Jude was approached, but he wasn’t feeling it. In an interview with The Playlist’s “Discourse” Podcast, Law admitted:

So this is true. Yeah. And there was a process of flirtation going on. And I always resisted because it just felt like [off]. And I know you can say, ‘Well, but you played Yonn-Rogg and Dumbledore!’ It just felt like a step too far.

Even though he later played a villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and took on a role in Fantastic Beasts, Superman just didn’t sit right with him. Especially since Law was in big blockbuster movies later on everyone has their limits. Sometimes, things just don’t click, and for Jude, Superman was one of them.

Jacob Elordi

Jacob Elordi, best known for his role in Euphoria, had the opportunity to audition for Superman in the upcoming Superman movie directed by James Gunn. But Elordi wasn’t feeling it. The actor told GQ that he turned down the chance to even read for the role, saying:

I’m supposed to finish it with: ‘Never say never!’ Well, they asked me to read for Superman. That was immediately, ‘No, thank you.’ That’s too much. That’s too dark for me.

At this point in his career, Elordi is focusing on roles that suit his interests, and a superhero movie just didn’t make the cut. 27-year-old added that he doesn’t see himself joining that genre anytime soon. It’s clear he’s staying away from the cape and tights for now.

Steve McQueen

Steve McQueen was known as the “King of Cool” in Hollywood during the 1960s and 1970s. He starred in legendary movies like Bullitt and The Great Escape, and his laid-back style made him a true icon.

But by the time Superman was being cast for the 1978 film, McQueen was pretty much done with the Hollywood life. He wasn’t interested in big blockbuster roles anymore (per Screen Rant). The Hollywood star had already starred in just a couple of movies after 1978, and he was more focused on spending time with his wife, supermodel Barbara Minty, than playing Superman.

When Superman was cast, McQueen wasn’t interested in putting on the cape. He passed on it and decided to focus on his personal life. Sadly, the actor passed away in 1980, and the role of Superman was left to a new face: Christopher Reeve, who made the role his own.

Paul Newman

Paul Newman was another big Hollywood star who was offered the role of Superman. However, the idea of him playing the Man of Steel just didn’t work. At the time, Newman was nearing 50, and the idea of a middle-aged Superman didn’t really sit well with most people (per Far Out).

Can you imagine a gray-haired Superman? It would’ve been a huge stretch. Newman was already a well-established actor, known for his roles in films like Cool Hand Luke and Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

So when he was asked to play Superman, it just didn’t feel right. Newman was at a different stage in his career, and flying around in tights wasn’t something he was interested in doing.

It’s probably a good thing, too—because audiences wouldn’t have bought him as the youthful and strong Superman we all know. Christopher Reeve was the right man for the job, and we’re glad he took it.

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck is no stranger to superhero roles. He’s famously played Batman in the DC Extended Universe films, but did you know he was once considered for Superman too? Affleck was actually on the list for Superman in the early 2000s when a Superman film was in development.

But the Caped Crusader actor didn’t want to jump into another superhero role, especially after already playing Batman. In an interview with Deadline (per Games Radar), Affleck explained why he turned down Superman. He said:

The one benefit of having done all kinds of movies as an actor is, you learn the pros and cons of being tempted to do a really big movie because it costs a lot of money. With Superman , I think they’re going to do a great version. Chris Nolan is brilliant and they’ve got a great director for it. I’d love to do something like Blade Runner , but a lesson I’ve learned is to not look at movies based on budget, how much they’ll spend on effects, or where they will shoot. Story is what’s important.

Plus, he added that there were already other actors ahead of him for the part. So, Affleck passed on Superman, and eventually, Henry Cavill was cast in Man of Steel in 2013.