When Brandon Routh was cast as Superman in Superman Returns, it felt like destiny. The 2006 film had the hype, the iconic character, and a big-budget promise. Routh was plucked from a sea of auditions, and suddenly, he was the Man of Steel, standing shoulder to shoulder with stars like Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey.
Everyone thought he was on the fast track to stardom. But here’s where things took a surprising turn and the movie didn’t exactly take off as planned. Sure, it made some cash—almost $400 million worldwide, to be exact. Critics even gave it decent reviews!
However, no sequel followed, and Routh found himself wondering what went wrong. The fame didn’t last. Instead of launching him into superhero super-stardom, it sent him spiraling into TV roles and a long search for a comeback. He faced a hard truth: sometimes, playing the hero on screen can make you feel like a sidekick in real life.
How Superman Returns Almost Destroyed Brandon Routh’s Career
Brandon Routh, fresh-faced and full of hope, stepped into the role of Superman. The film dropped, and while it’s a hit in terms of box office numbers, the sequel everyone dreamed of never happened.
Routh went from the center of the superhero universe to struggling to land roles. In 2020, he shared how he coped with this letdown. “Thank goodness I didn’t turn to drugs or alcohol,” he said on Inside of You podcast with Michael Rosenbaum, reflecting on his struggles.
The actor thought he’d ride the Superman wave straight to the A-list, but instead, he found himself riding the wave of disappointment. And the dream fizzled out. He signed a multi-picture deal, thinking he’d be wearing that red cape for years.
But when Warner Bros. pulled the plug on the sequel, it was like ripping the cape right off him. Routh had to deal with the reality of Hollywood: it can be brutal. Superman Returns was supposed to be his launchpad, but instead, it turned into a landing strip for missed opportunities.
Why Did Brandon Routh Only Star in One Superman Movie?
It’s hard to believe that someone so talented could be limited to just one film as Superman. Routh thought he’d be the next big thing, making Superman movies for years. When asked about his one-off role, he told EW:
It’s an opportunity for me to kind of say hello and goodbye to the character in a way I didn’t get to the first time. Being a young individual of 24, 25, I thought, ‘Oh, I’m going to do this for years and make multiple movies.’ And that of course didn’t happen. I’m just very honored to be able to do this one last time.
Yep, that goodbye came way too soon. He had his hopes high with a potential sequel dated for 2009, but the box office didn’t back him up. Warner Bros. thought they had a winner on their hands, but after the lukewarm response, they quickly changed course.
Routh’s dreams were dashed, and he was left wondering what happened. The sad reality is that despite the initial hype, the sequel never saw the light of day. Hollywood moves fast, and Routh learned that the hard way. Instead of donning the cape again, he found himself navigating a different path.
Brandon Routh’s Role in Arrow, The Flash, and Legends of Tomorrow
Fast forward a few years, and Routh wasn’t done with superheroes just yet! In 2014, he scored a role in the TV series Arrow as Ray Palmer, aka The Atom. This was his chance to step back into the superhero spotlight, even if it was on the small screen.
Routh didn’t stop there. He made guest appearances in The Flash and became a main character in Legends of Tomorrow. This was like finding a second life after being a superhero one-time wonder. Routh took his iconic character and gave it a twist.
In 2019, he surprised everyone by reprising his role as Superman during the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event. Fans were thrilled to see him back in the iconic suit, making it feel like a big reunion. Routh proved that even after setbacks, there’s always a chance for redemption and reinvention.
Brandon Routh’s Other Roles Besides Superhero Movies
While Routh may be best known as Superman, he has had a pretty colorful career outside of capes and tights. In 2011, he played the title character in Dylan Dog: Dead of Night. It didn’t exactly set the box office on fire, but hey, at least he was still acting!
He also had a memorable role in Chuck as Daniel Shaw, where he got to flex his acting chops beyond the superhero genre. And who could forget his fun appearances in Zack and Miri Make a Porno and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World? Routh even reprised his role as Todd Ingram in the animated series Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.
These roles showed he could do more than just wear a cape. They also highlighted his ability to blend humor and action, making him a versatile actor. So while Superman Returns may have stalled his career momentarily, Routh kept finding ways to keep his name in the game.
Superman Returns is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video!
Frequently asked questions
Why did Brandon Routh only play Superman once in Superman Returns?
Although Superman Returns (2006) earned close to $400 million worldwide and drew reasonable reviews, Warner Bros. considered the result underwhelming for such a costly tentpole and never moved ahead with the sequel that had reportedly been eyed for around 2009. Routh, then in his mid-twenties, said he had signed on expecting to make multiple films, but the studio changed course and he never wore the cape again in a Warner Bros. feature.
How did Superman Returns affect Brandon Routh’s career afterward?
Routh had hoped the role would launch him to the A-list, but once the sequel collapsed he found it hard to land major movie parts and gradually shifted toward television. In a 2020 appearance on Michael Rosenbaum’s Inside of You podcast, he spoke candidly about coping with that disappointment, and he has reflected on saying ‘hello and goodbye’ to the character far sooner than he expected.
Did Brandon Routh ever play a superhero again after Superman Returns?
Yes. In 2014 he joined the Arrowverse as Ray Palmer, also known as The Atom, on Arrow, then made guest turns on The Flash and became a main cast member on Legends of Tomorrow. He also briefly returned as Superman for the 2019 Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, alongside other roles in projects such as Chuck, Dylan Dog: Dead of Night, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World.
