How a Midwestern actor became the face of a rebooted Superman franchise
In short: Before Brandon Routh became an instant celebrity as Superman in 2006, he was a small-town Iowa native who considered acting an unrealistic career. His journey from an extra in a music video to the lead in a major DC Comics film highlights the unpredictable nature of Hollywood casting and franchise development.
Born in Des Moines and raised in Norwalk, Iowa, Brandon Routh grew up with a background that director Bryan Singer later found perfect for the role of Superman. Routh's path to stardom began after he moved to Los Angeles in 1999, initially working as an extra and appearing in television soap operas like One Life to Live. His physical resemblance to Christopher Reeve, the actor who previously defined the role, became a central theme in his early career and eventually caught the attention of Singer.
The development of the 2006 film Superman Returns was a decade-long endeavor for Warner Bros., involving numerous potential stars and directors. Singer, however, insisted on casting an unknown actor to embody the collective memory of the character. Routh, who was 24 at the time of his casting in 2004, underwent a physical transformation for the role, gaining 22 pounds to reach 218 pounds. Despite generally positive reviews for his performance, the film was a box office disappointment, grossing $200 million against an estimated $270 million budget, which halted plans for sequels.
Following his time as Superman, Routh maintained a steady career in film and television, often returning to the superhero genre. He played Todd Ingram in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World and later joined the Arrowverse as Ray Palmer, also known as The Atom. His versatility allowed him to navigate various roles, from spy dramas like Chuck to romantic comedies such as The Nine Lives of Christmas. Routh even reprised his iconic Superman role during the 2019-2020 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' crossover event, bridging his past and present work within the DC universe.
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