We ended up with Brandon Routh and Henry Cavill, but the other names who almost played the role of Superman in the last 15 years is kind of incredible. From Nicolas Cage in one film to Brendan Frasier in another, dozens of actors were considered to be the Man of Steel. Among them? Jude Law.
Jude Law in 2004’s Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. Soon after this film’s release, he was offered the role of Superman. Image: Paramount
Appearing on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, Law revealed that director Bryan Singer really wanted the actor to play Superman in Superman Returns. Law was mostly against it, but Singer insisted he try on the costume. So he did. And here’s the story.
He’s definitely told this story before, right? I feel like I’ve heard this before. Either way, it’s pretty entertaining.
Turns out it was definitely the right choice for Law. Superman Returns was a profitable film, but not a runaway smash, and the role was recast a few years later.