The New SUPERMAN Has Been OFFICIALLY Cast!

**Slytherin Snape** · October 22nd, 2004, 05:14 PM

From BBC News: Unknown actor lands Superman role.

Little-known US actor Brandon Routh has been cast as the man of steel in the new Superman film, due out in 2006. The 25-year-old from Iowa will fill the role famously played by Christopher Reeve, who died earlier this month.

"Contrary to speculation, it was always my intention to hire an unknown for this role," said Bryan Singer, who will direct the currently untitled film. Routh's TV credits include Will and Grace and he has just finished making his first feature film, Deadly.

New era - He was chosen from thousands of hopefuls from the US, Canada, the UK and Australia. "We think Brandon is a gifted young performer who can re-energise this iconic character and excite new audiences about the legend of Superman," said Alan Horn, president of film studio Warner Bros.

The fifth Superman film will be shot in Australia early next year. No other cast members have yet been announced. Singer made his name directing X-Men, X2 and The Usual Suspects.

The first Superman movie in 1978 catapulted Christopher Reeve to stardom - Reeve was also virtually unknown before he landed the role. The film, based on the comic book character, earned him a Bafta award for best newcomer for his natural portrayal of the fumbling Clark Kent, who was transformed into the no-nonsense superhero.

The film was a smash hit across the globe, and went on to become the most successful film in Warner Bros history until that time.

Other actors to have played the role include Kirk Alyn in 1948, George Reeves in a 1950s TV version and Tom Welling in the recent teen TV series Smallville.

superman brandon routh

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From SuperHeroHype.com: Brandon Routh Confirmed as Superman!

While Latino Review broke the news last weekend, Variety has confirmed it with their sources. Though a deal has not yet been inked, relative unknown Brandon Routh is expected to take on the role of Superman for the long-in-the-works feature. Singer and his crew are headed to Australia next month to begin production.

Routh's credits include "One Life to Live," "Gilmore Girls," "Will & Grace" and "Cold Case." He recently wrapped his first feature role in "Deadly," starring opposite "That '70s Show" star Laura Prepon. Routh, 25, was raised in Norwalk, Iowa, just 100 miles south of Woolstock -- the hometown of TV's original Superman, George Reeves.

Also, 'Vincent' pointed us to the Chicago Sun-Times, which reports that Superman screenwriter Dan Harris revealed more of the film's plot: As for script secrets, Harris divulged the following: "He'll begin in his late 20s. He lost his powers in 'Superman 2' and now he has the powers back. But something has happened because he's been away for a long time."

"We're taking off from the first two Superman films with Christopher Reeve. We use his history and then move on with big twists and great special effects. "We're not going to do the origin story again. Our view is if you're over 25 years old, then you've seen the Reeve films and that's Superman to you. If you're under 25, then you watch TV's 'Smallville,' and that's Superman to you."

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From FilmFodder.com: Little-known actor Brandon Routh has landed the starring role in Bryan Singer's "Superman."

Warner Bros. confirmed Routh's casting today in one of those breathless press releases that makes editors vomit ("We are so pleased to have put this extraordinary team of filmmakers and talent together and to be moving forward with a project we've all anticipated so much," said Alan Horn, Warner Bros. president and CEO). Regurgitation aside, the press release signals much needed forward progress for the long-delayed "Superman" project. Finding a director was step 1. Finding a star was step 2. Now all they have to do is film this thing.

Production on the untitled "Superman" movie is scheduled to begin early next year in Australia. Warners is aiming for a summer 2006 release date.

[ October 22, 2004 02:24 PM: Message edited by: ?SNAPE? ]

[ October 22, 2004 02:28 PM: Message edited by: ?SNAPE? ]

levere · October 22nd, 2004, 05:17 PM

Where have you been? This news is a least a couple days old. [img]wink.gif[/img]

Seriously though, I'm glad they decided on an 'unknown' and I'm really glad they are keeping the John Williams theme and some continuity from the first two films.

***PORTHOS*** · October 22nd, 2004, 05:20 PM

I was going to tease you telling you it was about 10 days old news but I see that WB JUST confirm it. But Bryan Singer said it last week.

**Slytherin Snape** · October 22nd, 2004, 05:26 PM

Originally posted by levere:
Where have you been? This news is a least a couple days old. [img]wink.gif[/img]

Actually, it's not. The rumor is several days old, but it was just confirmed by the studio today..... so there! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

*goes to add "officially" to thread title to satisfy the smart-@sses! [img]wink.gif[/img] *

[ October 22, 2004 02:29 PM: Message edited by: ?SNAPE? ]

levere · October 22nd, 2004, 05:38 PM

<-- Is now satisfied.

[img]wink.gif[/img]

**Moviemaniac4** · October 22nd, 2004, 05:38 PM

What I learned today is that the script for "Iron Man" is done, and they wanted to start shooting on 2005. Unfortunatly Tom Cruise will work on "War of the Worlds" and Nick Cage will probably take the "Ghost rider" role.....

**toymank** · October 22nd, 2004, 06:36 PM

well, Im a happy camper [img]graemlins/smarty.gif[/img] [img]tongue.gif[/img]

**madadman** · October 22nd, 2004, 06:39 PM

Well, he looks the part. I just wish they were doing the origin again. [img]frown.gif[/img] I knew they probably wouldn't but the '78 version (even tho Reeve was great) is really showing its age. Oh well, hope it's a good story.