The question of who will be the next Superman has been up in the air, like a bird or a plane. Casting rumors had leaped over the Hollywood sign in multiple bounds for years now, but when the phone booth finally reopens, the new face of the Man of Steel will be... Brandon Routh.
Who?
For over a decade now, many of Tinsletown's biggest names have been tossed around faster than a speeding bullet -- Nicolas Cage, Josh Hartnett, Paul Walker, Brendan Fraser, Ashton Kutcher, David Boreanaz, and Jerry O'Connell all have been mentioned for the part of Superman. But when X-Men director Marc Singer finally came on board, he said that he wanted to cast an unknown to play the Man of Steel.
Latinoreview.com reported yesterday that the unknown former MTVs Undressed star will be the one selected to don the tights and red cape in the next adventure of America's favorite superhero.
Casting unknowns for the Superman role is nothing new to the character's legacy. Christopher Reeve had done virtually nothing of note before he was cast for the 1978 version hit the screens. The original Superman, Kirk Alyn, was a Vaudeville performer and chorus boy before he donned the cape in the 1948 TV series, and George Reeves, who followed Alyn on screen, was a character actor in several films before he rose to new heights as the man from Krypton.
Routh's credits seem to echo the minimal resume of his predecessors, having done a mere episode of Will & Grace, a bit part on the Gilmore Girls, a quickie stint on the soap One Life to Live, and semi-regular part on MTVs Undressed.
Oh... and he also dressed up as the Man of Steel last Halloween, according to Latinoreview.com. He seems perfect for the part.
Warner Bros. studio has not confirmed Routh's casting, as of yet.
Ain't It Cool News' webmaster Harry Knowles has speculated, though, that Warner Bros. may be holding off the announcement out of respect for Christopher Reeve and his unexpected death.
The new Marc Singer directed Man of Steel flick, Superman Returns, is slated for a summer 2006 release.
