Matt Bomerclaims to have been “the director’s choice” to portraySupermanback in the day, but the studio allegedly didn’t want him for the role because he is gay. Following the disastrous box office returns resulting from Christopher Reeve’s well-meaningSuperman IV: The Quest for Peace(1987), and before Bryan Singer’sSuperman Returns(2006) took flight, there were attempts to make a new movie featuring the DC Comics superhero.
One of those wasSuperman: Flyby, which featured a screenplay by J.J. Abrams and was to be directed first byBrett Ratnerand later by McG (Joseph McGinty Nichol). When asked if his sexual orientation played a part in not receiving the role, Bomer said on theAwards Chatterpodcast (perThe Hollywood Reporter):
Yeah, that’s my understanding, That was a time in the industry when something like that could still really be weaponized against you. How, and why, and who, I don’t know, but yeah, that’s my understanding.
Bomer said in the same interview:
“I went in on a cattle call for Superman,and then it turned into a one-month audition experience where I was auditioning again and again and again.It looked like I was the director’s choice for the role.This is a very early iteration of Superman written by J.J. Abrams, calledSuperman: Flyby,I think is what it was called,and it never came to light.”
Superman Returns
Ultimately,Superman: Flybynever got off the ground. In 2006, Brandon Routh portrayed Clark Kent and Kal-El in Singer’sSuperman Returns, and then Henry Cavill took up the mantle, beginning with Zack Snyder’sMan of Steelin the now defunct DCEU. While Bomer’s big-screen Superman didn’t pan out, he does have the animated filmSuperman: Unbound(2013) to his credit. And the actor is no stranger to the DC brand. Bomer has voiced the Flash many times and, most recently, inJustice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths.
Many Fine Actors Missed Out on Portraying Superman
After the controversial removal of Henry Cavill as Superman, James Gunn castDavid Corenswet as his version of the Man of Steelin the DCU’s first big-screen adventure,Superman(2025). Over the years, many fine actors have almost had the opportunity to suit up as the Last Son of Krypton. Matt Bomer is just one of those who missed the chance to play the iconic DC Comics character — another associated withSuperman: Flybywas Jude Law.
Law was considered to play Clark Kent/Kal-El in what was originally Brett Ratner’sSuperman Flyby,before Bryan Singer took over the project that becameSuperman Returns. Ultimately, it was Law’s choice, and he turned down the role, which went to Brandon Routh. In fact, Law even tried on a version of the famed red-and-blue tights, but it just didn’t fit. Law said during an interview onThe Discoursepodcast (perThe Playlist):
“I tried [it] on,and I looked in the mirror and part of me initially was like,‘Wow, this would be a [good thing],’ and then I just thought, ‘No, you’re able to’t – you can’t do this. You can’t.’And I didn’t sell myself to myself.And I stepped away. And the film never happened anyway.So maybe it probably wouldn’t have done anything.”
Over the years, many well-knownactors almost portrayed the Man of Steel.InSuperman: Flyby,Josh Hartnett and Paul Walker could have suited up as Kal-El. Others who never had to deal with the deadly effects of Kryptonite, or share the screen with Lois Lane include Robert Redford (Superman: The Movie), Brendan Fraser (Superman: Flyby) and Nicholas Hoult (Superman: Legacy). Hoult may have missed out on being Supes, but he was cast as Lex Luthor inLegacy,which is now simply calledSuperman(2025).
The new Man of Steel, David Corenswet, will soar up, up and away whenSupermanhits theaters on June 13, 2025.
