Superman flew back to the big screen in 2006 with the titular feature Superman Returns starring Brandon Routh . But before he was in Man of Steel , Henry Cavill also auditioned for the ambitious reboot. However, there was one particular reason why Routh was ultimately chosen over Cavill.
How Brandon Routh won ‘Superman Returns’ director over Henry Cavill Controversial filmmaker Bryan Singer tried resurrecting Superman for a more contemporary audience with Routh as his lead. But before Routh was cast in the role, several hopeful actors were vying to don the superhero’s costume. This included Cavill, who was just 22 years old at the time when he auditioned for the role.
But in an interview with Refinery 29 , Cavill explained that a shift in management was what ultimately cost him the role. “I screen tested for that role, yeah. McG was attached and there was a different script.
I was high in the running. Whether I had got the role or not, I don’t know,” he said. “For whatever reason McG stopped the project.
A new director came on with a new script, new ideas, and a whole new vision for the movie that I didn’t fit into. So, this was my second chance to play a great character and tell a great story.” That director was Singer who, although was fond of Cavill’s screen test, felt Routh embodied the Christopher Reeve spirit Singer was going for.
“Um...
I think Henry Cavill is great. I knew Henry. He and I were friends years ago.
Oddly enough, the reason I didn’.
