Why Jude Law rejected the role of Superman — even after trying on the suit
The superhero world isn’t for everyone.
Jude Law revealed that he was considered for the role of Clark Kent-Superman in Brett Ratner’s axed superhero movie in the early 2000s, but he ultimately passed on the major career opportunity.
“This is true. Yeah. And there was a process of flirtation going on,” Law, 51, said on the June 12 episode of The Playlist’s “The Discourse” podcast.
“And I always resisted because it just felt like [off]. And I know you can say, ‘Well, but you played Yon-Rogg and Dumbledore!’ ” Law added, referring to his roles in “Captain Marvel” and “Fantastic Beasts.”
“It just felt like a step too far.”
Law recalled that there wasn’t even a script yet for Ratner’s movie, but producers had him try on the Superman suit with the hopes of changing his mind about doing the film.
“It wasn’t the [Christopher] Reeve suit. It was kind of like, it was more metallic,” he said. “Anyway, 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 can’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.”
Law isn’t the first actor who was close to playing Superman on the big screen.
Matt Bomer recently revealed that he was in the mix for J.J. Abrams’ “Superman: Flyby,” which was similarly axed in the early 2000s. But according to Bomer, he didn’t get the role because he is gay.
“I was auditioning again and again and again and flying out to New York and doing chemistry reads and flying out to LA and doing chemistry reads, back to New York, flying back to LA to do a screen test, and it looked like I was the director’s choice for the role,” Bomer said on the Hollywood Reporter’s “Awards Chatter” podcast episode on June 10.
After claiming he lost the job because of his sexuality, Bomer recalled, “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.”
Brandon Routh ended up taking on the role of Superman in Bryan Singer’s “Superman Returns” in 2006.
Henry Cavill took over when the franchise was rebooted, starting with Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel” in 2013.
David Corenswet is the latest actor to play Superman on the big screen. He’s starring in James Gunn’s upcoming movie which will be released in July 2025.
