Brandon Routh Interview: Still flying high | Metro Comic Con Interview

Brandon Routh is a member of an exceptionally exclusive club. He's one of only a few who've made you believe a man could fly.

Making his way as an aspiring actor, he was recognised for his resemblance to Christopher Reeve. And just like Reeve, his career launched into the stratosphere when he was chosen to play the last son of Krypton, Superman. Routh was the lead of 'Superman Returns', a film set after the events of Reeve's first two outings as Kal-El. Executives fawned at this pitch after several failed attempts at restarting the property, and the film performed admirably. The reviews were healthy, it made good coin, and Routh's work was largely admired. But despite these victories, it did not match Warner Bros' expectations, meaning plans for a sequel were ditched, and the studio elected for a reboot in the vein of Christopher Nolan's 'Dark Knight' trilogy.

In the aftermath, however, Routh didn't fall victim to the typecasting his predecessors struggled to shake. While his feet may have been back on the ground, he enhanced his oeuvre with a series of unpredictable turns. Most notably, he was part of Edgar Wright's troupe for his adaptation of 'Scott Pilgrim'. Additionally, he returned to the world of DC Comics via the small screen, playing Ray Palmer, better known as The Atom in The CW's Arrowverse. But once you're Superman, you're always Superman, and in a special crossover event, the dreams of many were realised when he reappeared at The Daily Planet in his defining role, fuelling hope that we potentially haven't seen the end of his iteration.

But while any further appearances as the character are up in the air, Routh has well and truly cemented himself as a pop culture icon. He has made the journey to Melbourne for this year's Metro Comic Con to meet and regale his fans, and I was able to speak with him in anticipation of his appearance. We discussed the second life 'Superman Returns' continues to gain, why he chose to portray another superhero, and his hopes for further ventures in the red trunks. This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

CONNOR DALTON: You are best known for your portrayal of the Man of Steel in 'Superman Returns'. However, before donning the cape in that film, you previously auditioned for Superman: Flyby, a rendition that never got off the ground but would have been helmed by McG from a J.J. Abrams script. Could you tell me about auditioning for that project?

BRANDON ROUTH: It was all kind of the same thing. That was the original project that I read for and met with about Superman, and then that transitioned into what would be 'Superman Returns'. The first version of the film was by a different director and a different script, but that was my way into the process. Prior to that, I auditioned for 'Smallville' and had a callback. That was my first actual brush with the possibility of getting a role in that world.

DALTON: When you secured the part for 'Superman Returns', what were your thoughts upon discovering that the film would serve as a continuation of the first two Christopher Reeve films?

ROUTH: I was very happy about that. The previous script was more of an origin story, which would have been a lot of fun to do, but I really appreciated that I was going to be able to continue the legacy and energy of Chris' Superman and Donner's Superman and everyone who was a part of it because that's my Superman.

DALTON: It placed you in a unique position. Most actors portraying a superhero or a franchise lead usually get to originate the character for the screen or put a brand new spin on it. But in your case, you had to honour a pre-existing performance. How did you find that task of embodying what Reeve did so beautifully before you?

ROUTH: It was the best thing. Even if it had been the other script, the engine and driving force behind the character would have been very similar. I would have been hard-pressed to have deviated from that too much because I think my Superman comes from an internal compass and internal feeling about how I see the world and humanity and the beauty of life and everyone in it. That's Superman to me. That core could fit into different versions of the character. It would just meet him at different stages of his development, awareness, and enlightenment, if you will, of what his purpose is and how much change he can affect and the best ways to do that so he can help save people.

DALTON: Following your initial stint as Superman, you worked with a pair of genre dynamos: Edgar Wright for 'Scott Pilgrim vs. the World' and Kevin Smith for 'Zack and Miri Make a Porno'. What was it like working with these filmmakers in two very different type of roles?

'SUPERMAN RETURNS' TRAILER

ROUTH: They were both in comedy, which was a big win for me because that's my first love. Drama is great and worthwhile and serves a purpose. Obviously, it's a central part of Superman's story. But I'd much prefer being in more lighthearted things. It's more fun to be at work day to day, and I enjoy then putting that stuff out into the world because you're still doing some heavy lifting, even if it seems light.

DALTON: After those titles, audiences soon saw you as your second DC Comics hero. You joined the Arrowverse as Ray Palmer, who fights crime under his alias, The Atom. How did he come your way, and how did you initially feel about playing another superhero?

ROUTH: At first, I was trepidatious because, having played Superman, I was like, "I don't know what else you want me to do here. I played the best guy there is." (laughs) But I did understand that - again, going back to the comedy - what they wanted out of Ray in season three of Arrow was to add some levity and lightness to what was a pretty heavy show. So I jumped at that opportunity and the fact that I was going to be able to make Ray Palmer/The Atom my own was a unique opportunity that I was excited about. Once I believed what they were telling me about Ray's purpose in the season, I was in, and it turned into a great decision.

DALTON: It must have been such a contrasting experience to play in that comic book sandbox again, but as the first significant depiction of your character in the medium.

ROUTH: It was. I mean, there was a Justice League pilot back in the late 80s, so technically, there was someone before me who played a live-action version of The Atom, but it was a very different version of the character and very different style of show. But it was great to be able to make him my own within the context of the writing. I was given great freedom and trust to follow the writers and the storyline they were doing. They kind of followed me also; it was a nice hand-in-hand type of development.

DALTON: Over the last few years, you've been able to reprise a couple of your most iconic performances. You got to once more portray Superman in the Arrowverse crossover event Crisis on Infinite Earths and Todd Ingram in 'Scott Pilgrim Takes Off' for Netflix. What was it like returning to both?

ROUTH: It was absolutely amazing to return as Superman. I held out hope. There wasn't a lot of possibility, but it happened, so that was pretty special. And it was the same with Todd from 'Scott Pilgrim'. I didn't think that was going to happen in any form, so I was very excited to be able to reprise him in the animated series and also kind of do even more because the exes get a little bit more screen time - or I should say voice time - in the series than they did in the movie. So that was great fun. I look forward to more if it's possible.

DALTON: In the wake of 'Crisis', there were rumours aplenty that you were going to receive a HBO Max series continuing your adventures as Superman. Did that come close to fulfilment, or was the rumour mill just running wild?

ROUTH: It's lovely to hear hopes and rumours from people who are wanting it. There are plenty of people who would like to see something like that. But that want hasn't reached the level of anybody who has realised they can make money from it. And most of the time, understanding of profit is the only reason anything gets made. It's something I definitely would be interested in. In my own way, I've investigated and asked questions about it, and people who have power have asked questions.

I think Superman has been such a challenging property for Warner Bros and DC to have success in, cinematically, that they've had several projects ongoing at one time. And it seems there's a lot of turnover at Warner Bros, so maybe there's too much hesitation. I'm not sure. I think right now, the mantra is probably just to launch James Gunn's new movie and have David [Corenswet] settle in as Superman before they go on to anything else. I have no idea. This is just my feelings. I believe that James Gunn and Peter Safran are going to open up the DC world and do great things, but I highly doubt that there's never been a discussion about bringing in multiple versions of characters à la Marvel and the success they've had.

DALTON: It'd be great to see. Although society is rightfully trying to leave behind a couple of its key creatives, 'Superman Returns' has had an increasingly positive reevaluation as it has gotten older. With the film recently turning eighteen, how do you view that time in your life now? Has there been much introspection?

ROUTH: Oh, I constantly have too much introspection going on in my brain (laughs). I'm always thinking a lot about things. With the film, there's a lot more love, and I have more grace for the whole experience and myself in that experience. I know I did the best I could as a 24, 25-year-old during that time, certainly with the pressure, with acting the part, and then the press. I was definitely upset and hurt to a degree, but not at the initial outset because initially, the reviews were pretty good overall. It was only a couple of years after, when there was no sequel, that the news started... not lying but telling mistruths and bending what the movie was and how successful it was. I'm not sure why that happened, but it did.

Now, after time, people have seen other versions of Superman that fit for some people and not for others. I think 'Superman Returns' has challenges behind the camera, and on-screen, there's some story stuff that people don't like, but overall, I think it's a really beautiful cinematic film with some amazing scenes. And it's that warm, comforting version of Superman that I think we need more than anything else. We don't need an ass-kicking Superman. We need a Superman who's there for us. A Superman who is always around - that's the famous quote from the movie - and is there looking out for us and has our best interests at hand. Even if he doesn't know how to handle every situation, he's working on it. I think that appeals to people. Much like 'Scott Pilgrim', the film has gotten a second look over time. I've been a part of a couple of projects that are like that.

DALTON: Sir, I have that many questions you and I could quite easily fill a whole book -

ROUTH: (laughs) I appreciate that.

DALTON: But I know you have many more interviews to conduct, so I just want to say this has honestly been one of the greatest honours of my life. Your work means so much to me, and I thank you so much for fitting me into your schedule.

ROUTH: Thanks, Connor. I look forward to talking again sometime.

For further information about Brandon Routh's appearance at Metro Comic Con, you can head to his profile on the convention's website. Metro Comic Con takes place from July 13th to July 14th at the Melbourne Showgrounds. For general information and additional enquiries, visit the website homepage.

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BRANDON ROUTH

STILL FLYING HIGH