It's somebody you've never heard of:
Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Brandon Routh, a 25-year-old native of Iowa with television and film acting experience, has been cast as The Man of Steel in the Studio's upcoming Superman epic, to be directed by Bryan Singer. The announcement was made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production for Warner Bros. Pictures.
The untitled Superman movie is expected to begin principal photography in Australia early next year for release in summer, 2006. It is produced by Jon Peters, Bryan Singer and Gilbert Adler from a screenplay by Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris. No other casting has been announced.
Heh, Jon Peters. Jon "Can He Have a Gay Robot Sidekick?" Peters. Jon "I Want to Turn Sandman into a Matrix-Style Action Movie" Peters. If he has any significant input into this film, it's going to be a joke. Mark my words.
Singer commented on his choice of a star, saying "Contrary to speculation, it was always my absolute intention to hire an unknown for this role. Brandon is an extremely fine actor who possesses the physical qualifications of Clark Kent/Superman. But he also embodies the legacy and history of this character in a way that makes me certain he's the right choice."
I'm curious as to how Singer feels a guy who wasn't even born when the first Superman movie came out "embodies the legacy and history" of the character, but I suppose it'd be too much to expect him to shrug and say, "What are you gonna do? Tom Welling wanted points off the back end."
Well, the best thing I can say about this travesty in the making is that at least they waited until poor Chris Reeve was dead a wek before making the announcement. Jeez, no wonder I like British TV and film more than the reheated tripe I'm fed this side of the pond.