Brandon Routh reflected on his journey from Superman to Atom.
Brandon Routh is a name that resonates with superhero fans. He first stepped into the limelight as the iconic Superman in “Superman Returns” (2006). Directed by Bryan Singer, the film marked Routh’s first significant role, and he had big boots to fill, following in the footsteps of Christopher Reeve. Despite mixed reviews, Routh’s portrayal of the Man of Steel was praised for its sincerity and faithfulness to the character’s legacy. I was privileged to host his panel at Superhero Comic Con over the weekend.
After “Superman Returns,” Routh faced a period of career uncertainty. The planned sequels never materialized, leaving him to navigate the challenging post-blockbuster landscape. However, his superhero journey was far from over. In 2014, Routh joined the Arrowverse. He played Ray Palmer, also known as the Atom, in “Arrow” and its spin-off, “Legends of Tomorrow.” This role revitalized his career, allowing him to showcase his charm and wit as the tech-savvy, shrinking superhero.
Valuable advice for future actors stepping into those iconic boots.
“I think the biggest thing for me about Superman is always recognizing his non-physical superpowers. It can be cheesy to relate it to a ‘Teach a Man to Fish’ story, but quite literally, that is how I see it. It is very apropos to being the thing: You save people all the time, everywhere. Maybe they never learn how to save themselves. Now, that doesn’t mean that you let them—you don’t save them necessarily—but it just means that the teaching, the personality, the aspect, the human communication, is the understanding that Superman can give us of inclusion. And just to me, Superman’s pure love. He doesn’t judge. He has to make some hard choices and stop people from doing bad things, but my goal for Superman is that he’s the guy that everybody can be in their person, maybe without all the flying and all the other stuff. But he’s an example of the best of humanity, and he can teach us to do that—not just by his actions, but by actually, you know, calling out the truth.”
His versatility extends beyond live-action roles.
He starred in the cult classic “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World” (2010) as Todd Ingram, a super-powered vegan bass player. More recently, he reprised this role in the Netflix animated series adaptation of the film, delighting fans with his continued commitment to the character.
In an inspiring move, Routh returned to the Superman mantle in the Arrowverse crossover event “Crisis on Infinite Earths” (2019-2020). Donning the Kingdom Come version of Superman, he delivered a performance that resonated deeply with fans, blending nostalgia with a fresh take on the character. Routh’s career is a testament to resilience and versatility. From his early days as Superman to his role as Atom and beyond, he has continually evolved, leaving an indelible mark on the superhero genre. His journey inspires both fans and aspiring actors, reminding us all that heroes come in many forms.
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Sean Tajipour
Sean Tajipour is the Founder and Editor of Nerdtropolis and the host of the Moviegoers Society and Reel Insights Podcast. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association. You can follow on Twitter and Instagram @Seantaj.
