MAIN Art & ... Pop Culture Hollywood Brandon Routh

He's the new Superman.

Born Brandon James Routh (pronouced like south) on October 9, 1979 in Des Moines, Iowa, the 6' 2" relative unknown launched to stardom in the much-anticipated 2006 film Superman Returns taking over the comic book superhero role from Christopher Reeve.

Brand Routh first began his fledgling career with several theatrical productions while still in high school in Norwalk, Iowa.

He next attended the University of Iowa for several semesters, but soon dropped out of college to pursue a Hollywood career, with a move to Los Angeles, followed by his first major role in 1999 on a short-lived ABC sitcom, Odd Man Out.

He later followed with an appearance on the MTV soap, Undressed, and was also a featured performer in the "What a Girl Wants" music video by Christina Aguilera in 2000.

A steady gig followed as he starred as Seth Anderson on the ABC soap One Life to Live, but the role lasted all of one year when Routh took guest stints on such nightime sitcoms & crime dramas as Will & Grace, and Cold Case.

Superman Returns (2006)

Routh's relatively short list of credits turned out to be in his favor, however, when he finally auditioned for his breakthrough role in Superman Returns.

After Hollywood names such as Ashton Kutcher, Jude Law, Jake Gyllenhaal and Smallville star Tom Welling auditioned for the role, Superman Returns director Bryan Singer later insisted on a fresh face to take over the Superman role from the iconic Christopher Reeve.

Routh's all-American look, and Iowa background, would make him the front contender - and in October 2004 it finally was announced that Routh would indeed become the next Man of Steel for a new generation of Superman fans.

Superman Returns, which also starred Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor and Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane, opened in movie theaters worldwide June 28, 2006 and eventually did $400 million box office worldwide.

Man of Steel (2009) Rumors & Spoilers

Routh will also star in the next film in the franchise, Man of Steel, which director Bryan Singer says will feature more spectacular action and cgi effects, and is rumored to include two villains — one an alien that Superman must battle in order to save Metropolis.

Since all three Superman Returns stars are under contract for the sequel, it is believed that co-stars Kate Bosworth, and Kevin Spacey will be definitely reprising their roles in Man of Steel. A US release date is planned for summer 2009 although, since production has yet been slow to start, that date may be pushed back to 2010. Stay tuned ...



BrandonRouth.com - The big fan site with all the latest Superman Returns news & updates, on-set and behind-the-movie scene pictures, Brandon Routh photo gallery, bio, career information, upcoming appearances in TV specials & magazine layouts, online forum & related links.

Brandon Routh - Biography of the actor with a history of the casting & filming of Superman Returns, Brandon Routh quotes & related links, from Wikipedia.

Forum de FilmDeCulte - In French, with an extensive collection of early Brandon Routh publicity photos and screen captures from his work in One Life to Live, Will & Grace, in the Christina Aguilera music video, "What a Girl Wants", and Superman Returns.

Brandon Routh - Yahoo! Movies - Biography & picture gallery, message boards & related links.

BlueTights Network - Another premier fan site with photo galleries from the movie set, links to official movie trailer & related video game, online forum, Superman Returns buddy icons & wallpapers.

Superman Homepage - Superman Returns - One-stop browsing for the latest movie news, interviews, Superman timeline from 1938 to the present, Superman FAQ, fan forum, screen savers & wallpapers, ringtones, related links.

Superman Hype! - Just like it says, with news, information & updates on Superman Returns soundtracks, release dates, movie posters, advertisements & TV commercials.

also see -> Smallville | San Diego Comic Con