In a new interview with Syfy.com, Brendan Fraser speaks about his current role on the DC Universe’s “Doom Patrol” series, revealing how close he came to playing Superman back in the 1990s.
How come you never did a superhero film? Is it true you were almost cast as Reed Richards in Fantastic Four?
No. I auditioned for Superman [in what would become Superman Returns]. I even wore the suit.
Oh, man. What was that like?
It was cool, it was pretty cool. I mean, I didn’t get the job. It went away. Brett Ratner was a bit “woo hoo” in those days, and that’s well documented. And that was a script J.J. Abrams wrote but it never got made. And it was freaking Shakespeare in space. It was so cool. It was worlds colliding and, it was really, really cool. But you know, I hear he’s done well since then. (Laughs)
Source: Syfy.com
“Doom Patrol” is available on the DC Universe digital streaming service.
I’ve always liked Brendan Fraser, but could never see him as Superman.
I can’t see him being Superman however he is a terrific actor and is absolutely fantastic in the Doom Patrol. By far his character Robot man is my favorite character on there.
Shakespeare in space? Can we get a Superman vs. Brainiac space opera in a live action movie?
To fly or not to fly? That is the question??? I don’t know about Brandon as Superman. Maybe with the right script it could have worked. I guess it’s just one of those things that we as Superman fans won’t get to see. Much like the Nicolas Cage Superman, it’s a film that we could only speculate on what he would have been like as the Man of Steel. Maybe one day they will release photos of Brandon in the Superman suit testing for the role. Maybe even with some concept designs of supervillains and locations where Superman would have… Read more »
Back then every one and any one who was on top of their game was considered for the role. But it’s difficult to see a well established figure like Brendan as Superman. You’d think like ‘oh look. It’s Brendan Fraser as Superman. Yeah OK’ but when you have someone who is relatively unknown and nails the part then you’d be saying ‘look.. It’s SUPERMAN!! AWWRRIIIGGHHHTTT’ That’s why I think most of us would agree that an unfamous face would be suitable for the role. Considering they have the acting chops and the good looks and physique for it. I like… Read more »
True. The part of Superman tends to be played best by actors who are for the most part relatively unknown.
I have to say that I’m not a big fan of the JJ Abrams writing. His style is just to set up more questions then you intend to answer and also to bombard you with Event after event after event to mask the holes in logic or plot holes. Basically like a ‘look over here!’ And ‘don’t pay attention to that’ type of style. So I’m glad that this version never came to fruition. Plus from what I saw and read online about it it was very far removed from Superman. Him and his disciples (kurtzman, Orci and Lindelof) are… Read more »