Academy Award winner Brendan Fraser wasn’t all in to play Superman because he was scared of his future. As unconventional as it is, Fraser clarified that had he played the DC superhero his acting career would be at stake. Having established himself as a versatile actor with iconic movies like George of the Junge, The Mummy, and The Whale, the Canadian-American star regarded diversity as a staple in his profession.
Therefore, while Hollywood star Henry Cavill got the role of his lifetime in 2013’s Man of Steel which vaulted him to supreme fame, Fraser was wary of the same. The actor put forth a half-hearted audition which ultimately didn’t land him the part. Untwining his string of thoughts on playing Superman, Fraser explained why he did not want the role.
Brendan Fraser paid a hefty price for being dubbed as a versatile actor
DC fans might know of a former Superman feature helmed by J.J. Abrams that never came to fruition. Set in that timeline of Hollywood, Brendan Fraser was approached for playing Superman around 2002 to 2003. However, a recurring thought in the back of his mind decided his future in the superhero world. The Whale star went ahead for the auditions, amid other notable actors like the late Paul Walker also rooting for the part.
The 55-year-old star acknowledged that it was a “life-changing opportunity” but was still not enough to unleash 100% of his potential. As per him, it was 98%. The rest 2% went into the fear of being typecast as ‘the Superman actor’ all his life. In an interview with host Howard Stern on The Howard Stern Show, Fraser disclosed,
“but I had to reconcile with, ‘Okay, say you do get the job to be the Man of Steel. It’s going to be chipped on your gravestone. Are you okay with that? You will forevermore be known as the Man of Steel.’ There was a sort of Faustian bargain that went into [the] feeling, and I think inherently I didn’t want to be known for only one thing, because I prided myself on diversity my whole professional life. I’m not a one-trick pony.”
Besides that, the actor’s disinterest in playing the Man of Steel showed in his screen test. Fraser also noted that “shenanigans and studio politics” also influenced his rejection. Nevertheless, the Encino Man actor was disheartened after he learned he didn’t get the part.
Henry Cavill feared failing the legacy of Superman
While Fraser was doubtful of being known as Superman, Henry Cavill was scared of the audience’s response to the same. He took over the cowl in 2011 with Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel. After his debut, Cavill reprised his character in two more DCEU films, 2016’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and 2017’s Justice League. Notably, Cavill has successfully forged his name in the list of iconic Supermen of all time, as he brought an edge to the role like no other.
However, the actor was nervous about the audience’s reaction to his version. In an Entertainment Weekly interview back in 2011, the actor expressed his dilemma by saying,
“All I could think was: ‘Oh, god. They’re going to look at me and go ‘He’s not Superman. Not a chance.’ The actor inside me was going: ‘You’re not ready! You’re not ready.”
Unlike Fraser’s fear, Cavill is also known for his portrayals in other films like The Man from U.N.C.L.E, Night Hunter, and TV series such as The Witcher. Now, the actor is scheduled to star and produce a Warhammer 40k-inspired film. Whereas, what could have been made of Fraser’s version of the Kryptonite, fans will never know.
