Whenever we think of Superman, the names that come to our mind instantly are Christopher Reeve or Henry Cavill. They are considered two of the best versions of the character who looked straight out of the comic book pages. But many stars were also thought to be the popular comic book superhero at some point. Ashton Kutcher is a prime example who was almost the Last Son of Krypton in Brett Ratner’s vision.
Long ago before Brandon Routh’s Superman Returns, J.J. Abrams also wrote a script for an original Superman trilogy. Brett Ratner was attached to direct the movie and a wide variety of stars were thought of to lead the film. Ashton Kutcher was one of the major names on the list but there was a certain reason that convinced him not to sign for the movie.
Why did Ashton Kutcher reject Superman?
It can’t be denied that portraying Superman is nothing but easy. One of the major reasons that comes into play in superhero movies is the audience reception. This is seen in several cases where the stars are subjected to intense criticism even before they are spotted in their superhero avatar. Ashton Kutcher’s case was also similar as he wasn’t sure of how he would look as the Kryptonian superhero which forced him to deny the role.
It is in a conversation with MTV News (via ComicBookMovie), where the That 70’s Show star revealed that he was one of the initial choices for the role and he even gave a screen test with the suit.
“I wore the Superman suit. I did a screentest in the Superman suit. There is footage of my audition out there, with Keri Russell, who was reading Lois Lane. There’s me in a Clark Kent outfit, and then there’s me in a Superman outfit.”
But Ashton Kutcher didn’t think he looked good in the role of the Kryptonian Superhero and felt funny with the fake muscles. Following that he was also worried about the critical reception of his portrayal. In his interview with the Details magazine (via Irish Examiner), he admitted that he had nothing against the critics but he knew that he was not the one to play the role.
“I’ll read how sh**ty they think I am. I don’t necessarily think all the critics are wrong … I don’t think I’m that good. And they don’t think I’m that good. So I’m not pulling that feeling out of my a**. They’re just backing up that feeling that I already have about myself. Could anybody f***ing take me seriously as Superman? Let’s be honest about that!”
It has to be admitted that Kutcher’s move was not that bad as he was himself sure of what he was capable of. Ultimately, the Brett Ratner movie with the J.J. Abrams script could never see the light of dawn as other popular actors like Jude Law, Matthew Bomer, and Paul Walker also denied the role.
David Corenswet is preparing hard to play the new Superman
Even though it is quite hard for the fans of DC to forget about Henry Cavill‘s Superman, they have nothing to do but accept David Corenswet as the new Kal-El. When James Gunn announced the Pearl actor as the new Superman of his new DCU, it was welcomed with a mixed reception from everywhere.
But it looks like David Corenswet is trying hard to please the fans as a recent photo shows how he has been working on changing his physique for the role. The photo was posted by the Jon Schueler Foundation where we can spot Corenswet working as a cinematographer for a documentary and the changes spotted in his body are quite significant.
Our new Superman David Corenswet seems to be bulking up which is crazy cause people on the internet told me thats impossible. pic.twitter.com/JzHSHMsrNC
— ClarkQuill97 (@CQuill97) August 26, 2023
Now this is indeed a savage comeback to all those who never stopped to give him a chance for once and continued to criticize the casting. Reportedly James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy will take a different take on the superhero than what was done by Zack Snyder in his movies with Henry Cavill. With Rachel Brosnahan set to star as Lois Lane, the movie is set to release on July 11, 2025.
Source: ComicBookMovie / Irish Examiner / X
