“It had to do with studio politics”: Brendan Fraser Claims He Wasn’t Cast as Superman Because of WB, Reveals Fast and Furious Star Paul Walker Was in the Race to Become Man of Steel Before Brandon Routh and Henry Cavill

“It had to do with studio politics”: Brendan Fraser Claims He Wasn’t Cast as Superman Because of WB, Reveals Fast and Furious Star Paul Walker Was in the Race to Become Man of Steel Before Brandon Routh and Henry Cavill
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Brendan Fraser, one of the most beloved celebrities in the world auditioned for the role of Superman back in the early 2000s. After his popularity gained by starring as Rick O’Connell in The Mummy franchise, the actor auditioned for Superman after Paul Walker.

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The sad part of reality was however that the role of Superman did not go to Brendan Fraser due to “studio politics”. The actor claimed that he was 98% finalized for the role however the film was never made due to some shenanigans.

Brendan Fraser as Rick O'Connell in The Mummy (1999).
Brendan Fraser as Rick O’Connell in The Mummy (1999).

When Brendan Fraser’s Superman Did Not Fly

After a tumultuous time in Hollywood, the actor was finally able to make a comeback by starring in The Whale in 2022. Following heaps of praise for his role in The Mummy franchise and before that, the actor was deliberately thrown out of Hollywood for speaking his mind when Philip Berk allegedly sexually groped him.

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Brandon Routh as Superman
Brandon Routh as Superman.

Also read: “In this business you gotta have a little luck”: Batgirl Leslie Grace Reveals Brendan Fraser’s Heartfelt Gift That Helped Her Move On After WB Called Film ‘Unreleasable’

After being in the public eye for quite some time, the actor felt comfortable talking about his history with Hollywood and the politics that went behind it. The actor recalled the time he had auditioned for the role of Superman which was 98% finalized before the movie was scratched and his role did not gain flight.

Fraser recently appeared on The Howard Stern Show where he talked about how he had auditioned after Paul Walker until “studio politics” interrupted the movie.

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“Everyone in town was reading for Superman. Like, again, we’re testing I think six or seven guys in 2002/2003. Paul Walker, I remember Paul Walker was before me. They were like the usual suspects.”

The actor further continued,

“I felt disappointed that there was an amazing opportunity and it didn’t come to fruition. It had to do a lot with some shenanigans and studio politics. And probably, inherently, in my screen test. I think that’s why you test… they could kind of see I was only there like 98%.”

The project called Superman: Flyby had a screenplay written by J.J. Abrams but was never made into a movie for undisclosed reasons. Following the scrapped movie, Superman Returns was made that starred Brandon Routh as the lead actor and directed by Bryan Singer.

Suggested: “I’ve never been as famous and as unsalaried”: Hollywood Legend Brendan Fraser Looking for a Job, Wishes to Work With Old Friend in Mummy 4

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Brendan Fraser Had To Give It All For Starring In The Whale

Brendan Fraser in The Whale
Brendan Fraser in The Whale.

Related: Seeing him make a comeback is every Millennial’s greatest wish’: Internet Tears Up as Brendan Fraser Makes Surprise Appearance at a Showing of ‘The Mummy’

With a Hollywood comeback that spanned almost a decade, Brendan Fraser talked about giving it all in his comeback. The actor stated that he had to give it all to star in the movie and knew that it was going to be one of the best ones that he had ever done.

“It’s a film that always had the intention to change hearts and minds. To play this part. I had to be all in, 100 percent.”

The Whale received critical acclaim from around the world and Brendan Fraser was once again hailed as one of the finest. The post-Whale era is now termed the “Brennesaince” of Hollywood. The Whale was released on 21st December 2022 worldwide while there are currently no streaming details available for the movie.

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Source: Variety

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Written by Visarg Acharya

Articles Published: 2032

Visarg Acharya, Associate Content Writer, has been heavily involved in movies, series, and history. Having an experience of 2 years in the field of content writing, Visarg is a seasoned writer. Having a degree in Physics, Visarg Acharya has published a dissertation alongside a plethora of poems and short stories along the way.