Why Superman Returns 2 Never Happened According To Brandon Routh

Brandon Routh opened up about why a sequel to Superman Returns never came to pass. Superman Returns, which hit theaters in 2006, grossed $391 million globally against a budget of $270 million. While the film was met with mostly positive reviews from critics and fans, with many feeling Routh was one of the best actors to portray Superman, the superhero film never received a sequel. As a result, the character was rebooted yet again in 2013’s Man of Steel, where Henry Cavill took on the iconic character’s role, which grossed a whopping $668 million worldwide.

Superman Returns followed the hero’s return to Earth after thoroughly examining his homeworld of Krypton. The Man of Steel is coming to realize how significantly things have changed, ready to prove his importance to the world yet again as Lex Luther hatches another scheme that puts it in considerable peril. In addition to Routh, the film starred Kate Bosworth, James Marsden, Kevin Spacey, Parker Posey, Frank Langella, Sam Huntington, and Kal Penn. While many fans were disappointed that a sequel to the blockbuster film never come to fruition, Routh has recently opened up about why a follow-up never moved forward.

In an interview from Speedy Comics Con (via ComicBook), Brandon Routh discussed why a sequel to Superman Returns never received the green light. When asked why the sequel never moved forward at the studio, Routh responded by stating,

“The intention was to do a sequel, always to do, with a big tentpole movie like that,” Routh explains in the video above. “They want to make more as long as they feel like they’ve recouped the money that they invested into the film. At the end of the day, the studio, Warner Brothers, decided it was too much of a gamble for them to do a sequel. The creative entities, the writers and the directors were on to other things. Certain people at the studio who were excited a out Superman had left to go on to other projects at other studios. So, it was both the passion and the interest in Superman dissipated and the movie, I guess for them, didn’t bring back enough monetary success for them to pull the trigger on it.”

When a sequel to the 2006 film stalled and ultimately faded away, fans were left wondering what would’ve happened to Routh’s Clark Kent after the first film’s events. Fortunately, Routh was able to get the opportunity to reprise the role of Clark Kent/Superman in the Arrowverse’s Crisis On Infinite Earths crossover event. Through Routh’s triumphant return to the role, fans were able to see what the character was up to and how his story evolved in the years since Superman Returns‘ release, many even feeling his Superman was vindicated as a result.

Superman Returns showcased Routh’s fantastic portrayal of the hero, laying the groundwork for a worthwhile take on a character that has received a myriad of iterations. Considering the film was relatively successful at the box office, it came as a shock a sequel never entered development. Routh has even previously stated that he was devastated Superman Returns 2 never happened. However, his explanation helps clarify why the studio decided to lay the character to rest again, which should help answer any lingering questions from fans. While his Superman may never fly on the big screen again, fans can always rewatch Superman Returns or his turn on Crisis On Infinite Earths to get their fix of his version of the superhero.

Source: ComicBook

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