Jude Law Does Not Regret Turning Down This Legendary Superhero Role

By Andrew Sanford | Celebrity | June 13, 2024 |

By Andrew Sanford | Celebrity | June 13, 2024 |

Casting “What ifs” are always fun. In a different world, Sean Connery would have assembled a fellowship to take the One Ring to Mordor. Were it not for Eyes Wide Shut running late, Dougray Scott would be the one popping adamantium claws from his knuckles. Will Smith was almost Neo in The Matrix! Hilarious possibilities that were almost realities. One character that is no stranger to casting close calls is Superman.

Many people have almost portrayed the Big Blue Boy Scout. Clint Eastwood was approached for the 1978 Richard Donner film (as were a slew of Hollywood superstars). Nicholas Cage was famously picked to play Supes for a Tim Burton-directed film that never came to fruition. Ashton Kutcher was close to playing Superman in a Superman movie directed by Brett Ratner that also never saw the light of day. He wasn’t the only one.

Jude Law has had an impressive career. He has been prolific on both stage and screen. The actor has earned Oscar and Tony nominations. The man has big, doe-eyes that look like pools you can swim in. Hell, the man splayed Sky Captain himself, Joseph Sullivan! You know! From the wildly successful SCCU (Sky Captain Cinematic Universe). Am I making that up? Regardless, the actor has seen much success, which almost included popping on some red trunks.

In a recent interview with The Playlist, Law reflected on almost playing Superman. “So, this is true. Yeah. And there was a process of flirtation going on,” he explained. “And I always resisted because it just felt like [off]. And I know you can say, ‘Well, but you played Yonn-Rogg and Dumbledore!’ It just felt like a step too far.” It’s a fair reason to turn the role down. Most people wouldn’t know what you mean if you asked who Yonn-Rogg is. Everyone knows Superman.

Law was up for Supes at the same time Kutcher was, given the director offering him the role. He told The Playlist, “And it was when Brett Ratner was going to direct, I think. And they didn’t have a script if I remember rightly. Did they have a script? I don’t remember reading one. This is a long time ago. They brought me the suit. They thought, ‘This might change your mind.’”

An interesting wrinkle here is that Law was not sent the Christopher Reeve suit, as is usually the case. They had a completely different suit for him to try on. “No, it wasn’t the Reeve suit. It was a kind of like, it was more metallic,” Law explained. “Anyway, I tried on and I looked in the mirror and part of me initially was like, ‘Wow, this would be a [good thing]’ and then I just thought, ‘No, you can’t — you can’t do this. You can’t.’ And I didn’t sell myself to myself. And I stepped away and the film never happened anyway. So, maybe it probably wouldn’t have done anything.”

Another Superman film wouldn’t be made by Brett Ratner. Noted creep Bryan Singer would take on that task, recruiting fellow creep Kevin Spacey. Law likely dodged a bullet. Which, ironically enough, makes him extra qualified for the role.