Summary
Matt Bomer has stated he lost hisDCtrilogy contract for a scrappedSupermanmovie because of his sexuality. While DC Comics' presence has been reimagined numerous times in the world of live-action, Superman is one of the few characters to have been depicted the most on the big screen. As severalactors have played Superman in live-actionover the last few decades, there have also been a number of stars who were close to playing the Man of Steel but, for various reasons, didn’t get to in the end.
One of the actors who could have been Superman wasWhite Collarstar Matt Bomer, who recently appeared onThe Hollywood Reporter’sAward Chatterpodcastto discuss his career as a whole. During the interview, Bomer’s Superman history was brought up, as he had auditioned for J.J. Abrams’Superman: Flybyfilm that never went forward. However, Bomer stated he had initially landed the role for a three-picture deal to play Superman, but ended up losing his contract with Warner Bros. after being outed as gay, with the 46-year-old star sharing the following story:
I went in on a cattle call for Superman, and then it turned into a one-month audition experience where I was auditioning again and again and again. It looked like I was the director’s choice for the role. This is a very early iteration of Superman written by J.J. Abrams, called Superman: Flyby, I think is what it was called, and it never came to light. I had signed a three-picture deal at Warner Bros. Yeah, that’s my understanding. [When asked if his sexuality played a factor in Warner Bros. not going forward with him as Superman.] That was a time in the industry when something like that could still really be weaponized against you. How, and why, and who, I don’t know, but yeah, that’s my understanding.
Every Live-Action Superman Costume, Ranked
Superman has one of the most iconic costumes ever, but this hasn’t always translated to live-action as effectively as it does in DC Comics.
Could Matt Bomer Get A New Chance To Play Superman In The Future?
While Bomer may not have gotten to play Superman on the big-screen, the actor has enjoyed a varied and successful career. From his incredible run onWhite Collar,to massive gigs likeAmerican Horror Story,Magic Mike,The Normal Heart, along with many other roles, Bomer has proven himself to be an actor with range. DespiteJames Gunn’s DC Universealready having a Superman, there are other ways that Bomer could play the Man of Steel in the future.
One of the other brands that DC Studios is exploring is the Elseworlds concept, which Robert Pattinson’sThe Batmanand Joaquin Phoenix’sJokerfranchises fall under. With the many Superman stories that exist in the DC Comics canon, Bomer could always play Krypton’s last son in an Elseworlds-based property. OnceDavid Corenswet’s Supermanhas been properly set up and established, this is a solid idea to explore for DC Studios in the coming years.
Bomer is no stranger to the DC Universe as he, together with Matthew Zuk, portrayed Larry Trainor/Negative Man in theDoom PatrolandTitansTV shows.
This would also be possible as Matt Bomer also voiced Superman inSuperman: Unbound- a role made even more special given Bomer’s history with the character. Based on this history, hopefully Bomer will get another chance to portraySupermanin live-action in one way or another in the future.
Superman
Cast
Superman (2025): Superman follows the dual life of Clark Kent, a journalist in Metropolis, as he endeavors to reconcile his Kryptonian heritage with his human upbringing. Set against a backdrop of personal discovery, the film explores his journey of identity as he navigates his existence in a complex world.
