Brandon Routh embodies this generations' Superman??
To start --
Think its safe too say many people had thought Christopher Reeves is and always will be Superman! He embodied him on screen and he surely embodied every redeeming Superman Quality off screen - even before his injury! So, Reeves set the standard. And very few people in the history of cinema playing just ONE character had the success that he had, becoming this iconic figure in the world! He had ONE role - the role of Superman, and he defined it for generations! I feel confident that its safe to say that Reeves could be the definition of Superman, or a starting point - something to compare all "Future" Supermans' too! No one will ever replace him. But the hope is, people can emulate him! When I think of Superman I think of Reeves -- but when I think of someone emulating Superman, or this generations Superman, that goes to Brandon Routh!
So, the more times I saw Superman Returns, the more I loved it!! It was just a great film worth watching again -- As I recall, when this movie came out it was a HUGE Success in the media.. At the time of release it was a media darling. Many gave it a raving success.
Over the years is when tastes changed, social media, blogging, an increase of Opinions (mostly "hate") across the web -- so then we began to see a difference in opinion towards Superman Returns. And, Brandon Routh. These instant Myspace (then Facebook, twitter,etc) Social Media critics and bloggers began to discredit it.. thus hurting Brandon Routh's chances of reprising the role that he so rightfully deserves again.
When they created Superman Returns, the hope was they would take an unknown off the street, just like "Christopher Reeve" was a relative unknown and make him the new Superman! And world famous! And it worked -- if you were going to have a Superman that emulates Christopher Reeve, Routh was the guy!
Some may say too many people wanted Superman to perfectly emulate Christopher Reeve who was a sensational Superman. and an amazing person in life.. (with or without his injury!!)
I think its fair too suggest, Brandon Routh was indeed influenced by Christopher Reeves as Superman... However, Routh gave Superman his own style. The mannerisms, posture, his quiet tone and body language was what many had hoped for and it just worked! And I think it was what the world needed at the time... Especially since Christopher Reeves had only died just a year and half before Superman Returns was released.
It was a very difficult time for many Superman fans and just many fans of Christopher Reeves. He was loved by so many. An American Icon of incredible character. One that is still greatly missed today! Its safe to say that many had his death fresh in our minds. And could be why at first Superman Returns was a success.. And also influenced the way the movie was produced. But I don't think this was a bad thing either. Because we got the movie we all wanted at the time.. And rightfully stands the test of time as well.. (even tho years later, ratings began to slide).
Man of Steel was good. In fact, I really liked this movie. Saw it a few times within a few weeks alone! So, I did enjoy it. Henry Cavill has an edge. A flare. I would say Cavil was good for the movie.
But the character of Superman? And when you compare it too Routh? they are remarkably different by contrast -- yet both are the embodiment of Superman. Yet, I would still choose Routh. I think much of it is influenced by who I think Superman should look like, act like -- and a lot of that was influenced by my Childhood and Christopher Reeve.. That's where the difference is I suppose.
Tom Welling in Smallville.. Many people would also say he is also this current generations Superman. I too thought he was great for the role and I was a HUGE fan of the show for all 10 seasons!! Welling had the right look, charisma..etc. so it could be a toss up between him and Routh..
BUT....then again.. just when I compare the two, Brandon Routh has more of that "Superman" quality than Welling!
All 3 are good... And its difficult to conclude who I would want to embody the Superman character. In the end, I just keep thinking of Brandon Routh!! And I hope that one day he can reprise his role as Superman!!