A 'Superman' we never saw: Brendan Fraser's kryptonian near-miss

A Journey from Jungle to Justice: Brendan's Almost-Super Turn

Back in the early 2000s, Hollywood was buzzing with whispers of a new Superman. We'd seen Brendan Fraser swing from trees and outwit the undead in "George of the Jungle" and "The Mummy" series, but a cape and the legendary S-shield? As reported by British GQ, "Everyone in town was reading for Superman," recalled Fraser. Among the contenders, names like Paul Walker surfaced, but Fraser stood out, teasing fans with the thought of him soaring the skies of Metropolis.

The Flight that Never Took Off: Superman: Flybay

Enter J. J. Abrams, not yet the blockbuster director we know today but a budding screenwriter. His task? Crafting the next Superman iteration with Superman: Flybay. But alas, as Fraser hinted, studio politics derailed this flight, paving the way for Bryan Singer's Superman Returns instead. A younger Brandon Routh stepped in as the iconic superhero, leaving fans to merely speculate about Fraser's potential portrayal.

"Forever more known as the Man of Steel," Brendan pondered aloud. "There was a sort of Faustian bargain that went into it." Fraser cherished his diverse roles, valuing his ability to adapt and morph. Would a permanent Superman label have stifled that? We're left only to wonder.

Turbulence in the Superman Skies

Post Christopher Reeves' era, Superman has grappled with a turbulent film history. From failed reboots starring Nicholas Cage to the fluctuating fate of Henry Cavill's Superman portrayal, it's been a rollercoaster for fans. While Fraser currently rides the wave of a career revival thanks to his role in The Whale, perhaps missing the Man of Steel ticket was a silver lining.

Now, with the promise of Superman: Legacy on the horizon, the hunt for the next Superman is on, and the path to Krypton remains as unpredictable as ever.

(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)