Jude Law recently opened up about his decision to turn down the iconic role of Superman two decades ago, citing a feeling that it was “a step too far” for him at the time. In an interview on The Playlist’s Discourse podcast, Law revealed that despite initial interest and a tempting costume try-on for the scrapped 2002 film “Flyby,” he ultimately couldn’t bring himself to commit.
“Yeah, so this is true,” Law confirmed during the podcast. “And there was a process of flirtation going on. And I always resisted because it just felt like off. And I know you can say, ‘Well, but you played Yon-Rogg and Dumbledore!’ It just felt like a step too far.”
Law recalled the circumstances surrounding the project, including the involvement of director Brett Ratner and the absence of a finalized script during the discussions. “They brought me the suit. They thought, ‘This might change your mind,'” Law recounted. However, even trying on the suit, which featured a more metallic design compared to Christopher Reeve’s iconic outfit, didn’t sway his decision.
“Anyway, I tried it 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,'” Law explained. “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.”
Ultimately, the film project was abandoned, and Warner Bros later released “Superman Returns” in 2006, directed by Bryan Singer and starring Brandon Routh.
Law’s reflections come amid renewed interest in past attempts to bring Superman to the screen, with actor Matt Bomer recently discussing how his sexuality might have affected his chances at landing the role around the same time. Bomer described the period as one where such personal factors could have been used against actors in casting decisions.
As Law continues to carve out a diverse career, from his roles in Marvel’s “Captain Marvel” to the “Fantastic Beasts” series, his decision to forego the role of Superman stands as a pivotal moment in his career trajectory.