Fraser’s Kryptonian Crisis: Doubts Clouded His Superman Dreams?

Thescreescore – Brendan Fraser, the beloved actor currently enjoying a career renaissance, recently revealed a fascinating "what if" scenario: his near-casting as Superman in a film that ultimately never took flight. Speaking on Josh Horowitz’s "Happy Sad Confused" podcast, Fraser recounted his screen test for a potential Superman project helmed by JJ Abrams and Brett Ratner. However, this version of the Man of Steel was shelved when Warner Bros. opted to pursue Bryan Singer’s "Superman Returns" in 2006.

Fraser confessed to harboring significant reservations about donning the iconic cape. He articulated the immense pressure associated with embodying such a legendary character, acknowledging the all-encompassing commitment required to represent a franchise of that magnitude.

"You feel a little certain anxiety anyway when you’re going up on some big job," Fraser stated. "But I also remember thinking: ‘If I do get this job, then, well, I think Superman’s gonna be chipped on my gravestone.’ There’s an element of, you are that for the rest of your days, your career. And that’s not a bad thing; I’m not saying it’s gonna kill me any time soon, but it is something that becomes part of your entire brand, who you are. And I don’t know if I was ready to take that on then. I mean, I felt I was because [it was a] big opportunity, and excitement, et cetera, et cetera."

The actor feared being solely defined by the role, a concern that weighed heavily on his decision-making process. While acknowledging the honor of portraying such an enduring superhero, he questioned whether it aligned with his long-term career aspirations.

Despite the film’s cancellation, Fraser fondly recalled the script, describing it as surprisingly Shakespearean in its scope. "I loved that screenplay," he explained. "They let me read it. They locked me in an empty office in some studio lot, I signed an NDA. It was printed black on crimson paper, so you couldn’t photocopy it or sneak it out the door inconspicuously. I mean, it was Shakespeare in space. It was a really good screenplay."

Interestingly, Abrams’ involvement with Superman didn’t end there. In 2021, reports surfaced about his collaboration with novelist Ta-Nehisi Coates on a new Superman film. While details remain scarce, this iteration of Clark Kent is reportedly set in an alternate timeline, distinct from James Gunn’s upcoming vision for the character, according to thescreescore.com.