After the Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths, DC needs to give Brandon Routh Superman a spin-off show. The Arrowverse crossover gave Routh the opportunity to reprise his role as the Man of Steel; Routh previously played the titular role in the 2006 film Superman Returns. Fans of the franchise have responded to the crossover by saying that Crisis redeems Routh’s Superman — so why stop a good thing?
Brandon Routh stole every scene he was in during Crisis on Infinite Earths, outshining his other two Superman co-stars, Tom Welling and Tyler Hoechlin. Being the only cinematic Superman of the group, Routh seems to have more left in the tank; the actor has a lot more to offer for the character, if given a stronger script and better direction than he had making Superman Returns. While The CW might not be the best home to facilitate that, given they have their own Superman spin-off in the works, HBO Max would be.
HBO Max is developing multiple DC Comics-based series and films. The platform will be home to a Green Lantern series which will tie into the Arrowverse. It could also be a home for Superman-centered projects. Much like how the Snyder Cut can find a true home at HBO Max, Brandon Routh’s Superman could as well. HBO is looking for budgets up to $65 million for their DC projects; a 6 – 8 episode miniseries focusing on Routh’s Superman could fit within that budget. The actor was the highlight of Crisis on Infinite Earths, and even that crossover event only scratched the surface of what the actor can bring to the table.
What a Brandon Routh Superman Series Would Look Like
In terms of story, there are many directions a Brandon Routh Superman series could go. To give a potential series the most room to play with, setting it well before the attack on the Daily Planet would give ample time to have Lois Lane and Jason, Superman’s son in the Reeve/Return franchise, part of the story to flesh out the world. Alternatively, the story could also be dark, telling the story of how Brandon Routh’s Superman became this variation of Kingdom Come. This path would give the most dramatic story, which fits HBO’s motif, but might also be the least fulfilling due to retreading character deaths that have been mentioned and touched on during the crossover. Finally, the story could also take place after Crisis on Infinite Earths, assuming his character somehow survives the crossover, and could be a character study of Superman’s isolation, not too unlike the Obi-Wan Kenobi series currently set for Disney+. This idea would be the most interesting, because it would drive the series closer to a Superman Beyond setting where audiences can see future versions of Superman’s enemies, allowing for new kinds of stories that future films and CW’s own spin-off series won’t touch on.
Brandon Routh still has much to offer as the Man of Steel in the Arrowverse. Superman Returns gave him little to work with, and even less to make his own. Crisis on Infinite Earths helped him develop the character, but with The CW’s less than stellar writing and direction, he still has not had the full chance to flesh out Clark Kent, which he deserves.
More: The Arrowverse Teased Brandon Routh As Superman Three Years Ago
