The Only Superhero Movie Quentin Tarantino Loves is Not a Marvel Movie: Why Brandon Routh Quit Playing Superman?

Quentin Tarantino may be one of the biggest film geeks in the world, but he isn’t really an avid fan of superhero movies. And yet, his favorite superhero movie isn’t a Marvel one, but rather, one from the DC Universe: Superman Returns (2006). Yes, the very movie that served as the first and last movie where Brandon Routh embodied the role of the Man of Steel.

Back in 2009, in an interview with the New York Times, he not only admitted that he was a fan of Bryan Singer’s 2006 flick, but also revealed that he was writing a “20-page review” of the same. When asked who won the best director in his “own little Cannes Film Festival,” Tarantino said, 

Well, if the Tarantino, who is renowned for being a perfectionist who takes his time to make sure the job is done right, feels there’s something special about Returns, then does that really leave room for any doubts?

Why Did Brandon Routh Stop Playing Superman?

Unfortunately for Quentin Tarantino, his love for superhero movies couldn’t get past Returns, since Brandon Routh stopped playing Superman after that one film from 2006. While that role only marked his second film appearance, it still successfully established him as a spiritual successor to Christopher Reeve’s Clark Kent among many fans.

If anything, despite his inexperience, the actor really succeeded in giving a largely physical, symbolic performance. However, despite his performance going on to earn him tremendous applause from fans worldwide, even becoming beloved to a filmmaker like Tarantino, Returns ended up being the first and last movie of Routh as Superman.

A major reason behind his falling out appears to be the performance of the movie. Made on a reported budget of around $270 million, the flick made around $391 million at the box offices worldwide (via Box Office Mojo). But, of course, these numbers were a huge box office disappointment, and thus, the film was deemed a financial failure.

In the wake of those mediocre box office results, the two potential sequels that Routh was signed on to appear in could never materialize either. Plus, during an appearance on the Inside of You podcast in 2020, Routh confessed that he developed an ego after Returns, feeling he hadn’t “earned” what he thought he should after a big movie. Though he does now recognize that it was a flawed way of thinking, so that’s that as well.

Quentin Tarantino Also Has a Unique Take on Superman

Quentin Tarantino. | Credits: Image by Siebbi / Licensed under CC 3.0 / Via Wikimedia Commons.

Besides being a fan of Superman Returns, Quentin Tarantino also had a pretty interesting take on the character of the Man of Steel. This came into light during a Kill Bill: Volume 2 monologue delivered by David Carradine’s Bill to Uma Thurman’s Bride, when he explained his theory about alter egos. In that scene, he said,

Adding to this, the monologue further suggested that Kal-El actually immerses himself in the human experience. He said about the character, “His alter ego is Clark Kent. Clark Kent is how Superman views us. He’s weak, unsure of himself, he’s a coward.” 

Plus, he also emphasized how the character’s costume is a reminder of his origins, but the glasses and suit of Clark Kent represent the getup that Superman dons to blend in among the common people, so that’s an interesting fact worth acknowledging, too.

You can see the scene on YouTube:

Though, of course, this approach might have many arguing otherwise, Tarantino’s narrative pretty much resonates since it goes beyond the surface-level superhero narrative. To say the least, it opens the windows of intrigue for audiences enough to have them rethink the iconic character in a way that emphasizes his connection with the very people that he aims to protect.

Either way, as interesting a take as that may be, what’s your perspective on this? Do you feel the same way as Quentin Tarantino? Make sure to let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comment section!

Superman Returns can currently be streamed on Netflix.