Superman Actors Ranked

Superman Actors Ranked

We got a new Superman movie dropping in theaters this weekend that means it’s time to talk about the actors to portray Superman. How do I rank them? Let’s talk about it!

NOTE: 

1. I don’t think we’ve gotten a bad Superman. I think all of the actors have done a good job with the material they’re given. Even the actor I have in last place isn’t a testament to their performance. 

2. I’m only including the theatrical actor. All of the tv actors like Tom Weiling, Dean Cain, Tyler Hoechlin won’t be included 

4. Brandon Routh (Superman Returns): It actually kind of pains me to put Routh in last on this list. I’ve mentioned this already but I met him at a Comic Con in 2018 and have a signed photo from him. To be clear, I think Routh did a great job. I really liked what he brought to the role. He’s able to portray the goofy and awkward Clark Kent while also being the heroic Superman. You’re able to believe that Clark Kent and Superman are different people. The way he stands as Kent is so different then Superman. His mannerisms are so different so you very easily believe that they’re different characters. I think that’s helpful when he’s a continuation of Reeves’ Superman. A lot of the aspects that Reeves nailed, Routh is also able to deliver. That’s kind of also the biggest problem with Routh’s Superman is that he is just a continuation of Reeves. All of the other actors were able to do something new and different with the character and Routh didn’t. He was in a legacy sequel continuing the legacy of maybe the most iconic piece of comic book casting. That means that Routh isn’t able to do much that makes him cut through and be a great Superman. Beyond that, I think he has the weakest chemistry with Lois Lane. Again, I don’t know if I blame Routh, I just think Kate Bosworth was miscast in the role. I think her acting with not being able to have the right chemistry with Routh was an issue. I also don’t like that Superman is the third wheel in a love triangle with Lois’ relationship with James Marsden’s character. Once again, I don’t blame Routh for him being last. I think he was a good Superman that had we done something more original he could’ve moved up on the list. 

3. Henry Cavill (DC Extended Universe): This is one that a lot of people are going to be frustrated about. To be clear, I really like Henry Cavill’s Superman. This is the odd ball Superman performance here. All of the other ones are a more classic and traditional take on the character. There’s this “aw shucks” vibe to all of them. A lot of people like that Cavill’s take is the complete opposite. There’s also people that watch that and like it and others that don’t think Cavill is a good Superman. I think of the theatrical Superman we’ve gotten, he's given the clearest character arc. When we meet him in Man of Steel he’s this outcast trying to find his place in this world. He meets Lois that grounds him to reality. He gets killed in Batman v Superman and this resurrection in Zack Snyder’s Justice League to be the hero that his parents told him that he was. His character arc follows this three act structure that you see in screenwriting. Man of Steel is act one establishing him and what he’s all about. Batman v Superman explores the downfall of Superman ending with death that ends act two. Act three being Zack Snyder’s Justice League this resurrection and come back. At the same time, I do think there is wasted potential that comes from Cavill because the DCEU was managed so poorly. We should’ve gotten a proper Man of Steel sequel. Maybe an entire trilogy of Cavill’s Superman. Also, I think Cavill does the weakest job of distinguishing Clark Kent and Superman. Routh, Corenswet, and Reeves all do a great job of making Clark and Superman feel like different characters. When you see Cavill’s Clark it’s so obvious that he’s Superman. When factoring in all of those reasons I have to rank Cavill lower on the list. I don’t think Cavill did anything wrong, the problems with his adaptation are the producers and writing. 

2. David Corenswet (Superman): It feels weird to rank him above Cavill after only having one film with him. With time I’m sure he’ll move around on this list. As of right now after only one movie I really dug Corenswet’s version of the character. After a darker take with Cavill’s Superman, James Gunn wisely went in a very different direction with delivering a more hopeful take on the character. He’s a flawed character but that comes from him being naive and optimistic about the world and others. Gunn likes to explore movies about misunderstood weirdos and outcasts Like Guardians of the Galaxy and The Suicide Squad but make them relatable and grounded. The story of the film and Superman’s character arc involves identity; he’s able to apply those techniques to Superman. I thought that provided a fresh new take on the character that fits into this comic booky world. Corenswet was absolutely up to the challenge of portraying this character. He’s able to be a hopeful Superman that once again feels very optimistic about everything. He feels like a classic take on the character. He’s also able to have Clark Kent and Superman be very different characters despite Clark not having a lot of screen time in the film. He’s Superman much more than he’s Clark Kent. His chemistry with our new Lois Lane, Rachel Brosnahan is great. All of the right notes their chemistry is supposed to hit I thought worked and you believe why they’d love each other and why they’d be annoyed by one another. Like I said, with more installments and adventures with him he could move around on this list. As of right now with only seeing Superman one time, this is where I’m ranking him. 

1. Christopher Reeves (‘70s & ‘80s Superman Era): The original big budget Superman is still the best Superman we’ve gotten. Honestly, it’s going to be pretty hard to top Reeves’ take on the character. He was the original so he was able to be the foundation that other adaptations and performances were able to build off of. What I think works so well about Reeves’ Superman is that he does the best job of distinguishing himself from Clark Kent and Superman. There’s a scene in the 1978 film where he’s in Lois’ apartment as Clark Kent, in that scene he’s a bit hunched over and clumsy like Clark Kent. Then he takes the glasses off and he’s able to transform into Superman right before your eyes. It’s not multiple takes, it’s a one take scene and in that moment you’re able to believe that Clark and Superman are two different people. Reeves’ Superman is very dated, there’s elements in his films that haven’t aged the best. But I think the cheesiness of the character almost works for Superman. Superman was never designed to be a dark hero like Batman. The fact that it’s a bit goofy I think works with this take on the character. Beyond that, we spend time with him in Smallville, as Clark Kent at The Daily Planet, and as Superman. I think all of the other versions are like in one of those departments. When it comes to Reeves he has enough time to do all of it.