Could Matt Bomer have been a live-action Superman? The Doom Patrol actor believes he lost out on the part following being outed as gay.
Matt Bomer has long been a beloved member of the DC Universe. The actor starred in the hit series Doom Patrol, along with voicing both The Flash and Superman in the DC animated universe. However, could it have been possible to see him don the cape and trunks in live-action?
It’s long been known that Matt Bomer was a finalist to play Superman in the project that would eventually turn into Superman: Returns. While the part would eventually go to Brandon Routh, it was unclear why Bomer missed out on the role, especially given he had already signed a contract for multiple films.
Matt Bomer Thinks His Sexuality Cost Him Superman
When speaking about losing out on the role of Superman, Matt Bomer reflected on the extensive process of interviewing for the role. He believes that, despite being the director’s choice for the role, he ultimately lost the part due to being outed as gay prior to coming out in 2012.
“I went in on a cattle call for Superman, and then it turned into a one-month audition experience where I was auditioning again and again and again,” Bomer explained in a recent interview with THR. “It looked like I was the director’s choice for the role. This is a very early iteration of Superman written by J.J. Abrams, called Superman: Flyby, I think is what it was called, and it never came to light.”
“Yeah, that’s my understanding,” Bomer said concerning the idea he lost the role due to his sexuality. “That was a time in the industry when something like that could still really be weaponized against you. How, and why, and who, I don’t know, but yeah, that’s my understanding.”
With how much culture has changed in the last 20 years, it’s easy to forget that the early 2000s was a time that was incredibly hostile toward gay people, especially in the public eye of the entertainment industry. While it’ll never be known for sure if Matt Bomer truly did lose out on the role of Superman due to his sexuality, fans can at least take some comfort to know the actor found his home in the DC Universe with projects like Doom Patrol.
Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of the DC Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!
