Since its creation back in 1938, there’s already a long list of actors who donned the Superman suit. For more than 85 years, the Man of Steel has had a fair share of adaptations, both on TV and in cinema. With DC and Warner Bros. casting a new actor, David Corenswet, to replace Henry Cavill Superman in the upcoming Superman: Legacy, let’s take a look at every premiered actor who flew through the skies and became the beacon of hope in history while also ranking them from worst to best.
David Corenswet has been cast as the next Superman. pic.twitter.com/Lf58eakn7F
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) June 27, 2023
Kirk Alyn (Superman, 1948)
In the late ’40s, just a decade after Superman’s debut in the comics, Kirk Alyn became the first actor to portray the superhero on television. Alyn’s Superman was far from that of the comics. He doesn’t look strong and the performance was somewhat whimsical. He did, however, got the hair perfect.
Although this version of the beloved superhero wasn’t the best, Kirk Alyn’s depiction would pave the way for future actors. At the time, Alyn played the role well. Unfortunately, his costume isn’t the best.
Dean Cain (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, 1993-1997)
Some might argue that Dean Cain is the most miscast Superman in recent memory, we can’t take away that the show lasted for five years. Cain had a great physique and was super athletic, hence why he was selected. The show is titled “Lois & Clark”, however, it seems that the show was leaning more toward Clark Kent’s love interest, Lois.
Despite that, Cain’s Kent/Superman portrayal was pretty good, although it was quirky at times. This show has more like a rom-com touch with the addition of Superman’s powers.
Brandon Routh (Superman Returns, 2006)
In 2006, DC wanted to continue Christopher Reeve’s Superman movies, but with another actor. Warner Bros. selected an up-and-coming star who had a pretty decent resume, Brandon Routh. This was supposed to be Routh’s big break, but after the film was labeled as a box office flop, this project damaged Routh’s career even more. Obviously, a sequel did not push through.
Superman Returns (2006) was made as a continuation of Superman: The Movie but it felt like a disaster. The timeline was messed up and the writing was bad. Regardless of the bad reviews, Brandon Routh definitely looked the part. He had the physique, the face, and had similarities with the late Christopher Reeve. At a glance, it doesn’t make us wonder why he was chosen since he looked like Reeve’s son.
George Reeves (Adventures of Superman, 1952-1958; Superman and the Mole Men, 1951)
After Kirk Alyn hanged the cape, George Reeves (Gone With the Wind) was named as the successor to play Superman. Shortly, Reeves’ portrayal influenced a lot of young kids during that time. For some, George Reeves is still the perfect Kal-El.
Opposite to Alyn, Reeves looked bigger, stronger, and taller, and embraced Superman’s attributes. Plus, the red and blue tights were improved. He also started the trend of a witty, confident, and intellectual Clark Kent instead of being the quirky, pushover, and shy alter-ego. Unfortunately, he would be killed in 1959, marking an end to his life and career as a beloved actor.
Tom Welling (Smallville, 2001-2011)
Among all of these Superman actors, only Tom Welling had the chance to feature more of Clark Kent rather than Superman. In 2001, Welling played the character in Smallville and was instantly a hit. The show ran for 10 seasons and ultimately ended in 2011. This is the first and only time that a show brought us to Clark’s younger years. The character development was great and we saw more of Superman’s alter-ego and his life before becoming the world’s mightiest hero.
It was only in the series finale that Tom Welling was seen wearing the suit. Overall, the young Welling did a great job and nailed the portrayal of Clark Kent’s backstory. He would have gone higher on our ranking, but the next three names created a better legacy.
Tyler Hoechlin (Superman & Lois, 2021-present)
CW had created some of the best DC shows like Arrow, The Flash, and Supergirl, but their best one yet is Superman & Lois. Donning the suit and the cape is Tyler Hoechlin, who started acting at just the age of 3. Hoechlin already has a great resume as a TV actor such as Teen Wolf. But, his portrayal of Superman/Clark Kent was outstanding.
If Tom Welling showcased the early years of Clark Kent, well, Tyler Hoechlin tackled the problems of saving the world and keeping his family together. He had the dilemma of protecting everyone, but also being able to be a good husband and father to his two sons. Superman may have been Kryptonian at birth, but he is now human, just like everyone else. Superman & Lois is a highly-rated TV show and is slated for a fourth season in 2024.
Henry Cavill (Man of Steel, 2013; Justice League, 2017)
His departure from the role was very unexpected and it was sour. After James Gunn allegedly fired Henry Cavill, many fans were furious about this change. For most, Cavill is the perfect Superman. It feels like he was born for this. He’s got the body, the brain, the morals, and everything you would look for in the Man of Steel. Plus, Cavill also showed a darker and grittier side of the superhero and what it would look like if Superman went rogue (spoiler, it won’t be pretty).
Everybody thought Henry Cavill will be on more of DC’s future projects after his cameo in Black Adam. Unfortunately, we won’t be seeing that happen ever. There are also some rumors about him being in another successful franchise, James Bond. While Cavill’s got eyes on other projects, it’s interesting that he could play Agent 007 in the future.
Christopher Reeve (Superman I, II, III, and IV)
Some may have already forgotten about Christopher Reeve, but he is the only actor who ever got not one, not two, not three, but four Superman movies. To those who’ve seen Reeve in theaters and in real life, many would say that he is the perfect Superman. He embodied the character who was the beacon of hope, a reinforcer of justice, and a good man. Looking back, nobody knew about his dedication and passion for the role.
One may argue that Christopher Reeve will always be Superman and whoever comes next in line will always be compared to the late great actor. To this day, he will be remembered as Superman.
Do you agree with our list? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below. For more content, stay with us here at Spiel Times. Make sure you subscribe to our push notifications and never miss an update. You can also follow us on Spiel Anime, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube. Until next time!
