By Through no mistake of his own, Brendan Fraser’s history with transforming narratives from the DC universe from the page to the screen has not been remarkable. Long before that elusive Batgirl picture was filmed and archived, there existed a period when the Academy Award-winning actor was nearly soaring in Superman: Flyby. Among the numerous near-miss projects that sought to bring the Man of Steel to existence, Flyby was created and scripted by J.J. Abrams and was initially intended to be helmed by Brett Ratner. This interpretation aimed to emphasize a science-fiction perspective for the Last Son of Krypton with an origin narrative depicting his home planet embroiled in an all-out civil conflict.
While reminiscing about the period he approached the threshold of the Fortress of Solitude on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Fraser recounted perusing a script and even trying on the costume. “Oh, I cherished that screenplay. They permitted me to read it. They secured me in a vacant office in, I don’t know, some studio lot. [I] signed a non-disclosure agreement. It was printed in black, on crimson paper, so you couldn’t photocopy it or smuggle it out the door unobtrusively.”
Without delving too deeply, Fraser commended Abrams’ vision of the Big Blue Boy Scout. “I mean, it was Shakespeare in space. It was an exceptional screenplay. It truly was. But, indeed, I was considered. I did perform a screen test. I did wear the large guy’s outfit.”
He wasn’t the sole individual contemplated for the role at that time. Personalities such as Jude Law, Josh Hartnett, Paul Walker, and Ashton Kutcher were contacted, and even Henry Cavill participated in a screen test in the outfit before he would ultimately land the role in Man of Steel. For Fraser, however, he was keenly aware of the pressures associated with donning the cape, which is why he felt hesitant about even trying it on.
“If I reflect on it, I can recall sensing a bit of anxiety anyway when you’re embarking on a major assignment. But I also remember pondering, ‘Hm, if I do secure this role, then, well, I think ‘Superman’s gonna be etched on my gravestone,’ you understand?” Fraser expressed. “There’s an aspect of, ‘You are known for that for the rest of your life. Your profession.’ And that’s not a negative thing. I’m not implying that it will be detrimental to me anytime soon, but, you know, it is something that integrates into your entire identity. Who you are.”
The universe might have missed the opportunity for a fantastic interpretation of Superman, but it’s not all grim tidings. Who requires a hero with heat vision and superspeed, when Fraser is primed to reprise his part as Rick O’Connell in a fresh Mummy film? He won’t be solitary either, as Rachel