Matt Bomer nearly soared into the iconic red cape of Superman himself! Yes, you heard it right. The man who can make hearts flutter with just a glance was this close to donning the tights and flying high in the skies.
Picture this: a young Matt strutting into the audition room, his hair perfectly coiffed, jawline chiseled enough to rival even Superman’s. He goes through rounds of auditions, each time bringing more charm and charisma than the last. It’s like the universe was saying, “Yes, Matt, you are our Superman!” But alas, fate had other plans.
As Matt recounts on THR’s Awards Chatter podcast, he was primed to be the Man of Steel in the early 2000s rendition of Superman: Flyby, penned by none other than J.J. Abrams. But just when he was about to leap tall buildings in a single bound, the dreaded kryptonite of Hollywood struck—rumors swirled, whispers grew louder, and suddenly, being gay became a hotter topic than a villain’s evil lair.
So, what did Matt do to lose his chance at super-stardom? According to him, it wasn’t his inability to leap tall buildings in a single bound, but rather the fact that he was as fabulous as a cape in a hurricane. Yes, being openly gay in Hollywood back then was akin to wearing a target on your back. But fear not, for justice may be delayed, but it’s never denied!
In a twist of fate worthy of a comic book crossover event, Superman: Flyby was shelved faster than you can say “faster than a speeding bullet,” leaving Matt to ponder what could have been. Instead, we got Superman Returns, starring Brandon Routh, and Matt got to graciously thank his husband and adorable trio of sons during his Steve Chase Humanitarian Award speech—a moment more heartwarming than a superhero team-up.
So, while Matt may not have saved the day as the Man of Steel on the big screen, he’s undoubtedly a hero in his own right, showing that being true to yourself is the greatest superpower of all. Plus, let’s face it, who needs flight when you’ve got charm that can make even Lex Luthor blush?