10 Actors Who Blew Their Big Chance Before They Got Going

10. Brandon Routh

Eight years on from Superman Returns, we've seen a whole lot of comic book movies, some of which have been abysmal (R.I.P.D., Jonah Hex), and some of which have utterly failed to live up to the source material no matter how excellent it is (Watchmen). Superman Returns, and by extension its star Brandon Routh, committed the crimes of being mediocre and trying too hard to respect Christopher Reeve, and in retrospect the huge backlash seems excessive to say the least. Routh picked up a poisoned chalice, replacing a beloved actor who was so accomplished in the role that you can understand why Metropolis might believe Clark Kent and Superman are two different people. As he was technically playing Reeve's Superman, he was caught between copying his predecessor and defeating the point of the continuation, so settled for a milquetoast performance which was entirely forgettable. And just like that, his big chance at fame went up in smoke. After Superman Returns he disappeared for two years, only to resurface in bit parts in 2008 still committed to a Superman sequel which never happened, saying that he just needed to 'take a break'. By that time his moment had passed and despite an entertaining turn on Chuck, it seems unlikely that he'll return as a leading man.