10 Movies That Almost Killed Actors' Careers

Arriving a few years before the superhero boom kicked off in earnest, Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns was met with a mild reception. Some enjoyed its toned down, mature take on the man from Krypton, but for others it was a little on the slow side, lacking the requisite thrills and explosions we come to the movies for.

The performances, though, were universally praised, especially Brandon Routh in the starring role. It seemed like big things were in store for the young actor. Unfortunately the relative commercial disappointment of the costumed blockbuster and some bad luck with future projects meant that he toiled in obscurity for many a year.

With Superman the only major work under his belt (and the fact that he physically embodies our image of the caped crusader like few others), Routh struggled to be recognised as anything else for a long while. What should have been the beginning of a great career seemed like it might be its peak.

Luckily after nearly a decade of nothing much, Routh is back in business. Returning to DC, he portrayed The Atom on Arrow, and is now part of Legends Of Tomorrow’s main cast.