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In 2019 Brandon Routh got another chance to play Superman.

Routh first suited up as the Man of Steel for the 2006 film Superman Returns. While the film did well at the box office, it received mixed reviews from critics, and Warner Bros. Pictures ultimately decided to take the character in another direction. The franchise was rebooted with Henry Cavill in the 2013 film Man of Steel. For a time, this looked like the end of Routh’s time in the role. But then 'Crisis' happened.

'Crisis on Infinite Earths' was a television crossover event that ran across the CW’s various DC Universe shows, The Flash, Arrow, Legends of Tomorrow, Supergirl, and Batwoman. Since the 2019 crossover was dealing with the multiverse, Brandon Routh (who was already starring in Legends of Tomorrow as Ray Palmer) was given a chance to don the Superman cape once more.

Speaking to a crowd at Megacon 2025, Routh compared his 2006 portrayal with his 2019 portrayal, and why he felt he did a better job in his second outing.

“I was tasked with transitioning their character from Chris [Reeve] playing the character to me in a similar, pretty much the same story. But I’m a different face, so it’s a different guy. But continuing the same vibe.”

“Playing the feeling, the love when you’re Superman, I didn’t know what that was when I was 25. When I reprised it when I was 40, that helped, because I had been a father, and I had understood a lot more things about life, and I felt more worthy of myself, and more worthy of myself in the role, and able to be a better conduit, and tell the archetype and the story of hero and Superman. That continues to grow.”

To be fair to Routh, I think he did a wonderful job both times he played the role. Whether he’s 25, 40, or 100, he’ll always be Superman to me.

Here's how to watch all the Superman TV series and movies in order.