Matt Bomer reveals he missed out on Superman role because he was outed as a gay man

Matt Bomer is married to Simon Halls, a film and TV publicist. He publicly came out in 2012 during an award acceptance speech for his advocacy work in HIV/AIDS. (Image via X)

Bagging a role as Superman is something that could change an actor’s career forever. It is a prestigious role bestowed upon to you which is usually a hit or miss in the entertainment world. Hollywood actor Matt Bomer, known for his role as Hawkins Fuller in the 2023 romance/drama “Fellow Travelers,” claims he missed out on landing the Superman role after being outed about his sexuality.

The 46-year-old actor disclosed that he was nearly signed on the Superman role in the early 2000’s for an axed Warner Bros film titled, "Superman: Flyby,” on the Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast.

Speaking on the podcast, Bomer said, "I went in on a cattle call for Superman, and then it turned into a one-month audition experience where I was auditioning repeatedly.” Bomer further added that he could feel he had almost had it saying,“It looked like I was the director’s choice for the role. I signed a three-picture deal at Warner Bros.

When asked whether his sexual orientation caused a hindrance in his casting, he replied, “Yeah, that’s my understanding. That was a time in the industry when something like that could still really be weaponised against you. How, and why, and who [outed me], I don’t know.”

Bomer also revealed that he felt because he felt so certain that he was going to get it he had also been written off of his role on the drama series, “Guiding Light.” “On Guiding Light, there was a killer in town, so the executive producer, very kindly, wanted to free me up just in case the [Superman] job came through.

“So [the Guiding Light producer] said, ‘Hey, you’re going to be the killer. We’re writing you off the show; go with my blessing.’ I basically got fired, but in a generous way.”

The since-shelved Superman project was meant to be directed by JJ Abrams, who is widely known for his work on “Star Trek”, “Star Wars”, and even the “Mission Impossible" film series with Tom Cruise. But the project was instead retooled and handed over to Bryan Singer for Superman Returns, which was released in 2006 and starred Brandon Routh.

Mr. Bomer recounted that he fortuitously received an early script for USA Network's "White Collar," which ultimately became his breakout role, shortly after the setback with "Superman: Flyby."

Other actors who almost donned the iconic red Superman suit include Nicolas Cage, once set to lead in Tim Burton's unproduced film “Superman Lives", and Jacob Elordi, who revealed to GQ that he declined read for the role.

“Well, they asked me to read for Superman,” Elordi shared in his interview for the 2023 Men of the Year issue. “That was immediately, ‘No, thank you.’ That’s too much. That’s too dark for me.”

Next summer, James Gunn's Superman reboot, “Superman: Legacy”, will hit theaters, featuring David Corenswet and Rachel Brosnahan in leading roles.

Matt Bomer first gained recognition on the American daytime TV show “All My Children” and later rose to international fame with the 2012 film “Magic Mike”. His other notable works include “The Nice Guys” and “The Normal Heart".

Matt Bomer is married to Simon Halls, a film and TV publicist. He publicly came out in 2012 during an award acceptance speech for his advocacy work in HIV/AIDS.

"I'd really especially like to thank my beautiful family: Simon, Kit, Walker, Henry," he said at the time, referring to Halls and the couple's three sons. "Thank you for teaching me what unconditional love is. You will always be my proudest accomplishment."