Matt Bomer Believes Being Outed As Gay Cost Him SUPERMAN Role

Matt Bomer Believes Being Outed As Gay Cost Him SUPERMAN Role

Matt Bomer was in line to play the Man of Steel in an early incarnation of what would become Superman Returns, and the Doom Patrol star believes being outed as gay cost him the role...

By MarkCassidy - Jun 12, 2024 11:06 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman

As we know, Matt Bomer was a finalist to play the Man of Steel back in the 2000s in an early incarnation of the project that would ultimately become Bryan Singer's Superman Returns, and the actor believes he missed out on the role for one very specific reason.

We had heard that Bomer came very close to landing the part, but it sounds like he had all-but signed on to play the iconic DC Comics hero in "Superman: Flyby," which was going to be helmed by J.J. Abrams.

“I went in on a cattle call for Superman, and then it turned into a one-month audition experience where I was auditioning again and again and again,” the Doom Patrol star explained during an interview with THR. “It looked like I was the director’s choice for the role. This is a very early iteration of Superman written by J.J. Abrams, called Superman: Flyby, I think is what it was called, and it never came to light.”

Bomer didn't publicly come out as gay until 2012, but the actor's sexuality was well known in certain circles, and he feels that being "outed" ultimately cost him the opportunity to suit-up as the Man of Tomorrow.

“Yeah, that’s my understanding,” he responded when asked if his sexuality was a factor in the studio’s reluctance to hire him. “That was a time in the industry when something like that could still really be weaponized against you. How, and why, and who, I don’t know, but yeah, that’s my understanding.”

Back in 2012, author Jackie Collins told Gaydar Radio that Bomer being outed as gay prevented him from being hired to play Clark Kent.

"Matt Bomer, who is the most gorgeous looking guy and the star of White Collar, he had not come out of the closet, but people in the know knew he was gay,” Collins said. "His audition tape went in and he called up the agent and somebody didn’t like him and told [the producers] he was gay. They said, ‘No, no, we can’t cast you.’ The reason he didn’t get cast was because he was gay.”

This has been disputed over the years, however, with some claiming that Bomer simply lost the part when the project's original director, Brett Ratner, was replaced. It's said that the studio wanted a bigger star for Abrams' version of the film, which is when the likes of Brendan Fraser, Josh Hartnett and Paul Walker were eyed.

At 46-years-old, Bomer remains a fan-favorite pick to play an older take on Superman. The actor did get the chance to voice the character in direct-to-DVD animated movie Superman: Unbound in 2013.

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CyberNigerian
CyberNigerian - 6/12/2024, 11:02 AM
Thought he auditioned for MoS.
Conquistador
Conquistador - 6/12/2024, 11:40 AM
@CyberNigerian - Suprised Singer didn't sign him for Returns though. As a gay man himself he often hired others who were known in the LGBTQ community such as McKellan, Cummings and Spacey.
CyberNigerian
CyberNigerian - 6/12/2024, 11:05 AM
The man has the look. It would have been quite fitting though....the fan base is mainly male.

Just look at the demographic of restorethesynderverse fanatics.
ImmovableForce
ImmovableForce - 6/12/2024, 8:15 PM
@CyberNigerian - You failed to express your point. You said he has the look. I agree. You said it would have been quite fitting, the fanbase is mainly male, but I don't know what you're referring to with the "It". What would have been quite fitting? I've tried guessing but nothing I think up makes sense.
Evansly
Evansly - 6/12/2024, 11:06 AM
Talented actor, I would have loved to see White Collar come back to do movies like Psych did, RIP Willie Garson.

I could definitely see him in some fairly substantial roles in the future
Chewtoy
Chewtoy - 6/12/2024, 11:12 AM
@Evansly - They just announced within the last month that they would be bringing White Collar back, and had plans to do some kind of fitting tribute to Mozzie.
Evansly
Evansly - 6/12/2024, 11:16 AM
@Chewtoy - That is some really good news, thank you for sharing that.

The cast really worked so well together, there will definitely be a hole without Mozzie but I look forward to seeing the tribute

I always loved these little cross over scenes during ad breaks
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Evansly
Evansly - 6/12/2024, 11:17 AM
@Evansly - Psych 4 script and cast seem to be ready for it to be greenlit so if these could align I'd be so happy
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 6/12/2024, 11:27 AM
@Evansly - yep , that was a fun show and I’m glad to hear that it’s coming back too!!.

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TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 6/12/2024, 11:33 AM
@Evansly - Psych is legit one of my favorites if all time…

Didn’t know they had were doing a fourth one soon so that’s cool (I know they had plans for it).

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Evansly
Evansly - 6/12/2024, 11:39 AM
@TheVisionary25 - Psych is one of my comfort shows and I agree one of my favorites of all time. Even the dips in the series weren't bad and I definitely was sad after the series finale.

If I remember correctly they planned on 6 movies originally, hopefully that can be seen through!
Evansly
Evansly - 6/12/2024, 11:40 AM
@TheVisionary25 - User Comment Image
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 6/12/2024, 11:40 AM
@Evansly - agreed

It’s a show that I have many times just put on in the background while doing other stuff

I hope they are able to do all 6 because I have enjoyed all 3 thus far to varying degrees.
Evansly
Evansly - 6/12/2024, 11:45 AM
@TheVisionary25 - I personally like this bromance more than JD and Turk in Scrubs but both are really great

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lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 6/12/2024, 11:07 AM
Dude has always straight-up looked like Superman. He's awesome in Doom Patrol.

I'm shocked Singer didn't look at him because Matt being gay wouldn't be a problem with him.
WruceBayne
WruceBayne - 6/12/2024, 11:12 AM
@lazlodaytona - this is when J J Abrams was doing Flyby. Flyby was canned for Singer and Superman Returns.
Matchesz
Matchesz - 6/12/2024, 11:09 AM
Damn, it’s always the cute ones
WakandaTech
WakandaTech - 6/12/2024, 11:09 AM
He does have the look and the acting chops

So he's probably right

I remember when Ricky Martin finally came out as gay

He lost like 75% of his audience

Women no longer cared for him knowing that his songs were not meant for them
Shivermetimbers
Shivermetimbers - 6/12/2024, 11:53 AM
@WakandaTech - My wife had a huge crush on Ricky Martin and I always said he was as gay as can be. She denied it forever and when he finally proved me right and came out as gay, it certainly changed her tune a little. Obviously she still likes him and his music, but she doesn't have that fangirl crush anymore. Anyway, that was a long way of saying that you gave a great example.
Apophis71
Apophis71 - 6/12/2024, 12:27 PM
@Shivermetimbers - I know of cases like that with school friends who were into Wham in the 80's, still liked George Michael songs but not as giddy over him as they had been about him and his solo songs and his in Wham before he came out as Gay. I mean things may have changed in part more cos of the legal issues, not like I quizzed them on it and fuzzy on timelines on that one (was more into Rock than pop) making it less clear but...

Vigor
Vigor - 6/12/2024, 11:11 AM
I believe it 💯

And people still ask why we have gay pride festivals. Just last weekend my cousin [who works in a warehouse with very conservative minded people, it should be noted] asked why there's gay pride fest. Why is it "shoved in our face". A popular saying we are hearing nowadays. We were at the time, walking the streets amid a gay pride fest

My dad and I had to remind my very african American cousin, about the popular phrase "I'm black and I'm proud". When he realized the hypocrisy in his statement he shut right up 🙄
Matador
Matador - 6/12/2024, 11:18 AM
@Vigor - We have to endure 1 whole month of this because of a sexual decision what's so proud about that?!

But we have veteran's 1 day to commemorate there lives lost, nor do we acknowledged Law enforcement, firemen, or other brave heroes who have lost there lives for others. But a whole month because there proud of a single decision that orients themselves and pronouns; smh.
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