Jude Law Turned Down Playing Superman After Trying on Costume

Jude Law is revealing why he turned down the opportunity to portray the legendary Man of Steel onscreen.

The Oscar-nominated actor recently opened up on The Playlist’s The Discourse podcast about once being considered for the superhero role in a potential film directed by Brett Ratner.

“So this is true. Yeah. And there was a process of flirtation going on,” Law recalled. “And I always resisted because it just felt like [off]. And I know you can say, ‘Well, but you played Yon-Rogg and Dumbledore!’ It just felt like a step too far.”

He continued, “And it was when Brett Ratner was going to direct, I think. And they didn’t have a script, if I remember rightly. Did they have a script? I don’t remember reading one. This is a long time ago. They brought me the suit. They thought, ‘This might change your mind.’”

However, the Firebrand actor didn’t feel right wearing the supersuit. But he did confirm that the version of the suit he tried on wasn’t the one Christopher Reeve wore. 

“No, it wasn’t the Reeve suit. It was kind of like it was more metallic,” Law explained. “Anyway, I tried it on, and I looked in the mirror and part of me initially was like, ‘Wow, this would be a [good thing],’ and then I just thought, ‘No, you can’t … you can’t do this. You can’t.’ And I didn’t sell myself to myself. And I stepped away and the film never happened anyway. So maybe it probably wouldn’t have done anything.”

Law ultimately joined the list of almost-Superman actors, such as Nicolas Cage. Henry Cavill recently donned the superhero cape from 2013 to 2022.

The latest actor to take on the beloved role is David Corenswet in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman, which is set to be released July 11, 2025.