Arrowverse actor Brandon Routh has teased fans with a silhouetted, behind-the-scenes glimpse at his returning Superman. The Iowa-born actor debuted as Ray Palmer in Arrow season 3. Also known by the superhero name, The Atom, Routh later transferred to the Legends of Tomorrow spin-off, where he has served as a core member of the ever-shifting ensemble for multiple seasons. Over that time, he has played different incarnations of the character - including a demon-possessed antagonist in season 4. In August, however, it was announced that Routh and Courtney Ford would be written out in season 5.
Before he departs, however, Routh will play not one but two prominent roles in the upcoming Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover. After sitting out last year’s Elseworlds event in favor of their own individual time-bending adventure, the disparate group of outcasts and misfits will reunite with the heroes of The Flash, Supergirl, and more in order to halt the machinations of the villainous Anti-Monitor (played by LaMonica Garrett). As well as continuing to play Ray Palmer, Routh will also once again don the famous red cape as Kingdom Come Superman. The actor previously played the Man of Steel in the 2006 big screen outing, Superman Returns. Although a sequel was originally planned, a disappointing box office return led to the franchise being ultimately rebooted with Henry Cavill in 2013.
With filming on Crisis on Infinite Earths having officially begun, numerous new details and behind the scenes images have also started to image. Posting via his personal Instagram, Routh himself shared one such picture. Described as part of a VFX scan for his newest super suit, the still is merely a silhouette of Routh. What makes it so distinctive, however, is the return of the iconic hair curl that marked both his and Christopher Reeve’s incarnation of Superman. Reminding fans that he is indeed returning soon, the post urges fans to stay tuned. Check out the full image in the space below:
Routh won’t be the only Man of Steel on the block. Tom Welling was recently confirmed to be reprising his Smallville version of the character. Joined by Erica Durance, who played his Lois Lane, they shared their own behind-the-scenes image. Prior to that, it was also announced that Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch would also return as Supergirl’s version of Clark and Lois, respectively. Routh might not even be the only version of The Atom to feature in the highly-anticipated five-hour event, with Supernatural actor Osric Chau confirmed as Ryan Choi (who went on to assume the mantle in the Gail Simone-penned comics).
How the episodes ultimately deal with all their Superman variations (and the ever-expanding cast list as a whole) will have to remain to be seen, however. With the saga reported to have Marvel-like spoiler protections, the same goes for how they will ultimately fare against their latest combined threat. Whatever the case, though, Routh’s post has already done the trick, with numerous fans having already expressed their increased excitement for what is to come.
More: Arrowverse: Why Crisis On Infinite Earths Is So Important
Crisis on Infinite Earths will begin on The CW on December 8.
Source: Brandon Routh/Instagram
