Actors Brandon Routh and Kate Bosworth share their experiences from the sets of Superman Returns. By Team Viva
What was the best thing about your character in Superman Returns?
Brandon Routh: The best thing was that I get to play ‘Superman’. It was fun to portray this character, who has so much history. The character had many layers to it. Sometimes when I meet kids or even grownups for that matter, who have seen me in the suit, they seem nervous while shaking hands. Kids barely can look at you because, you are The Superman, who saves the world from falling apart. It feels amazing to be people’s favourite.
How did you manage to bring out the differences between Superman and Clark Kent?
Brandon: Well, as you know, they’re the same person but they serve different purpose. We first made a difference between the two physically. We had Superman move very gracefully, kingly and have a great presence. And as for Clark, some people would describe him bumbling. He is just very excited to be around and talk to Lois because this is the only way Superman talks to anybody, through Clark. He is the social face for Superman. So that’s the difference I guess, one is calm and other one is very excited. And playing two characters in a single film was a similar experience as playing two different characters in two films.
How did you prepare for the role?
Brandon: We did a lot of preparation including physical weight training and putting on muscles. I worked with a movement coach, moving the two characters differently and how to make flying look cool. We also indulged in a lot of conservation with Bryan about the story, plot points, the motions involved in the film, imagining what the character would be like and what will the people want to see. Putting the body-hugging suit on for the first time was a little awkward because I was in the room with all the casting. But it way too cool later.
What was it like working with Bryan Singer? How is he as a director?
Brandon: He is great personality. Bryan has an amazing ability to be creative on the spot. He is open to changing the shot or a line, if he feels it is not working. There were some discrepancies because it was a huge script and sometimes things didn’t quite translate well, so we were able to change those. It was great of him for communicating that with me. He was so passionate about the characters in the script and knew he had an opinion. He could give me his views and I had mine so it helped.
What was it playing Lois Lane?
Kate Bosworth: My favourite thing about her was that she appears to be such a modern-day woman, no matter which era she’s been depicted in. I love that she is respected by so many different people and is attractive to men because of her intelligence. She is feisty and passionate. What I enjoyed the most about playing this role was that she does seem so different than the past performances. Lois has a son and a fiancé. Her heart is broken by Superman, so she has got more battle wounds. She feels a little more grown up now.
What was it like being rigged up to fly?
Kate: Initially, it was a pretty awkward experience. To be honest I’m kind of claustrophobic. So when you put on the harness, the body suit and the costume over that, you feel restricted in a lot of ways. But when you’re hooked up and actually doing those flying scenes, it’s all so worth it.
Did you research as to how the character has been portrayed in the past?
Kate: I actually made a very conscious decision not to watch past performances before I played her. I had seen the 1978 version when I was six or seven, so it was years ago. I remember the magic of that, the essence of Lois but the character was so different in the scripts given to me. That was Bryan’s vision and I thought that it was interesting. I really wanted the audience to feel that she’s changed.
How was your experience working with Brandon?
Kate: Brandon is one of the kindest and loveliest people you will ever meet. He does have the quality of being a Superman. He has that pure look in his eyes and carries the kindness in his heart. People might underestimate his ability but I think it’s one of the hardest roles to play because it can be so easily overdone. He played it with much confidence and subtlety.
(Watch the film on June 7 at 9 pm on Sony PIX.)