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In a candid revelation on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, Matt Bomer shared that he was once on the cusp of donning the iconic red cape as Superman, only to lose the role due to his sexuality. During the June 10 episode, Bomer, now 46, opened up about how his dreams of playing Clark Kent in the early 2000s were dashed when he was outed as gay.
Bomer recounted that he had signed a three-picture deal with Warner Bros. Pictures and was set to star in an early version of Superman written by J.J. Abrams, tentatively titled Superman: Flyby. “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 said, adding that his producers on the soap opera Guiding Light even wrote off his character because they felt he had a strong chance to portray the major superhero character.
“It looked like I was the director’s choice for the role,” Bomer shared. “I signed a three-picture deal at Warner Bros.” However, when asked if his sexual orientation ultimately influenced the decision not to cast him, Bomer responded affirmatively. “Yeah, that’s my understanding. That was a time in the industry when something like that could still really be weaponized against you,” he added. “How, and why, and who, I don’t know, but yeah, that’s my understanding.”
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Bomer did not publicly come out until 2012, a pivotal moment when he thanked his husband, Simon Halls, and their three children while accepting an honor at the Steve Chase Humanitarian Awards. Despite the setback in his early career, Bomer has since become a celebrated actor known for his roles in White Collar, Fellow Travelers, The Normal Heart, and Doom Patrol.
Interestingly, author Jackie Collins echoed a similar narrative in a 2012 interview with Gaydar Radio, where she mentioned that someone had told the producers about Bomer’s sexuality, leading to his rejection. “Someone didn’t like him and told [the producers] he was gay,” Collins said. “They said, ‘No, no, we can’t cast you.’ The reason he didn’t get cast was because he was gay.”
Although Superman: Flyby never saw the light of day, the Superman franchise continued with 2006’s Superman Returns, starring Brandon Routh. The latest reboot, Superman: Legacy, directed by James Gunn and featuring David Corenswet as the new Man of Steel, is scheduled for release next summer.
Matt Bomer’s story is a poignant reminder of the barriers LGBTQ+ actors have faced in Hollywood. While progress has been made, his experience underscores the industry’s historical challenges with inclusivity and acceptance.
Related: White Collar Reboot in the Works with Out & Proud Matt Bomer