Brandon Routh Raves About ‘Ick’ and David Corenswet’s Superman Role: Reveals Emotional Impact!

This month, the debut of James Gunn’s “Superman” was warmly received by Brandon Routh, a former Superman actor, who expressed his excitement on Instagram.

On July 12, Routh shared a movie trailer on his Instagram with a caption encouraging his followers to watch “Superman” in cinemas, adding, “Seeing it soon! At @fanboy_expo in Nashville— chatting with all the incredible Superman enthusiasts who have already seen it, we’re all thrilled to catch it soon! Just like me!”

Routh, who portrayed the iconic superhero in 2006’s “Superman Returns,” has now seen the new movie.

“It was incredibly entertaining,” he mentioned on Monday while promoting his latest film, a sci-fi horror comedy titled “Ick.” “I thoroughly enjoyed it. David [Corenswet] is spectacular. I found myself moved to tears at least three times,” Routh remarked.

“My perspective might be a bit unique,” Routh continued. “I was really engrossed, especially watching him handle those challenging Superman scenarios like the first interaction with Lois and Clark in their apartment. The family dynamics really resonated with me. It’s a substantial film with a lot to unpack. I definitely need to see it again.”

Although “Superman Returns” didn’t perform as expected at the box office and received mixed reviews, Routh has remained a fan of DC. Over the years, he has taken on various roles in several of their comic book adaptations.

“I’m genuinely excited about what’s next for the DC Universe,” he expressed. “A successful debut with this film is beneficial for everyone who appreciates what DC has to offer. There are numerous fantastic properties waiting to be developed.”

In “Ick,” Routh plays Hank Wallace, a former high school football star whose dreams of college football were ended by an injury. Now a science teacher at his alma mater, he joins forces with Grace (Malina Pauli Weissman), a student he suspects may be his daughter with his ex-girlfriend Staci (Mena Suvari), to fend off the Ick, a Blob-like alien menace threatening their town.

The film blends elements of gory horror, science fiction, and teen comedy. It’s set in the year 2000 and features tracks from All-American Rejects, Paramore, and Blink 182.

Director Joseph Kahn utilized archival footage of Routh and Suvari to digitally revert them to their teenage years.

“There’s about 10 to 15 minutes of footage showing high school Hank and Hank in his early twenties, and mostly just the high school scenes for Mena,” Routh explained. “It was easier to de-age her since there was more footage available from that time. For me, it was a challenge as I was just starting my acting career then. The only footage available was from the soap opera ‘One Life to Live,’ which was taped, so there wasn’t much to work with.”

Reflecting on his high school years in Iowa, Routh shared, “I wasn’t the big man on campus like Hank. I was more like Clark Kent. I was involved in a lot of activities. I played soccer, was on the swim team, participated in band, marching band, choir, jazz band, and theater. I was sociable at school, but outside of school, it was just video games and reading after practice.”

In “Ick,” Hank is often teased by his students for being “old.” “It was a bit strange and humbling,” admitted Routh, 45, with a chuckle.

As the Ick starts to overrun the town, it raises questions about its symbolic meaning—whether it represents COVID, climate change, or other natural disasters. “It’s a fun popcorn movie with underlying themes. Every good story has those layers,” Routh observed. “The Ick could symbolize the issues we are too scared to confront because they seem too messy. But ignoring them only causes the problems to accumulate and eventually take control.”

But “Ick” offers a chance to escape from the messiness of real life.

“I’m doing well, all things considered, given the state of the world,” Routh said. “I have a movie coming out and ‘Superman’ is also in theaters. It’s shaping up to be a good summer.”

“Ick” will premiere in select theaters in New York and Los Angeles on July 25, followed by a broader release across the country on July 27.