5 Actors Who Almost Got To Be Superman But Lost The Part

Although playing superheroes hasn't always been as much of a sign of success as it is today, many actors over the years have found themselves trapped in the roles of the most popular comic book characters.

With so many adaptations, you would think there would be no need for more, but each one ends up being even more hyped than the one before.

The most recent Superman, beloved by audiences but unfortunately let go by James Gunn, is of course, Henry Cavill.

The actor seemed to be perfectly comfortable in the role of Clark Kent and became the Superman that many people will forever remember. But he wasn't the only one who could have done the job.

Here are 5 actors who could have been Superman, but never got the part.

Nicolas Cage

Technically, Nicolas Cage got the part but never got the movie, because Tim Burton's production of Superman Lives never started. The only thing left for those who still want to see Cage in Superman's cape is to watch the documentary The Death of Superman Lives: What Happened? instead.

Matt Bomer

Not only does the actor look an awful lot like Clark Kent from the comics, but he also had some experience and understanding of the character after voicing the animated version of him for Superman: Unbound. However, Henry Cavill proved to be the better choice overall for Man of Steel.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

This would be the most unexpected Superman of all, but we bet a lot of people would pay a lot to see it.

Schwarzenegger was up for the role in the 1978 Superman movie, alongside such big names as Sylvester Stallone, Charles Bronson and Clint Eastwood. It would be fun to hear Superman promise to come back, wouldn't it?

Christian Bale

Another actor who had the role covered when the entire production of the movie was canceled is Christian Bale.

There's no doubt that the actor would have made a perfect Superman, but he was destined to become Batman in Batman Begins just a few years later.

Henry Cavill

Sure, Henry Cavill was able to secure the role of Superman in 2013's Zack Snyder's Man of Steel.

However, this was not his first rodeo, as many years before, in 2006, he tried out for another movie, Superman Returns. Luckily, everything worked out for him in the end, but losing the role must have been disappointing at the time.