Brandon Routh: From Comic Hero to Comic Lead

When you hear the name Brandon Routh, it’s fair to say that the first things that come to mind are capes, tights and comic books. When stepping into the boots of Christopher Reeve to play the title role in 2006’s Superman Returns, playing one of the seven evil exes in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World in 2010 or appearing in the CW’s Arrowverse as both The Atom and Superman, the world of comic books has been a major part of the actor’s career. But if the Man of Steel himself can be rebooted, so can Routh, and while headlining two new films this year, Out of Order! and Ick, his priority has been to make you laugh. 

“I certainly love comedy,” Routh says with a smile, reflecting on his starring role in Out of Order! “This is the kind of work that I’d like to continue to be doing. And as comedy is kind of my first love in the acting realm… I’m happy to present these two characters — and my comedy abilities — in such a strong way. It was a great gift to be a part of this movie.” In Out of Order!, Routh plays John Slater, a down-on-his-luck lawyer who disguises himself to represent both sides of the same lawsuit in a desperate bid to impress his ex. It’s a film that channels the energy of classic ‘90s comedies, aiming for the zaniness of a Robin Williams or Jim Carrey flick. The film premiered earlier this month at the Chelsea Film Festival in New York City.  

In Out of Order!, John Slater flips between his soft spoken, bespectacled self and his alter ego “Jack,” a blond-coiffed, smarmy legal eagle. When it comes to any visual similarities between John Slater and his most famous screen role, Routh is clear that it was neither intentional nor entirely accidental. “I think there definitely was a consideration about the Clark Kent aspect — the fact that he’s in his glasses and an ill-fitting suit,” Routh says. “Because the movie is so comedically forward and dynamic in that way, I kind of just said, ‘Well, if that’s a problem, then those people can have a problem.’ But this is too much fun … too great an opportunity for me to say no.”

Routh is especially proud of the balance he struck playing the two versions of John Slater. “I think I wanted to make sure that Jack wasn’t too far out there, or too broad,” Routh says. “But the movie was broad, so I think it was just trusting the other actors to support me… and that Guy Jacobson, our director, was making sure I was staying true to the energy of the movie.” The film also reunites Routh with a good friend, Sam Huntington, who appeared opposite in Superman Returns and again in Dylan Dog: Dead of Night in 2011. In much of the same way he dismissed the concern about John Slater’s glasses, Routh didn’t care if people initially thought of Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen when they saw the two actors on screen together, he jumped at the chance for a third collaboration with Huntington, hoping for more. The supporting cast also includes the legendary Brooke Shields, who plays Jack’s boss, Daniella, a cutthroat high-priced lawyer with a flexible sense of ethics. “She’s just an amazing person,” Routh says. “To work with her and go kind of toe-to-toe was pretty iconic and incredible. I enjoyed every minute.” 

Meanwhile, the feature debut of acclaimed music video director Joseph Kahn, which premiered at Toronto International Film Festival in 2024 and is currently available on most video on demand platforms, Ick takes Routh into a different genre but continues to explore comedic storytelling in unexpected ways. “It’s a monster horror movie, but it’s a comedy,” Routh explains, and as with Out of Order!, the actor also served as a producer. Routh plays Hank Wallace, a washed-up high school quarterback turned science teacher, who teams up with a sharp-tongued student, Grace (Malina Weissman, A Series of Unfortunate Events), who happens to be the daughter of Hank’s high school sweetheart, Staci (Mena Suvari, American Beauty). Together, Hank and Grace face off against a creeping, vine-like alien growth known simply as “The Ick.” Invoking ‘50s schlock-horror like The Blob and Joe Dante’s ‘80s horror comedies, Ick cleverly uses Routh and Suvari to help poke fun at the early 2000s in campy flashback sequences. “Anything that has comedy as a strong throughline is something that I’m interested in,” Routh says. “It’s a fun way to tell hero stories. And we can find humor in all the terribleness that sometimes exists in the world. We definitely need to laugh more.”

It’s clear that Routh is entering a new phase — not as a caped crusader, but as a comedy actor with something to say. From the splatter-filled satire of Ick to the legal hijinks of Out of Order, Brandon Routh is carving out a new comedic identity — and having a great time putting a fresh, modern spin on old favorites.

Read other film interviews by Patrick Gibbs:
Olga Kurylenko’s New Horror Film Stands out from Any Other
Jennifer Lopez’s Spidey Sense is Tingling in Kiss of the Spider Woman