Will Smith Explains Why He Turned Down the Iconic Role: “There Is No Way”

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Will Smith recently shared that he almost played Superman in the 2006 movie Superman Returns, a role he ultimately turned down. He revealed this in an interview with MTV back in 2008, explaining that it could have significantly altered the course of his career.

Will Smith turned down a recent ‘Superman’ role after reading the script, saying it just wasn’t right for him. He explained that after playing Jim West, he realized Hollywood isn’t open to actors changing the portrayal of iconic white characters. He believes altering those roles could end his career in the industry.

Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns aimed to pick up the story where Superman II left off, effectively disregarding the subsequent films starring Christopher Reeve. Brandon Routh was eventually cast as Superman, after being considered alongside other actors like Henry Cavill, largely because of his strong resemblance to a young Reeve.

Will Smith’s remarks shed light on the racial norms present in Hollywood during that era. Although filmmakers now often talk about casting without considering race, Superman has almost always been shown as a white character. While comic books have explored different versions of the story through alternate universes, the classic portrayal of Clark Kent has remained consistent.

Even though Will Smith didn’t play Superman, he still appeared in superhero movies. He starred in Hancock, which drew inspiration from the Superman story, and later played Deadshot in the 2016 film Suicide Squad. While Suicide Squad wasn’t a huge hit with critics, it performed better financially and critically than Superman Returns.

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2025-12-16 12:14