Paul Walker; Superman.Photo:Ian West/PA Images via Getty; Getty
Ian West/PA Images via Getty; Getty
Paul Walkercould’ve been the Man of Steel.
In the 2018 documentaryI Am Paul Walker, which aired Saturday on The CW, the lateFast & Furiousactor’s manager Matt Luber said that Walker “was screen testing for Superman” at some point before his death. (Walkerdied in a car accidentat age 40 on Nov. 30, 2013.)
“I think it was a $10 million deal, and he was the frontrunner,” Luber added.
“I knew he was up for it,” said Walker’s stunt double and childhood friend, Oakley Lehman, in the documentary. “I knew he was thinking about doing it, and I knew he did not want to do three or fourSuperman[films] and be Superman for the rest of his life.”
Luber went on to recall a phone call he got from Walker in which the actor told him, " ‘I’ve got an ‘S’ on, I got a cape, boots, tights … this is not me. I’m getting the f— out of here. Gotta go. F— you.’ And he was gone."
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Brandon Routh (L) and Henry Cavill as Superman.Warner Brothers/Courtesy Everett; Clay Enos/Warner Bros.
Warner Brothers/Courtesy Everett; Clay Enos/Warner Bros.
Among those who played Superman on the big screen during Walker’s lifetime wereChristopher Reevein the 1978Supermanand its sequels, as well asBrandon Routhin 2006’sSuperman Returns.
Henry Cavilllater donned the glasses-and-cape combo of the hero with the Clark Kent alias, starting with 2013’sMan of Steeland, most recently, for a cameo in last year’sThe Flash.
In February 2023,Brendan Fraserrevealed during a guest spot onThe Howard Stern Showthat he and Walker were both up for the lead in 2006’sSuperman Returns, and that “everyone in town was reading for” the part around the year of 2002 or 2003.
TheAcademy Awardwinner, 55, recalled that Walker auditioned for Superman “before me” amid a group of “usual suspects” at the time, before admitting he also felt hesitant to fully commit to the iconic superhero role.
“Of course it’s a life-changing, amazing opportunity, but I had to reconcile with, ‘Okay, say you do get the job to be the Man of Steel. It’s going to be chipped on your gravestone. Are you okay with that? You willforevermore be known as the Man of Steel,’ " Fraser told Stern.
Paul Walker in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 21, 2013.Mauricio Santana/Getty
Mauricio Santana/Getty
Walker himself commented on opting out of playing Superman back in 2003, telling theChicago Sun-Timesthat he “could have made a gazillion dollars on that franchise” but didn’t need it.
“My favorite brand of running shoes costs $23. I rarely pay more than $40 for my jeans,” he said at the time. “Throw in a T-shirt and that costs me $20 or $10 if I buy it on the beach. I don’t need a gazillion dollars to manage that kind of lifestyle.”
I Am Paul Walker,which firstaired on Paramount Network in August 2018, “explores Paul’s private side in tandem with the highlights of his highly successful film career,” according to a release.
source: people.com
