In the early 2000s, Warner Bros. poured tens of millions of dollars into developing Superman: Flyby, written by J.J. Abrams. The script reimagined Krypton not as an exploding wasteland, but as a planet torn apart by civil war, sending a young Kal-El to Earth on a messianic survival mission. The studio cycled through directors, landing on Brett Ratner, who launched an exhaustive talent search for an unknown lead capable of carrying a multi-picture franchise.
Bomer was a rising star fresh off soap operas and television pilots when he entered the studio lot for a full Warner Bros screen test in 2002. Ratner favored Bomer heavily. The actor signed a three-picture deal, shot extensive screen tests in costume, and appeared positioned to lead Hollywood's next billion-dollar franchise. At the very same time, a nineteen-year-old Cavill traveled from the United Kingdom to audition for the exact same role under McG, who briefly took over the project after Ratner stepped away.
Neither actor got the part. The entire project imploded under budget anxieties and logistical disputes, leading Warner Bros. to shelve the script entirely. Bryan Singer was brought in to direct Superman Returns in 2006, casting Brandon Routh instead. For both young performers, the sudden collapse was an early masterclass in the volatility of franchise filmmaking. They lost the roles through studio politics rather than lack of talent.
