Brendan Fraseralmost played Superman at one point — though he was never really sure if he wanted the part.During theAcademy Award-nominated actor’s guest spot onThe Howard Stern ShowTuesday, hostHoward Sternrecalled reports that Fraser, 54, was up for the role whileJ.J. Abramswas developing the project that ultimately became 2006’sSuperman Returns.“Everyone in town was reading for Superman. Again, [they were] testing maybe 6 or 7 guys in 2002, 2003,” Fraser said, after Stern, 69, asked whether the part was “the role that got away.“The Whalestar recalled that the latePaul Walkerauditioned for Superman “before me” amid a group of “usual suspects” at the time before admitting he 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 will forevermore be known as the Man of Steel,’ " Fraser told Stern.Brendan Fraser.Monica Schipper/WireImageFraser admitted that his own thought process regarding the role “was a sort of Faustian bargain” because he knew he “didn’t want to be known for only one thing because I prided myself on diversity my whole professional life.““I’m not a one-trick pony,” the actor told Stern.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Asked how he felt when he didn’t win the part —Brandon Routhultimately played Superman inSuperman Returns— Fraser opined that the studio could “probably” see he would not have fully committed to the role.“I felt disappointed that there was an amazing opportunity and it didn’t come to fruition,” the actor said. “It had to a lot with some shenanigans and studio politics, and probably, probably inherently, in my screen test — I think that’s why you test — they could kind of see I was only there like, 98 percent.“RELATED VIDEO: Oscars 2023 Nominations: Brendan Fraser, Austin Butler and Ana de Armas Among NomineesElsewhere in Fraser’s appearance on Stern’s show, the actor explained why hedid not care whether he won an awardat this year’sGolden GlobesafterAustin Butler’s win forElvisin his categoryin January.“Get it or don’t get it, doesn’t matter. What does matter is that it would mean nothing to me,” Fraser, who has claimed that former Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Philip Berksexually assaulted him in 2003, said. (Berk has denied the claims.) “I don’t want it. I didn’t ask to be considered even, that was presumed. I know that would displease many people for lots of reasons, but….“Fraser continued, “They needed me, I didn’t need them. Because it wouldn’t be meaningful to me. Where am I gonna put that hood ornament? What would I do with that?”
Brendan Fraseralmost played Superman at one point — though he was never really sure if he wanted the part.
During theAcademy Award-nominated actor’s guest spot onThe Howard Stern ShowTuesday, hostHoward Sternrecalled reports that Fraser, 54, was up for the role whileJ.J. Abramswas developing the project that ultimately became 2006’sSuperman Returns.
“Everyone in town was reading for Superman. Again, [they were] testing maybe 6 or 7 guys in 2002, 2003,” Fraser said, after Stern, 69, asked whether the part was “the role that got away.”
The Whalestar recalled that the latePaul Walkerauditioned for Superman “before me” amid a group of “usual suspects” at the time before admitting he 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 will forevermore be known as the Man of Steel,’ " Fraser told Stern.
Brendan Fraser.Monica Schipper/WireImage
Fraser admitted that his own thought process regarding the role “was a sort of Faustian bargain” because he knew he “didn’t want to be known for only one thing because I prided myself on diversity my whole professional life.”
“I’m not a one-trick pony,” the actor told Stern.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Asked how he felt when he didn’t win the part —Brandon Routhultimately played Superman inSuperman Returns— Fraser opined that the studio could “probably” see he would not have fully committed to the role.
“I felt disappointed that there was an amazing opportunity and it didn’t come to fruition,” the actor said. “It had to a lot with some shenanigans and studio politics, and probably, probably inherently, in my screen test — I think that’s why you test — they could kind of see I was only there like, 98 percent.”
RELATED VIDEO: Oscars 2023 Nominations: Brendan Fraser, Austin Butler and Ana de Armas Among Nominees
Elsewhere in Fraser’s appearance on Stern’s show, the actor explained why hedid not care whether he won an awardat this year’sGolden GlobesafterAustin Butler’s win forElvisin his categoryin January.
“Get it or don’t get it, doesn’t matter. What does matter is that it would mean nothing to me,” Fraser, who has claimed that former Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Philip Berksexually assaulted him in 2003, said. (Berk has denied the claims.) “I don’t want it. I didn’t ask to be considered even, that was presumed. I know that would displease many people for lots of reasons, but….”
Fraser continued, “They needed me, I didn’t need them. Because it wouldn’t be meaningful to me. Where am I gonna put that hood ornament? What would I do with that?”
source: people.com
