Relatively an unknown actor, with television acting credits in One Life to Live, Gilmore Girls, Will & Grace and Cold Case, the 25-year old American actor was chosen for the role of Superman following an exhaustive search that spanned the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Thousands of candidates were interviewed before the final selection was made according to the studio.

"Contrary to speculation, it was always my absolute intention to hire an unknown for this role,” commented Bryan Singer, the director of the upcoming Superman feature film, in a statement.

“Brandon is an extremely fine actor who possesses the physical qualifications of Clark Kent/Superman. But he also embodies the legacy and history of this character in a way that makes me certain he's the right choice,” Singer added.

Routh follows legendary and famous actors for the role of Superman, the most famous among them is Christopher Reeve who passed away October 11.

Reeve who was a Broadway actor and also relatively unknown when he landed the Superman role in 1978 was a role model both on-screen and off-screen when he became an activist on spinal cord research after a horseback riding accident left him a paraplegic.

Following months of therapy, he went back to work in the film industry as a director and also an actor, even with his disability. Beloved for his role as Superman, Christopher Reeve won the hearts of millions as he overcame his disability to be a very productive and active member of our society, embodying the qualities of Superman even in real life.

Kirk Alyn, Dean Cain, George Reeves and Tom Welling are among those who had taken the Superman role in either television or film.

The new and still untitled Superman movie is expected to begin principal photography in Australia early next year for release in summer, 2006. It is produced by Jon Peters, Bryan Singer and Gilbert Adler from a screenplay by Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris. No other casting has been announced.