The former big screen Superman has just joined the cast of small screen spy caper Chuck as CIA special agent Daniel Shaw who has designs on fellow agent and Chuck's guardian angel Sarah Walker. Rebbecca Barry talked to him on set.
Why were you just coming out of a hole with wires attached?
My mission is to retrieve this artefact. I've gotten trapped in the vault. I've come in to train Chuck and I'm the person with the most knowledge about the new enemy, the Ring. I'm the expert and I come in to take control and leadership of the team. And also act as a big brother to Chuck.
Why did you take this role?
Being a fan of the show was a big part of it. My wife and I know all about it so I didn't have to do any research. Daniel Shaw is a completely different character to anything I've played before and there's a bit of comedy which I love. Not laugh out loud stuff but smirks and wry jokes. And there's the relationship to develop with Sarah. So for a lot of fans I'm going to be the bad guy because I'm keeping Sarah away from Chuck. But somebody's gotta do it.
What was it like coming into a well-established show?
It was a bit daunting because all the characters have relationships and my character is a bit jarring for Chuck and Sarah and Casey.
I'm younger than Casey and he's miffed at that, so it takes a while for them to take a shine to me. That's a little strange, playing a character who isn't liked at first.
How did it feel going back to TV?
The pace of TV is very quick. That's nice because it's much quicker turnaround than you get in films where it may take a year or more to come out. It's instant gratification. Most people haven't really seen me in anything other than Superman, although I've done 10 films since then.
How selective have you been with your roles since Superman?
I got offered things earlier on that were very close to Clark [Kent] that I turned down because I didn't want to be pigeon-holed. There's not really much that equates to Superman though, so you can't really replicate that in any other role.
But I definitely wanted to pick things that show different sides of my ability and who I am. I've done that. I have a couple of films coming out, one called Dylan Dog: Dead of Night where I play a private detective who investigates nightmares, paranormal activity, zombies, vampires. And I'm in Scott Pilgrim vs the World, playing a super-vegan with telekinetic powers. It's a bizarre film.
So you lift cucumbers with your eyes, that kind of thing?
Yeah, and I throw Michael Cera around. A lot. I'm the villain but I'm a funny villain because it's an action-comedy. I'm this very over-the-top, egomaniac rockstar. It's very different from Superman. I'm eager for people to see that.
If Shaw and Superman got into a fight, who'd win?
There's no real competition. Although I think Superman would envy Shaw because he can lead a normal life. Shaw is a good guy at heart, although he's a bit cocky and sarcastic with the rest of the team. He's doing his best to take down the Ring. He's trying to get Chuck to be the best spy that he can be, so they can all have as many tools as they can to take out the bad guys.
How much of a normal life have you been able to lead since playing the role no human could live up to?
It was crazy at first, getting used to that idea. I get noticed sometimes but I look a bit different from the character because I don't have blue eyes and my hair's not so finely coiffed. I don't wear my glasses out in public because that's a dead giveaway.
LOWDOWN
Who: Brandon Routh, the former new Clark Kent/Superman from 2006's Superman Returns
What: Chuck, TV2, Wednesdays, 8.30pm
Also: Starring in Scott Pilgrim vs the World at cinemas
- TimeOut
