Late last year, Warner Bros. shook up its DC Comics universe when it announced it’d be wiping its superhero slate clean (more or less), ditching daddy Henry Cavill in the process who’d been playing Superman since 2013’s Man Of Steel.
With Guardians Of The Galaxy and The Suicide Squad filmmaker James Gunn at the helm of DC Studios, the big idea was to hit reset and bring some young blood into the massive franchise, starting with “Supes,” a.k.a. Clark Kent in the movie Superman: Legacy.
Naturally, Hollywood’s been abuzz over who might don the red cape next, following in the footsteps of the hunky Cavill, the one-off Brandon Routh (2006’s Superman Returns), and Hollywood legend Christopher Reeve, who originated the role on the big screen in the ’70s.
Per a new report from Variety, one of the latest names to step into the fray is former soap star Pierson Fodé, an actor who piqued our interest because, well…. look at him!
Born in small-town Washington, it’s said that Fodé began producing and starring in his own amateur films as a teenager, then moved out to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career the first chance he got.
His earliest credits include a guest role in Nickelodeon’s iCarly, the web soap Runaway, and a five-episode arc on the Disney Channel’s Jessie. The 31-year-old’s biggest break came in 2015 when he joined CBS’s long-running soap The Bold And The Beautiful as powerful playboy heir Thomas Forrester.
Related:
9 times soap operas got too gay for daytime TV
For a while there, soaps had a habit of introducing gay storylines and then writing those character off the show completely.
More recently, his credits include the Dynasty reboot, workplace sitcom Tacoma FD, the Netflix action-comedy The Man From Toronto, and, interestingly, The CW’s Supergirl—so he’s well-versed in the people of Krypton.
But, for our purposes, Fodé’s most notable past role was a little-seen 2015 rom-com called Naomi And Ely’s No Kiss List in which he played gay!
Based on a book from the writers of Nick And Norah’s Infinite Playlist (if that title didn’t give it away), the movie is about two BFFs—a straight girl (Victorious‘ Victoria Justice) and a gay guy (Fodé)—who have similar taste in men. Therefore, they instated the eponymous “no kiss list” to ensure certain guys are off limits as a way to avoid any drama.
Things get complicated, however—they always do—when Naomi and Ely crush on the same guy. It also doesn’t help that Naomi has long harbored feelings for her bestie, hoping he’d one day “go straight” for her.
Look, we’re not going to sit here and tell you this is an amazing, must-watch movie. But! If you want to see the gorgeous Fodé go gay-for-pay, kiss men, and be frequently shirtless, then there are worse ways to spend 90 minutes!
So, what does this have to do with Superman? Well, nothing, to be honest—we just like the idea that the new Clark Kent has some gay history and is, at the very least, and LGBTQ+ community. He was even cast in the original pilot of Netflix’s upcoming queer comedy Glamorous, back when it was going to be a series on The CW.
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‘Glamorous’ is gonna give the gays everything they want.
Plus, if we’re being generous, Fodé is a pretty charming screen presence in Naomi And Ely’s No Kiss List. And, per James Gunn, the new Supes should have “the kindness and the compassion that Superman has and be somebody who you want to give a hug.”
We certainly wouldn’t mind giving Fodé a hug.
Whether he gets the part is still up in the air—and it may be a minute until we know either way. So, in the meantime, please enjoy some photos of Pierson Fodé that prove why he’s got what it takes to be the new Man Of Steel.
Louis
I might be a bit biased being a Brit, but Henry is going to be a tough act to follow. To me, he just oozes superman. His jawline. His stare. His physique. Fodé looks in great shape and is conventionally handsome but I feel like superman needs to be a bit beefier with his muscles. Not bodybuilder beefy. But more than what the above photos show. Maybe he’d bulk for the role which would work fine.
man5996853
I don’t think that you are biased in the least. Henry Cavill is one of the most beautiful men I’ve ever seen. He’s almost objectively perfect.
greekboy
I guess this means that I’ll have Henry all to myself now. Will someone tell him that I’ll be waiting by the phone booth
Diplomat
Pierson is new to me so I rented No Kiss List on Prime and he didn’t disappoint. He’s a good actor with the looks and alpha male bravado to back it up. Superman may be a long shot but with the right trainer and the right costume hair and makeup crew, he could very well sizzle the part.
skeldare
He also had a small part during the last season of Animal Kingdom where he played a gay character.
FreddieW
Henry Cavill is the hottest man on the planet. This guy doesn’t have a single hair on his chest, looks like. Sorry, nobody is going to measure up to Cavill.
I can’t even watch Christopher Reeve anymore.
FreddieW
I don’t want to see anyone but Amy Adams as Lois Lane, either. She’s the first actress to make the character likeable and to make me believe Superman could actually fall for her.
cuteguy
If they’re going for younger, they can do no better than the iconic Kit Connor. Yes he’s a dreamy ginger, but they could always dye his beautiful hair. And he’s already bulked up for MCU, reportedly for Hulkling. And he could be the first to do DC and MCU since he already goes both ways. And to all the old farts out there, yes, bisexual men DO exist!!! Kit Connor is a god!!!!
Scribe38
I feel like DC has messed this up so bad. The fact that the big 3 actors turned down work to be available to DC is just wrong. They need a good payout.
WillParkinson
DC screwed up (and screwed over) Mr. Cavill. I didn’t see the movies (DC isn’t a favorite), but they did him dirty.
eeebee333
Please stop using the term “gay for pay” in this context.
Also, I think Brandon Routh was sadly under-appreciated as Superman.
decampbell
This guy is at best 5/10. It’s gonna be a Super downgrade from Cavill, who was 12/10.