How Superman Snuck Into His Film

The wait is finally over: Superman returns to theaters Wednesday and newcomer Brandon Routh flies into film history making his big screen debut as the legendary "Man of Steel."

Routh visited The Early Show on Wednesday, speaking with co-anchor Hannah Storm about the experience of stepping into the iconic role of Clark Kent.

Routh says since landing the role, his life has been changing before his eyes everyday.

On Tuesday night, he snuck into a theater to watch the movie with fans.

Asked what the experience was like, Routh says: "It was very cool to see that they were reacting the same way people did that were kind of obliged to clap and cheer. They all clapped and cheered and laughed at the same things, and some things that people hadn't heard people laugh at they laughed at. So it was awesome to know it was getting the same response from fans."

Before landing the role, Routh was relatively unknown. But now he's drawing attention and getting reaction from people on the streets.

"Well, everybody's very excited to have Superman back on the big screen, I think. So it's been, you know, an interesting experience," he says.

Asked if people are viewing him as Superman or nervous to talk to him, Routh says, "Some people are. Especially people that have seen the film, I think, are even more so, seeing images ... It's kind of just the name. I hear people shouting 'Superman' and calling it out. But until they actually see the movie, I don't know that they themselves can truly believe it until they see it."

Reviews for the film have been fantastic and critics have said he carries the film with apparent effortlessness.

"I'm sure it wasn't effortless, was it?" Storm asks.

"Of course it was, Hannah," Routh replies, with a hint of sarcasm. "No, not necessarily effortless, but it was a lot of fun."

Routh says he was comfortable playing the role but says in the process of making the movie, there was one uncomfortable aspect.

"The only thing that wasn't comfortable about the role was the harness and some of the flying stuff," he says. "But, you know, it's all paid off. It's amazing stuff. We learned a lot. So, you know, if and when we do another one, we'll be ready to know what we're doing."

Growing up, Routh says he was a big Superman fan, watching Christopher Reeve. "It was on television for the first time when I was 5 or 6," he says.

"And a lot of people have always told you look like Chris Reeve, right?" Storm asks.

"When I first started into the entertainment industry, that's the first time I recall someone saying it," he says.

The movie is dedicated to Christopher Reeve and his wife, Dana. The late Dana Reeve wrote Routh a lovely note when he got the role her husband first brought to the big screen in 1978.

"That meant a lot to me to know the family was in support of the film being made," Routh explains. "I'd had no contact with them at that point."

"Did he influence the way you played the role at all?" Storm asks.

"Absolutely. He was my Superman," he says. "So to say that he didn't — you know, it's absolutely not true. I watched those films many times as a kid and even through growing up. And so his spirit is in this film, and we're making a vague sequel in a way, so there has to be some things that are somewhat similar in appearance and feel so that helps bridge the gap. Especially for people who it's hard to see me as this character. It's nice way to kind of transition everybody into it. So some things are somewhat similar and some things are different."

Asked what the auditioning process was like for the blockbuster role, Routh says: "It was very long for me. I had any initial meeting seven months before I got cast. It was a long time for me to be waiting and thinking and dreaming about it. Many auditions, two screen tests two directors. And just a lot of thinking positively about it."

"Well, your parents say that you're so down to earth. Your mom said that you came back to Iowa. You're the same guy. Your dad said a lot of people get popular and get a snooty attitude. 'That will never happen to Brandon.' You went home, right? And had a premiere in Des Moines Iowa. What was that like for you?" Storm asks.

"It was fantastic," Routh recalls. "To be able to share this with everyone. They already are — my parents talked to a lot of people and they love to share and let people know what's going on because people are excited just by knowing that they're my parents even.

"It's fun for everybody to share in it. And this was awesome to not much like this happens in Des Moines. So to share that experience with everyone was, you know, really great."