Superman is as much a part of American culture as apple pie dressed like George Washington. Since the 1950s, fans have been cheering for his heroic pursuits and hoping for justice during times of darkness. The pressure must be overwhelming to find the perfect person to play the role. After all, the wrong superhero can doom a franchise.

So, whenever the caped crusader was set to be recast, reboot, or reinvented, there was always a list of names available. Some are great what-ifs. Some are bizarre Mad Libs-style choices. Either way, the act of finding the perfect Superman can create anxiety in the hearts of casting directors. The best bet is to throw some kryptonite against the wall and see what sticks. These six names almost stuck, but didn’t.

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6 Will Smith

     Sony Pictures

Will Smith was tapped to play the man of steel and was even sent a script to peruse in anticipation of the role. In the end, though, it didn’t work out. Why? According to Smith, the script was all he needed to see. In a 2008 interview with MTV, he explained, “The last Superman I got offered, the script came, and I was like, ‘There is no way I’m playing Superman!” With that, the Fresh Prince of Krytpon was grounded.

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY

5 Brendan Fraser

     BBC Films

Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s…oh, Brendan Fraser? The film was written by J.J. Abrams and was lined up to be one of the newest and biggest reboots of the franchise yet. The title was Superman: Flyby. Fraser has been on-again, off-again Hollywood royalty. With his latest career resurgence, it’s not hard to understand why he’d be seen as a potential Man of Steel. At the time, though, Fraser was still trying to find his footing again in Tinseltown, so when the idea was shelved in favor of Superman Returns, the actor would have to continue his patient wait for a big return of his own.

4 Nicolas Cage

     MGM

Perhaps the most famous almost-Superman was Nicolas Cage. The wild-eyed actor with a propensity for insanity was ready to take over the part and redefine what it meant. Cage’s near-foray into the super world is the stuff of legends. With photos of the long-haired Cage donning the outfit, fans have been clamoring for more than the brief footage online. The intent was for him to not only be Superman, but for his suit to have a mind of its own. The suit, in Superman Lives, was almost that of another character. Demonstrating magical alien-like powers, it could conform and help the hero out during his biggest battles. The biggest battle? Coping with the cancelation of a film so massive that it has caused documentaries, podcasts, and urban legends ever since.

3 Arnold Schwarzenegger

     20th Century Studios

Hasta la vista, Lex Luthor. Arnold Schwarzenegger wasn’t just up for the role of Superman. He was considered for the role of the Superman. The governor-to-be was in talks for the iconic 1978 character. It was the one that defined who Superman was in the modern film world. However, it was the accent that doomed Schwarzenegger. According to producer Ilya Salkind, “When I met (Arnold) at the premiere of the first film, he said ‘Ahhh I should’ve been Superman. With that accent… not too good.”

2 Robert Redford

     Fox Searchlight Pictures

The 1978 incarnation of Superman was known for its strange roster of potential possibilities. While names like Burt Reynolds and Paul Newman both reportedly turned down the part, it was Robert Redford who turned heads as a candidate. Apparently, Redford rejected a large sum of money for the role, but a possible run as the Man of Steel would have been a major change in the trajectory of Redford himself, too. The thought of the heartbreaking actor donning the suit and flashing a smile would be enough to make Lois Lane melt.

1 Nick Nolte

     Paramount Pictures

Superman looking a little haggard? That’s what they would have said if the gruff Nick Nolte hadn’t tanked his own audition and donned the cape for this 1978 part. According to Nolte, the part was his to try for, but his enthusiasm just wasn’t there. He knew before the day was over that he didn’t want the role on his resume. So, he did what you would expect Nolte to do in that situation: “Oh, they were interested in me, but I turned them off by saying that I would only do it if I could play him as a schizophrenic. That’s sabotage. It would have been very strange to play that,” (via Screen Rant).