Superman Brandon Routh Appearing at the Metropolis (IL) Superman Celebration Jun 9-12

The Man of Steel himself will appear at the 2011 Superman celebration, June 9-12 in Metropolis, IL. Actor Brandon Routh, who had the lead role in Superman Returns (2006), will appear at the annual event being held in Superman's official hometown, the only town in America named Metropolis, located on the southern tip of Illinois across from Paducah, KY.

Routh was selected to play Superman in the re-launch of the successful franchise after Warner Brothers considered numerous other actors for the part.

Director Bryan Singer decided on casting a relative unknown for the part as had been done with Christopher Reeves and was impressed by Routh's resemblance to Superman.

Also: Jimmy Olson, Black Canary, and Nuclear Man

Accompanying Routh will be other celebrities who have portrayed characters in the Superman universe. Sam Huntington played Jimmy Olsen in Superman Returns, Alaina Huffman played Black Canary in Smallville, Mark Pillow, who played Superman's nemesis Nuclear Man in Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, opposite Christopher Reeves, and Tracy Roberts Lewis who played Lex Luthor's ally, Darla, in TV's Superboy starring Christopher Girard.

Comic Book Artists

The celebrity guests also include noted comic book artists Jamal Igle who worked on Superman's Reign and numerous other graphics projects, Freddie E. Williams II, currently the artist on DC Comics' series JSA All-Stars, Josh Elder, creator of Mail Order Ninja, Lin Workman of the web comic Scared Silly, Melvin L. Williams, creator of Muley the Mule and Friends, and more.

Other Events

The annual event includes much more than it's special guests. As always, there is the 15-foot bronze statue of Superman standing next to the Massac County Courthouse where visitors can pose for photos alongside. On the courthouse square across from Superman is the Super Museum, filled with Superman memorabilia. operated by a man who lived in Los Angeles as a kid and charged other kids to see his bedroom Superman museum where he displayed props rescued from the trash at the studio where The Adventures of Superman was filmed. Displays include one of actor George Reeves' Superman costumes.

The four-day weekend event includes Sunday's costume contest, Saturday night's artists Alley Costume Dance, Saturday evening's Fan Film Awards, Muley's Talent-Less Revue Saturday, and Movie Night Friday which includes films featuring special guests who appeared in Superman IV and an episode of TV's The Adventures of Superboy: Darla Goes Ballistic.

There are numerous other events as well and unrelated local attractions include the rebuilt fort at Fort Massac State Historic Site where George Rogers Clark and his Revolutionary War soldiers entered Illinois and Harrah's Casino, both in Metropolis.