Brandon Routh may forever be remembered as Superman, but in Out of Order! — the opening night film of the 2025 Chelsea Film Festival — he proves that comedy might just be his true superpower.
In Guy Jacobson’s madcap legal farce, Routh stars as John Slater, a frazzled young lawyer who tries to win back his glamorous ex by landing a job at a top New York law firm, only to discover he is representing both sides of the same lawsuit in disguise. What follows is a whirlwind of fake mustaches, mistaken identities, and physical chaos straight out of a 1990s screwball classic.
When we spoke, Routh was juggling another kind of double life, fielding questions while his young son chimed in with his own movie commentary. It was a relatable and endearing moment. “He’s the biggest fan of this movie,” Routh laughed, pausing mid-answer to remind his son that it was still Dad’s interview time. As a fellow parent, it was refreshing to see my Superman handling the same kind of kid interruptions most of us know too well.
Routh credits his son and the comedies he grew up on as key inspirations. “My son said Mrs. Doubtfire was an inspiration, and he’s right,” Routh said. “All those big, over-the-top 1990s comedies I grew up watching—Robin Williams, Jim Carrey—they were part of what shaped John and Jack.”
That physicality defines his performance. “Some people get excited about stunts,” he said. “I don’t really get excited about stunts, but if it’s a comedic stunt, then I’m all in. How can I make it more funny and silly? That’s what excites me.”
As both star and producer, Routh helped shape the tone of Out of Order! and even brought in his Superman Returns co-star and real-life friend Sam Huntington. “We workshopped the script a lot with Guy,” Routh explained. “It was about finding the chemistry between Sam and me, what made it pop.”
Beyond the laughs, Routh sees Out of Order! as a reminder of the joy that lighter films can bring. “There’s a lack of cynicism here,” he said. “We live in dark, sarcastic times, but that doesn’t mean movies full of hope and humor don’t matter. What we consume has an impact on us. If I can give even a little joy through a role, that’s a gift.”
With a cast that includes Brooke Shields, Luis Guzmán, Sandra Bernhard, Krysta Rodriguez, and Tao Okamoto, Out of Order! is both a love letter to classic comedies and a showcase for Routh’s impeccable timing. And seeing him handle a mischievous kid and a demanding dual role all in one morning is proof that some heroes really can do it all.
Jessie Hobson