From Superman to super agent

LOS ANGELES — “Superman Returns” actor Brandon Routh is playing a hero — but this time he is not wearing a cape and a brightly colored suit. He is now part of the cast of NBC's “Chuck.”

His character is new boss and teacher for novice spy Chuck (Zachary Levi). But, like all of the other characters on the series, Routh's role has secrets that will be revealed slowly.

“He's a good spy but very different from Superman,” Routh said during an interview on the set of the TV series.

Those of you waiting for Routh, who was born in Des Moines and was a University of Iowa student for a time, to suit up again as Superman better get used to him playing different roles.

Asked whether he would be making another “Superman” movie, Routh says, “You know as much as I know. I don't know anything. I went through some anticipation for a while, but it has been four years now, so I have moved on to other things.”

Joining “Chuck,” which airs Monday on NBC, meant Routh had to blend into a cast that already had a smooth chemistry.

“You learn when to speak up and when not,” Routh says. “I think I have found my place now.”

At least the role proves the “Superman” curse doesn't hit every actor. George Reeves, who played the Man of Steel in the '50s TV series, and Christopher Reeve, Superman in the '80s movies, complained that playing Superman limited the roles they were offered.

“Playing Superman hasn't haunted me by any means,” Routh says. “The challenge with that is a lot of people in the industry just stereotyped ‘Superman Returns' as a silly kind of movie. I have done quite a lot of roles since then, but not a lot has gotten out.”

His films “Scott Pilgrim vs. the World,” “Miss Nobody” and “Dead of Night” are scheduled to be released this year.