United Kingdom, July 22 -- Brandon Routh "cried no less than three times" during Superman.

The 45-year-old actor - who played the Man of Steel in 2006's Superman Returns - showered Superman star David Corenswet, 32, with praise after he watched the DC comic book movie, and said he was "fantastic" in the iconic role.

Speaking with Variety about Superman, Routh said: "It was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it. I think David is fantastic. I cried no less than three times.

"I see this in a different way. I come at it from a different perspective. I really got into it as I'm watching him navigate those tricky Superman moments in the first conversation with Lois and Clark in the apartment.

"And then all of the family stuff for me really hit....