My 2 cents:
1. Routh was ok looks wise, but was too skinny and young looking. The costume looked too pansy on him, the way they streamlined it. I think that's why a lot of people didn't like his casting in general. But let's get real-- director Bryan Singer (who is openly gay) supposedly had the hots for Brandon, thus the casting.
2. They want a Dec. 2012 release date....hmmmm...the "end of the world" is Dec. 21st, 2012. Could this be a set-up to introduce the bad guy Doomsday?