Leonardo Murat strikes a Superman pose. (Photo courtesy: AFP)
Just another mild-mannered professional on vacation with his girlfriend, 36-year-old Brazilian Leonardo Muylaert was transformed by an unexpected superpower that transformed his life. Going viral on social media: His striking resemblance to Superman. Muylaert is a burly, bespectacled civil rights lawyer from Brasilia.While he was waiting in line at Comic-Con 2022 in Sao Paulo, a stranger secretly filmed him on his phone and was surprised that he was talking to superman Movie star Christopher Reeve.
“Did I see Clark Kent?” the star-favorite comic book fan asked, in a video that quickly racked up thousands of views on TikTok — unbeknownst to Murat, who was Not even a social media account.
A few weeks later, Murat learned from friends that he had become an internet celebrity and was known as the “Brazilian Superman.” “It’s funny and crazy to read that so many people think I look like Superman,” he told AFP.
It was then that an idea took hold in his mind: Buy a Superman suit and try his alter ego on for size. He ordered a vintage costume online and began traveling around Brazil as Superman.
Murat visits hospitals, schools and charities, takes photos with commuters on random street corners and strives to become what he calls a symbol of kindness and hope – all for free.
He took his new look to social media and quickly became an internet star, with his videos being retweeted by: Guardians of the Galaxy Filmmaker James Gunn, director of the upcoming film superman Movie.
Every Clark needs a Lois
To make his magic happen, the superman relies on his super-organized girlfriend Helenis Santos, who handles his agenda, shoots videos for his social media accounts, and is constantly asked: Are you Louise? Ryan?
Recently, on a trip to the National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics (INTO), a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro, Muylaert visited patients and posed for photos with staff who were excited to see the 2.03-meter (nearly six feet, seven inches) ) height of the superhero in the office.
INTO research coordinator Rodrigo Cardoso said: “His presence put a smile on everyone’s face, not just the patients but the entire hospital staff. It gave everyone a Rest and provide new energy for coping with stressful daily tasks.”
Murat, who studied in the United States on a basketball scholarship before finding his superhero calling, handed out gifts to young children at hospitals and lovingly filmed videos for the children and grandchildren of elderly patients.
The future of the Brazilian Superman is uncertain.
When he’s not donning the red and blue suit, he’s back to normal life as a lawyer who specializes in civil rights and needs reading glasses to work. Murat said he is weighing how much room there is in his life for a superhero role.
“It fills a gap in the sometimes very lonely office routine,” he said from his law firm in Brasilia, wearing a suit and tie and looking very much like Clark at his desk at the Daily Planet ·Kent.
“Sometimes, in the long hours and paperwork, you forget how important human interaction and the care and attention so many people need is. Serving the community fills that gap. I get so much from people on social media All the incredible feedback I got there inspired me to keep going.”
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)