That's one of things that irked me about Superman Returns. Dude was gone for 5 years but so was Clark. As soon as Clark comes back Superman is back. They could of done a better job executing that because in the movie just wasn't believable. It was handled better in the Book adaption for Superman Returns, but overall it was weak and lazy storytelling. That shouldn't be the way you trying to reintroduce the character again. MOS sure has it flaws but it's the better way to reintroduce the character to the new generation plus it leaves it open to make things better for the sequels.
Superman Returns - version of Man Of Steel wouldn't have never worked because too much added drama with Lois, Richard and the Kid. Which is why Warner Bros. opted to not move forward with that version of Man of Steel. I do feel sorry for Routh though he looks more like Superman now then he did before since he's older. He definitely has the better height for Superman then Cavill. He just came at the wrong time and was in a bad movie due to Bryan Singer. I think also he would of did a good job in this version of Man of Steel. I didn't like seeing Cavill being shorter then some of soldiers in the movie. They could at least gave him a boot with a heel to make him seem a little taller to be more Superman's height.