After being speculated that this would happen eventually, now it’s happening.
According to DEADLINE, The CW TV network is developing a Superman TV series, SUPERMAN AND LOIS, which will star starring Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch.
Todd Helbing (THE FLASH), DC TV Universe architect Greg Berlanti, and Warner Bros. TV are developing the project. Helbing executive produces with Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, and Geoff Johns.
The trade says that SUPERMAN AND LOIS will not have a backdoor pilot on one of The CW’s DC shows (though the actors have portrayed the characters previously on SUPERGIRL and other DC shows on The CW), but is being developed as a standalone pilot.
The most significant thing to take from this news is that Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment are finally going all-in with one of DC Comics’ biggest characters, Superman, with an ongoing live-action TV series.
Truth be told, Superman has enjoyed quite a bit of success on TV going back to THE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN with George Reeves back in the 1950s, LOIS AND CLARK in the 1990s, and SMALLVILLE in the 2000s.
What is also significant is that this very likely means that Warner Bros. Pictures has put Superman on film on the backburner and has no immediate plans for another Superman film — be it a MAN OF STEEL sequel with Henry Cavill or a reboot via another director and actor.
Of course, we kinda already knew this, right?
For the record, I get why WB is in no rush to develop and release another Superman movie anytime soon after the BATMAN v SUPERMAN/JUSTICE LEAGUE disaster; and the fact that the last 2 solo Superman flicks — SUPERMAN RETURNS (2006) and MAN OF STEEL (2013) didn’t set the world on fire. Frankly, it seems that they are a bit gunshy when it comes to Superman on film.
All of this reminds me of the mistake that WB made back in 2013 by not going throw with a true “Superman” sequel to MAN OF STEEL instead of making friggin’ BATMAN v SUPERMAN. That’s where it went off the rails and I’m still not happy about it.
So, what do you all think of this news? Post your thoughts in the comments section below! – Bill “Jett” Ramey
