Superman (franchise)

The American comic book character Superman, created in 1938, has appeared in many types of media since the 1940s. Superman has appeared in radio, television, movies, and video games each on multiple occasions, and his name, symbol, and image have appeared on products and merchandise.

Superman
Actors who have portrayed Superman:
(top) Kirk Alyn, George Reeves, Christopher Reeve, John Haymes Newton, Gerard Christopher
(bottom) Dean Cain, Tom Welling, Brandon Routh, Henry Cavill, and Tyler Hoechlin
Created by
Original workAction Comics #1
Owner
Years1938–present
Films and television
Film(s)
Television series
Animated series
Games
Video game(s)
Audio
Radio program(s)
Original musicIt's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman (1966)
Miscellaneous
Theme park attraction(s)

Portrayals

Among the actors who have played Superman / Superboy (and/or his alter ego, Clark Kent) are:

Portrayed by

Voice only

Radio and audio

Film
Main article: Superman in film

Animated film

Live-action film

Canceled Superman live-action films

Television

Adventures of Superman
Main article: Adventures of Superman (TV series)

The series premiered September 19, 1952 in black & white on the television network Syndication and ended April 28, 1958. George Reeves portrays Clark Kent / Superman with Jack Larson as Jimmy Olsen, John Hamilton as Perry White, and Robert Shayne as Inspector Henderson.

Superboy
Main article: Superboy (TV series)

The series premiered October 8, 1988 on the television network Syndication and ended on May 17, 1992. John Haymes Newton, and later Gerard Christopher, portrays Clark Kent / Superboy with Stacy Haiduk as Lana Lang, Jim Calvert as T.J. White, Scott James Wells as Lex Luthor, Stuart Whitman and Salome Jens as Jonathan and Martha Kent.

Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
Main article: Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman

The series premiered September 12, 1993 on ABC and ended June 14, 1997. Dean Cain stars as Clark Kent / Superman alongside Teri Hatcher as Lois Lane.

Smallville
Main article: Smallville

The series premiered October 16, 2001 on The WB and ended May 13, 2011. Tom Welling stars as Clark Kent and depicts the early days of Superman as Clark, before becoming the Man of Steel.

Supergirl
Main article: Supergirl (TV series)

The series premiered October 26, 2015 on The CW and ended November 9, 2021. Tyler Hoechlin guest stars as Clark Kent / Superman alongside Bitsie Tulloch as Lois Lane. They later appeared in annual Arrowverse crossovers such as Elseworlds and Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Krypton
Main article: Krypton (TV series)

The series premiered March 21, 2018 on Syfy and ended August 14, 2019. It primarily focuses on Superman's grandfather.

Superman & Lois
Main article: Superman & Lois

The series premiered February 23, 2021 on The CW. Clark Kent / Superman and Lois Lane are the main characters in television series set in the Arrowverse, with Hoechlin and Tulloch reprising their roles.

Peacemaker
Main article: Peacemaker (TV series)

Superman made an appearance in the Peacemaker season finale episode "It's Cow or Never" portrayed by a stand-in.

Untitled Superman series

Michael B. Jordan was developing, producing and starring as Val-Zod in a limited series for HBO Max.[15][16]

Animated television

DC Animated Universe

Superman appears in various series set in the DC Animated Universe:

  • Superman first appears in his eponymous series, voiced by Tim Daly as an adult, Jason Marsden as a teenager, and Jesse Batten as an infant. His reputation becomes jeopardized in the two-part finale "Legacy", where he attacks Earth under Darkseid's mind control, losing the trust of many, including Professor Hamilton who begins working against him from then on by joining Project Cadmus.
  • Superman next appears in the Batman Beyond two-parter "The Call", voiced by Christopher McDonald. He is first shown disguised as a bystander that is taken hostage by Inque, but he quickly reveals himself and takes her out. He then shows up at the Batcave to recruit Terry McGinnis, Bruce's successor, into the Justice League, apparently to help him find a traitor within the League. Bruce and Terry both discover the traitor to be Superman himself, and Bruce gives Terry a piece of kryptonite to stop him, having kept it in his possession ever since the events of "Legacy". However, it is then discovered that Superman had been under the control of a starfish-like alien (Starro), whom he had previously taken from the Preserver's captivity alongside many other endling aliens as depicted in the Superman: The Animated Series two-part episode "The Main Man". Terry frees Superman, and the two help the rest of the league send Starro back to its homeworld. He then offers Terry membership in the League only for him to turn it down.
  • Superman next appears in Justice League. Due to being under contract to star in The Fugitive, Tim Daly was replaced by George Newbern, who would go on to voice the character in Justice League Unlimited and Static Shock. In the series, Superman, having regained some of the trust he lost after the events of "Legacy", forms a superhero team to protect the Earth from threats too big for one hero to handle. Superman is portrayed as physically older and somewhat weaker than his previous appearances during the first season of the show; these changes are reverted during the second season.
  • Superman guest stars in the Static Shock episode "Toys in the Hood", where he visits Dakota and helps Static battle against Toyman, whom he had been tracking down. In this series, Superman is given full eyes with blue irises, compared to his other appearances within the DCAU.
  • In Justice League Unlimited, Superman struggles with his fear of becoming a threat to humanity, but ultimately prevails and reestablishes the Justice League as the world's premier superhero team.

My Adventures with Superman
Main article: My Adventures with Superman

Superman appears in My Adventures with Superman, voiced by Jack Quaid, with Kari Wahlgren voicing him as a child.[17] The series follows him alongside a fearless, whip smart Lois Lane who are navigating the small tasks of both becoming adults and trying to save the world.[18][19] The series premiered on July 6, 2023 on Adult Swim, with an encore run following on its Toonami programming block.[20][21][22] Additionally, the versions of Superman from the Fleischer cartoons, DC Animated Universe, and Justice Lords universe make non-speaking cameo appearances in the episode "Kiss Kiss Fall in Portal".

Canceled Superman animated series
  • In June 2006, during an interview about Superman: Brainiac Attacks, writer Duane Capizzi mentioned a Superman series set in the same universe of The Batman, a possibility supported by Superman's revealed existence during the show's fifth season.[23] Despite this, the expansion was never realized, and Capizzi never again mentioned the spin-off.
  • At one point, an untitled Superman animated project was in conceptual stage, with designs by James Tucker.[24]
  • There were plans to make an animated series featuring Superman and Batman. It would have been an origin story.[25]
  • Animator Genndy Tartakovsky was developing a Superman short for DC Nation back in 2013, but the block's cancellation in the following year resulted in this animated project getting cut. Early design work on the short was completed.[24]
  • In May 2018, Vinton Heuck and Sean Galloway pitched a Superman Family animated series to Warner Bros. Animation but the pitch was rejected in favor of the Harley Quinn animated series. The characters would have included Kong Kenan, Jon Kent, Damian Wayne, Mr. Mzyzptlk and Natasha Irons/Steel, among others.[24][26]

Video games
Main article: List of Superman video games

Theatre and live performances

Literature and printed media

Newspaper
Main article: Superman (comic strip)

Superman was a daily newspaper comic strip which began on January 16, 1939, and a separate Sunday strip was added on November 5, 1939. These strips ran continuously until May 1966. In 1941, the McClure Syndicate had placed the strip in hundreds of newspapers. At its peak, the strip, featuring Superman, was in over 300 daily newspapers and 90 Sunday papers, with a readership of over 20 million.

Attractions and theme park rides
Superman Escape at Warner Bros. Movie World

Art

Parodies
Superman depicted as stricken by AIDS, in an awareness campaign
  • The cartoon Underdog in which Shoeshine Boy becomes "Underdog" with the help of an energy pill.
  • The cartoon series Groovy Goolies featured dimwitted Frankie as "Super Ghoul".
  • Walt Disney's Goofy did a parody of Superman with the help of "super goobers" {Peanuts} in which Goofy became "Super Goof" clothed in red underwear with "SG" and a blue cape and endowed with super ears, super sight, super strength, super voice and super flying. Goofy's crime fighting always interrupted his date with Clarabelle Cow.[31]
  • Warner Brothers' Daffy Duck did a parody of Superman as Stupor Duck.
  • The 2019 superhero horror film Brightburn is a dark deconstruction of the Superman character.
  • Superman's image was used in an AIDS awareness campaign by French organization AIDES. Superman was depicted as emaciated and breathing from an oxygen tank, demonstrating that no-one is beyond the reach of the disease, and it can destroy the lives of everyone.[32]

Merchandising
  • Sunnyland Refining Co., in 1981, marketed jars of creamy and crunchy peanut butter using the familiar image of Superman. In the 50th anniversary publication Fifty Who Made DC Great, it was noted that this was DC's first licensing deal for a brand of food. Soon he had his own hot cocoa mix in 1983.[33]
  • A Superman pinball machine was produced by Atari in 1979.[34]
  • Superman is part of the DC Deckbuilding Game by Cryptozoic Entertainment.

Recurring cast

Many live-action actors have made appearances across multiple works in the franchise. V indicates a voice-only role.

Actor Serial films
(1948–1950)		 Superman and the Mole Men
(1951)		 The Adventures of Superman
(1952–1958)		 Salkind series
(1978–1987)		 Superboy
(1988–1992)		 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
(1994–1998)		 DC Animated Universe
(1992–2019)		 Smallville
(2000–2010)		 Superman Returns
(2006)		 Superman: Doomsday
(2007)		 DC Extended Universe
(2013–2023)		 Arrowverse
(2012–)		 DC Super Hero Girls
(2016)
Kirk Alyn Superman Sam Lane
Noel Neill Lois Lane Ella Lane Alexis Gertrude Vanderworth
George Reeves Superman Superman
Phyllis Coates Lois Lane Ella Lane
Jack Larson Jimmy Olsen Lou Lamont Bo the bartender
Marlon Brando Jor-El Jor-El
Christopher Reeve Superman Dr. Virgil Swann
Margot Kidder Lois Lane Bridgette Crosby
Marc McClure Jimmy Olsen Dax-Ur Officer Ben Sadowsky
Officer Jerry
Terrence Stamp General Zod Jor-El
Sarah Douglas Ursa Jinda Kol Rozz
Annette O'Toole Lana Lang Martha Kent
Helen Slater Supergirl Talia al GhulV Lara-El Eliza Danvers Martha KentV
Jon Cryer Lenny Luthor Lex Luthor
Gilbert Gottfried Nick Knack Mister MxyzptlkV
Sherman Howard Lex Luthor
Warren Eckworth		 SteppenwolfV
PreserverV
Derek PowersV
Kevin Conroy BatmanV Batman (Earth-99)
Mark Hamill JokerV
TricksterV		 Trickster
Tara Strong BatgirlV
Saturn GirlV		 Harley QuinnV
Adam West Jerry Retchen Gray GhostV
Dean Cain Superman Dr. Curtis Knox Jeremiah Danvers Johnathan KentV
Teri Hatcher Lois Lane Ella Lane Rhea
Clancy Brown Lex LuthorV General Wade Eiling
Michael Ironside DarkseidV Sam Lane Lewis Snart
Michael Rosenbaum Lex Luthor
Carl Lumbly J'onn J'onzzV M'yrnn J'onzz
Phil Lamarr Jon StewartV Malefic J'onzz
JK Simmons General Wade EilingV Commissioner Gordon
Tom Welling Clark Kent Clark Kent
Erica Durance Lois Lane Lois Lane
Alura Zor-El
James Marsters Brainiac Lex LuthorV
Laura Vandervoort Supergirl Brainiac 8
Amy Adams Jodi Melville Lois Lane
Peyton List Lucy Lane Golden Glider
Lynda Carter Moira Sullivan Asteria Olivia Marsdin
Brandon Routh Superman Ray Palmer
Superman
Ezra Miller The Flash The Flash

Notes
  1. The actor’s likeness was digitally recreated for a cameo appearance in The Flash using CGI. Cavill filmed additional scenes as the character for the film, but they were removed during post-production.
  1. Nobleman, Marc. ""By special arrangement with the Jerry Siegel family" explained". Noblemania. Blogger. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  2. "Soaky Superman and Tennessee Tuxedo". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  3. "Cartoon Records for the Kenner Talking Show Projector". Retrieved 2021-02-23.
  4. Harvey, James (August 24, 2023). ""Justice League x RWBY, Part Two" Animated Film Hits Oct. 2023". The World's Finest. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  5. Sands, Rich (January 18, 2016). "Roll Call: Meet the Cast of Justice League vs. Teen Titans". TVInsider.com. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
  6. Perry, Spencer (July 26, 2016). "Justice League Dark Featurette Reveals Matt Ryan Returns as Constantine!". Superhero Hype.
  7. Vejvoda, Jim (November 15, 2016). "JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK: TRAILER DEBUT FOR R-RATED DC ANIMATED MOVIE".
  8. "サイト名". dc-taka.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  9. Lovell, Kevin (July 27, 2023). "'Scooby-Doo! And Krypto, Too!' Trailer, Artwork & Release Details; Arrives On Digital & DVD September 26, 2023 From Warner Bros". screen-connections.com. Retrieved July 27, 2023.
  10. wintery-star (September 6, 2022). "blaaargh - Looks like in 2021 Digital eMation was working on..." Tumblr. Retrieved July 29, 2023.
  11. +Brandon_Tenold. "Brandon Tenold: Turkish Superman". Channel Awesome.
  12. Marston, George (April 5, 2019). "SHAZAM! Director Talks Sequel Plans, DCEU Connections (SPOILERS)". Retrieved April 7, 2019 – via newsarama.com.
  13. Gajewski, Ryan (December 14, 2022). "Henry Cavill on Not Returning as Superman: "This News Isn't the Easiest"". The Hollywood Reporter.
  14. "Superman: Warner Bros pitching to directors for live action Red Son movie". Den of Geek. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  15. Sneider, Jeff (May 19, 2021). "Exclusive: Michael B. Jordan Developing His Own Black Superman Project for HBO Max". Collider. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  16. @Collider (23 July 2021). "Update: Sources have since reached out to clarify that @MichaelB4Jordan's Black Superman project about Val-Zod is,…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  17. Wahlgren, Kari (July 6, 2023). "Sneak peek! 🦸🏻‍♂️ I play Ma Kent and Young Clark in the new "My Adventures with Superman" series. Looking forward to the premiere!". www.instagram.com. Retrieved July 7, 2023.
  18. "MY ADVENTURES WITH SUPERMAN: Family-Friendly Animated Series Flies To HBO Max And Cartoon Network". May 20, 2021.
  19. Hibberd, James (May 19, 2021). "Batman Animated Series from J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves Coming to HBO Max". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  20. "Official Trailer Released for Genndy Tartakovsky's Newest Animated Series, "Unicorn: Warriors Eternal"". Warner Bros. Discovery. 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  21. Mitovich, Matt Webb (April 6, 2023). "My Adventures With Superman Eyes Summer Release Date — Watch Teaser Trailer for Animated Series". TVLine. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  22. Mitovich, Matt Webb (June 5, 2023). "My Adventures With Superman Gets Adult Swim and Max Release Dates". TVLine. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  23. "The World's Finest - Superman: The Animated Series". dcanimated.com. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  24. "The DC Animation Resource". The World's Finest.
  25. "EXCLUSIVE – SUPERMAN/BATMAN: Series That Could Have Been". Voices From Krypton. July 11, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  26. "Creator Talks About His Never-Made "Superman Family" Animated Series". Superman Homepage. April 23, 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  27. "Superman Day! – 1940". Superman Through the Ages. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  28. "David Herbert:Biography", Saatchi Gallery. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  29. Velasco, David. "Miami vices", Artforum, 8 December 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  30. "The Hague Sculpture", denhaagsculptuur.com, 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  31. Walt Disney Comics Digest #23, July 1970, "The Printing Park"
  32. DiPaolo, Marc (2011). War, Politics and Superheroes: Ethics and Propaganda In Comics and Film. McFarland & Company. p. 14. ISBN 978-0-7864-8579-6.
  33. Marx, Barry, Cavalieri, Joey and Hill, Thomas (w), Petruccio, Steven (a), Marx, Barry (ed). "Superman Peanut Butter Brand Licensing Pioneered" Fifty Who Made DC Great, p. 52 (1985). DC Comics.
  34. "The Internet Pinball Machine Database". Ipdb.org. Retrieved 2011-03-12.

References
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