Summary
AnArrowverseactor admitted they have one big regret about their role in The CW’s DC franchise, which recently wrapped with theSuperman and Loisfinale.
Supergirlseason 4 introduced Lex Luthor to the Arrowverse withPretty in PinkandSuperman 4: The Quest for Peaceactor Jon Cryer in the role. This incarnation of Luthor was formerly friends with Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman before their relationship dissolved over ideological differences. Eventually, Luthor was imprisoned, but after his release, he directed his animosity toward Melissa Benoist’s Supergirl. Cryer’s Luthor had a significant role inSupergirland the Arrowverse crossovers. Still, Hoechlin’sSuperman and Loisseries introduced a new Lex Luthorafter the showrunners decided to keep its continuity separate from the Arrowverse by setting the show on a different Earth.
During an interview withKJ Today, Cryer discussed his experience on the Arrowverse, expressing his fondness for the franchise’s ability to explore the DC further than other adaptations. Cryer also praised theSuperman and Loisteam, noting why he believed the series was successful. However, Cryer admitted that he regrets not being able to appear inSuperman and Lois, which castThe Walking Deadstar Michael Cudlitz as Lex Luthor:
The whole Arrowverse was just one for the nerds. I loved being a nerd. I loved reveling in it. We got into the deepest, darkest recesses of DC lore. I am sorry to see ‘Superman & Lois’ go as well, because I think that was just a fantastic new look at those characters. I think they managed to really crack it by being by being faithful to who Superman is. And my biggest regret is that I never was on it.
Superman and Loiswas initially created as part of the Arrowverse prime. Elizabeth Tulloch’s Lois Lane was introduced in theCrisis on Infinite Earthscrossover, which served as a backdoor pilot forSuperman and Lois. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced theSuperman and Loisshowrunners to scrap new crossovers with Arrowverse shows. As the series progressed, it seemingly grew further away from any Arrowverse connections until theSuperman and Loisseason 2 finaleconfirmed it exists in a separate universe.
Consequently, Cryer’s run as Lex Luthor ended withSupergirl’s sixth and final season, which aired asSuperman and Loisstarted its first. Of course, Superman and Loiswould be in a similar situation to Cryer’s after James Gunn was appointed the co-CEO of the new DC Studios. Tasked with rebooting the DC movie and TV franchise as a more interconnected universe, many projects launched before Gunn began developing his new DC Universe (DCU) were ultimately scrapped.Superman and Loisgot the axe to avoid conflicting with Gunn’s newSupermanmovie starring David Corenswet as the Man of Steel.
Gunn isn’t rebooting every past DC movie or show. Characters fromThe Suicide Squad,Peacemaker, andBlue Beetlewill return. However, the Superman universe is starting fresh, with Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor. Where Hoult’s version will rank amongthe live-action versions of Lex Luthorremains to be seen.
Supergirlis available on Netflix.
DC
DC is a brand of superhero comics, television shows, movies, video games, merchandise, and more. The company owns the rights to popular characters like Batman, The Suicide Squad, Green Arrow, Wonder Woman, and many more.
