Superman (franchise)

Last updated
Adaptations of Superman in other media
Superman S symbol.svg
Official logo
Created by
Original sourceComics published by DC Comics
First appearance Action Comics #1 (April 1938)
Films and television
Film(s)
Television
show(s)
Theatrical presentations
Musical(s) It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman (1966)
Audio presentations
Radio show(s)

The character Superman, first appearing American comic books 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.

Contents

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

Animated film

Live-action film

Canceled Superman live-action films

Television

Live-action

Animated television

Canceled Superman animated series

Video games

Superman in the trailer of MultiVersus Superman in MultiVersus trailer 2.png
Superman in the trailer of MultiVersus

Theatre and live performances

Literature and printed media

Newspaper

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 Superman Escape Ride2.JPG
Superman Escape at Warner Bros. Movie World

Art

Parodies

Superman depicted as stricken by AIDS, in an awareness campaign Superman in AIDES campaign.jpg
Superman depicted as stricken by AIDS, in an awareness campaign

Merchandising

Casting tradition

There is a tradition of past Superman actors returning for new works in the franchise. [41] The first instance in live action was Noel Niell, who played Lois Lane in the serial films, reprising the role in the first TV series. Niell is also one of three Lois actresses to have subsequently played Lois' mother Ella. Aside from reappearances by actors, Christopher Reeve's son Will Reeve appears in the 2025 film as a tribute to his father. Below is a table showing actors who have made appearances across multiple live-action works that feature unobscured Superman characters.

Actor Superman
Atom Man vs. Superman
(1948, 1950)		 Superman and the Mole Men
Adventures of Superman
Stamp Day
Kellogg’s ads
Funny Boners
I Love Lucy
(1951–1958)		 It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman!
(1975)		 Superman
The Muppet Show
II
Glico ads
III
Supergirl
Kenner ads
IV
(1978–1987)		 Superboy
(1988–1992)		 Seinfeld media
(1989–1998, 2004)		 Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman
(1993–1997)		 Steel
(1997)		 Smallville
(2001–2011)		 Superman Returns
(2006)		 Man of Steel
Carl's Jr. ads
Batman V Superman
Justice League
Black Adam
The Flash
(2013–2023)		 Arrow
The Flash
Legends of Tomorrow
Supergirl
Batwoman
(2012–2021)		 Powerless
(2017)		 Titans
Doom Patrol
(2018–2021)		 Krypton
(2019–2020)		 Superman & Lois
(2021–2024)		 Superman
Supergirl
(2025, 2026)
Kirk Alyn SupermanSam Lane
Noel Neill Lois LaneElla LaneAlexisTouristGertrude Vanderworth
Pierre Watkin Perry WhiteHarry Green
Airline Official
Admiral
Sir Lancelot
Herbert Rawlinson GrahamRozan
George Reeves SupermanSuperman (alternate) A
Phyllis Coates Lois LaneElla Lane
Jack Larson Jimmy OlsenTrain passengerLou LamontElderly manJimmy Olsen O Bo the bartender
Kenneth Mars Max MenckenGrant Gendell
Marlon Brando Jor-ElJor-El A S
Glenn Ford Jonathan KentJonathan Kent V A
Christopher Reeve SupermanDr. Virgil SwannSuperman (alternate) S
Margot Kidder Lois LaneBridgette Crosby
Marc McClure Jimmy OlsenDax-UrOfficer Ben Sadowsky
Jerry		Emily's father
Terence Stamp General ZodJor-El V
Sarah Douglas UrsaJinda Kol Rozz
Annette O'Toole Lana LangMartha Kent
Helen Slater SupergirlBecky GelkeLara-ElSupergirl (alternate) S Eliza Danvers
Jon Cryer Lenny LuthorLex Luthor
Paula Marshall Christina RileySharon
Sherman Howard Lex Luthor
Warren Eckworth		Roy
Adam West Jerry RetchenBatman (alternate) A Chairman West
Charles Napier Sailin' WhalenColonel David
Dean Cain SupermanDr. Curtis KnoxJeremiah Danvers
Teri Hatcher Sidra HollandLois LaneElla LaneRhea
Michael McKean Dr. Fabian LeekPerry White
Cress Williams Baron SundayBlack Lightning
Michael Ironside Sam LaneLewis Snart
Peyton List Lucy LaneGolden Glider
Joe Morton Steven HamiltonSilas Stone
Tom Welling Clark Kent
Jor-El Y
Bizarro
Ultraman		Clark Kent (alternate)
Erica Durance Lois LaneLois Lane (alternate)
Alura Zor-El
Noel Neill
Laura Vandervoort SupergirlBrainiac 8
Amy Adams Jodi MelvilleLois Lane
Michael Cassidy Grant GabrielJimmy Olsen
Lynda Carter Moira SullivanOlivia Marsdin
Sam Witwer DoomsdayBenjamin Lockwood
Alan Ritchson AquamanHawk (alternate) A Hawk
Phil Morris Martian ManhunterSilas Stone
Alessandro Juliani Dr. Emil HamiltonOfficer Sekowsky
Brent Stait Dr. FateDr. Fate V A
Brandon Routh SupermanRay Palmer
Superman (alternate)
David Ramsey John DiggleJohn Diggle
Grant Gustin The FlashThe Flash (alternate) A
Jenna Dewan Lucy LaneLucy Lane
Jason Mamoa AquamanLobo
Tyler Hoechlin SupermanSuperman
Bizarro
Elizabeth Tulloch Lois LaneLois Lane
Tom Cavanagh Harrison Wells
Eobard Thawne
Pariah		Gordon Godfrey
Alan Tudyk Van WayneRobot 4 V
Curran Walters Jason Todd (alternate) A Jason Todd
Staz Nair William DeyDax-Baron
Colin Salmon Walter SteeleGeneral Zod
Nikolai WitschlCaleb
Jo Gunraf		Milton "Brainiac" Fine

See also

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. ↑ "Soaky Superman and Tennessee Tuxedo". YouTube. 7 October 2014. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Cartoon Records for the Kenner Talking Show Projector". Retrieved 2021-02-23.
  3. ↑ Harvey, James (August 24, 2023). ""Justice League x RWBY, Part Two" Animated Film Hits Oct. 2023". The World's Finest. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 "Superman / Clark Kent / Kal-El Voices (Superman)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 22, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  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. ↑ "Superman / Hernan Guerra / Lor-Zod Voice - Justice League: Gods and Monsters (Movie)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 22, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  9. ↑ "サイト名". dc-taka.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  10. 1 2 3 "Superman (Young) Voices (Superman)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 22, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  11. ↑ Harvey, James (2023-11-22). ""Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths" Trilogy Teaser Trailer Released". The World's Finest. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
  12. ↑ 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.
  13. ↑ "soranatus - Looks like in 2021 Digital eMation was working on a Scooby-Doo Meets Krypto DTV..." Tumblr. September 6, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  14. ↑ +Brandon_Tenold. "Brandon Tenold: Turkish Superman". Channel Awesome.
  15. ↑ Marston, George (April 5, 2019). "SHAZAM! Director Talks Sequel Plans, DCEU Connections (SPOILERS)". Archived from the original on April 7, 2019. Retrieved April 7, 2019– via newsarama.com.
  16. ↑ Gajewski, Ryan (December 14, 2022). "Henry Cavill on Not Returning as Superman: "This News Isn't the Easiest"". The Hollywood Reporter .
  17. ↑ Kroll, Justin (June 27, 2023). "Superman: Legacy: James Gunn Taps David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan To Play Clark Kent And Lois Lane In DC Studios Film". Deadline. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  18. ↑ "Superman: Warner Bros pitching to directors for live action Red Son movie". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on June 30, 2017. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  19. ↑ Otterson, Joe (October 28, 2019). "Superman and Lois Starring Tyler Hoechlin, Elizabeth Tulloch in the Works at CW". Variety. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  20. ↑ Sneider, Jeff (July 23, 2021). "Exclusive: Michael B. Jordan Developing His Own Black Superman Project for HBO Max". Collider . Archived from the original on July 23, 2021. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  21. ↑ Fleming Jr., Mike (October 26, 2021). "Michael B. Jordan's 'Val Zod' Superhero Project Lands Darnell Metayer & Josh Peters To Adapt For HBO Max". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Baby Kal-El Voice - Superman: The Animated Series". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved December 22, 2024. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
  23. ↑ 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.
  24. ↑ "MY ADVENTURES WITH SUPERMAN: Family-Friendly Animated Series Flies To HBO Max And Cartoon Network". May 20, 2021.
  25. ↑ 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.
  26. ↑ "Official Trailer Released for Genndy Tartakovsky's Newest Animated Series, "Unicorn: Warriors Eternal"". Warner Bros. Discovery. 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
  27. ↑ 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.
  28. ↑ Mitovich, Matt Webb (June 5, 2023). "My Adventures With Superman Gets Adult Swim and Max Release Dates". TVLine . Retrieved June 5, 2023.
  29. 1 2 3 "The DC Animation Resource". The World's Finest.
  30. ↑ "EXCLUSIVE – SUPERMAN/BATMAN: Series That Could Have Been". Voices From Krypton. July 11, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  31. ↑ "Creator Talks About His Never-Made "Superman Family" Animated Series". Superman Homepage. April 23, 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  32. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (November 18, 2021). "New fighter MultiVersus is Smash Bros. but with Bugs Bunny, Batman, and Game of Thrones". Polygon. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  33. ↑ "Superman Day! – 1940". Superman Through the Ages. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  34. ↑ "David Herbert:Biography", Saatchi Gallery. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  35. ↑ Velasco, David. "Miami vices", Artforum , 8 December 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  36. ↑ "The Hague Sculpture" [ permanent dead link ], denhaagsculptuur.com, 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  37. ↑ Walt Disney Comics Digest #23, July 1970, "The Printing Park"
  38. ↑ DiPaolo, Marc (2011). War, Politics and Superheroes: Ethics and Propaganda In Comics and Film. McFarland & Company. p.  14. ISBN   978-0-7864-8579-6.
  39. ↑ 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.
  40. ↑ "The Internet Pinball Machine Database". Ipdb.org. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
  41. ↑ "Scene Steelers: 16 Actors Who Appeared Multiple Times In The On-Screen Superman Franchise". CBR. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 28 May 2025.

References

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