Superman (franchise)
This article needs additional citations for verification. (June 2008) |
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.
Portrayals
Among the actors who have played Superman / Superboy (and/or his alter ego, Clark Kent) are:
Portrayed by
- Unidentified actor (1940)
- Mayo Kaan (circa 1940)
- Fleischer Studios model for the original Superman short
- Karol Krauser (1941)
- Fleischer Studios promotional model for the Superman shorts
- Kirk Alyn (1948–1950)
- George Reeves (1951–1958, 2023)
- Superman and the Mole Men
- Adventures of Superman
- Stamp Day for Superman
- The Flash (cameo, archive footage)
- Johnny Rockwell (1961)
- Bob Holiday (1966–1968)
- David Wilson (1975)
- Christopher Reeve (1978–1987, 2006, 2023)
- Superman
- Superman II
- Superman III
- Superman IV: The Quest For Peace
- The Flash (cameo, archive footage)
- John Haymes Newton (1988–1989)
- Gerard Christopher (1989–1992)
- Ron Ely (1991)
- Dean Cain (1993–1997)
- Tom Welling (2001–2011, 2019)
- Brandon Routh (2006, 2019/2020)
- Matt Bomer (2009)
- Toyota Prius (commercial)
- Henry Cavill (2013–2023)
- Tyler Hoechlin (2016–present)
- Nicolas Cage (2023)
- The Flash (cameo)
Voice only
- Bud Collyer (1940–49, 1966–69)
- Allen Swift (1965)
- Soaky commercial[1]
- Bob Hastings (1966–1969)
- The New Adventures of Superman (in The Adventures of Superboy segments)
- Lennie Weinrib (1970, 1972)
- Gary Owens (1971)
- Kenner Talking Show Projector record[2]
- Danny Dark (1973–1986)
- Steve Hudson (1980)
- Never Say Yes to a Cigarette anti-smoking commercials
- Beau Weaver (1988–1989)
- Jonathan Winters (1992)
- Eric Goldberg (1996)
- Tim Daly (1996–2000, 2002, 2006, 2009–12)
- Christopher McDonald (2000)
- George Newbern (2001–08, 2010, 2012–13, 2017–19, 2022)
- Jeff Kramer (2002)
- Michael Daingerfield (2005)
- Crispin Freeman (2006)
- Yuri Lowenthal (2006–2008)
- Brandon Routh (2006)
- Adam Baldwin (2007, 2011)
- Superman: Doomsday
- DC Universe Online
- Kyle MacLachlan (2008)
- Christopher Corey Smith (2008)
- Joseph May (2009)
- David Lodge (2009)
- Mark Harmon (2010)
- Matthew Mercer (2010)
- Nolan North (2010–present)
- Young Justice
- Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered
- Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League
- Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Attack of the Legion of Doom
- Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League – Gotham City Breakout
- Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash
- Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Aquaman – Rage of Atlantis
- Lego DC: Shazam!: Magic and Monsters
- Batman: Death in the Family
- Justice League: Cosmic Chaos
- David Kaye (2010)
- DC Super Friends: The Joker's Playhouse
- James Denton (2011)
- Roger Rose (2011)
- Breckin Meyer (2012–2015)
- Blair Underwood (2012)
- Jeff Bennett (2012)
- Superman of Tokyo
- Keith Ferguson (2012)
- Travis Willingham (2012, 2014–2015, 2018, 2022, 2023)
- Mark Valley (2013)
- Matt Bomer (2013)
- Sam Daly (2013)
- Channing Tatum (2014–2019)
- Peter Jessop (2014)
- Alan Tudyk (2014)
- Jerry O'Connell (2015–2020)
- Benjamin Bratt (2015)
- Jason J. Lewis (2016–2018)
- Kenichi Suzumura (2017)
- DC Super Heroes vs. Eagle Talon
- Nicolas Cage (2018)
- Max Mittelman (2019)
- Jason Isaacs (2020)
- Darren Criss (2020-present)
- Justin Hartley (2021)
- John Krasinski (2022)
- Chandler Riggs (2023)
- Jack Quaid (2023-present)
Radio and audio
- 1940s: The Adventures of Superman – radio series starring Bud Collyer and Joan Alexander
- 1966: The Adventures of Superman – vinyl LP featuring Bob Holiday as Superman
- 1970s–1980s: various Superman-related vinyl albums from Peter Pan Records
- 1993: Superman Lives! – BBC Radio Light Entertainment, BBC Radio 5; Superman is voiced by Stuart Milligan
- 1995: DC Comics Super Heroes – Attack of the Elementals – audio drama featuring the Justice League; Superman is voiced by David Earl Waterman
- 2008: The Never-Ending Battle – Graphic Audio; Superman voiced by James Konicek[citation needed]
Film
Animated film
- 1941–1943: Fleischer Studios/Famous Studios' Superman theatrical cartoon – series of 17 shorts initially starring Bud Collyer.
- 1945: She-Sick Sailors (cameo) – as comic book. Olive Oyl's seen reading the Superman comics. The rest of this Popeye short is then a parody of Superman.
- 1992: Tiny Toon Adventures: How I Spent My Vacation – direct-to-video, featuring Jonathan Winters as Superman.
- 1999: The Iron Giant (cameo) – as comic book.
- 2006: Superman: Brainiac Attacks – direct-to-video film utilizing character designs from Superman: The Animated Series; starring Tim Daly.
- 2007: Superman: Doomsday – direct-to-video film featuring Adam Baldwin as Superman.
- 2008: Justice League: The New Frontier – direct-to-video film featuring Kyle MacLachlan as Superman.
- 2009: Superman/Batman: Public Enemies – direct-to-video film with Tim Daly reprising his role from various DC media.
- 2010: Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths – direct-to-video film, Superman is voiced by Mark Harmon.
- 2010: Superman/Batman: Apocalypse – direct-to-video film, Tim Daly reprises his role as Superman once again.
- 2010: Superman/Shazam!: The Return of Black Adam – direct-to-video short featuring George Newbern as Superman.
- 2011: All-Star Superman – direct-to-video film featuring James Denton as Superman.
- 2012: Justice League: Doom – direct-to-video film featuring Tim Daly as Superman.
- 2012: Superman vs. The Elite – direct-to-video film featuring George Newbern as Superman.
- 2013: Batman: The Dark Knight Returns – direct-to-video two-part adaption of the graphic novel featuring Mark Valley as Superman only in the second part.
- 2013: Superman: Unbound – direct-to-video film featuring Matt Bomer as Superman.
- 2013: Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite – direct-to-video film featuring Travis Willingham as Superman.
- 2013: Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox – direct-to-video film featuring Tim Daly's son, Sam Daly, as Superman.
- 2013: Superman 75th Anniversary – animated short by Zack Snyder and Bruce Timm created as a celebration of 75 years of the character, later reused for the character's 80th anniversary.
- 2014: The Lego Movie – Animated film featuring Channing Tatum as Superman.
- 2014: JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time – direct-to-video film featuring Peter Jessop as Superman.
- 2014: Justice League: War – direct-to-video film featuring Alan Tudyk as Superman.
- 2014: Lego DC Comics: Batman Be-Leaguered – TV special featuring Nolan North as Superman.
- 2015: Justice League: Throne of Atlantis – direct-to-video film featuring Jerry O'Connell as Superman.
- 2015: Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League vs. Bizarro League – direct-to-video film featuring Nolan North as Superman.
- 2015: Justice League: Gods and Monsters – direct-to-video film featuring a reimagined version of Superman voiced by Benjamin Bratt.
- 2015: Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Attack of the Legion of Doom – direct-to-video film with Nolan North reprising his role as Superman.
- 2016: Lego DC Comics Super Heroes: Justice League: Cosmic Clash – direct-to-video film with Nolan North reprising his role.
- 2016: Justice League vs. Teen Titans – direct-to-video film with Jerry O'Connell reprising his role.[4]
- 2017: Justice League Dark – direct-to-video film with Jerry O'Connell reprising his role.[5][6]
- 2017: The Lego Batman Movie – animated film featuring Superman with Channing Tatum reprising his role.
- 2017: DC Super Heroes vs. Eagle Talon – animated film featuring Kenichi Suzumura as the voice of Superman.[7]
- 2018: The Death of Superman – direct-to-video film featuring Jerry O'Connell as Superman.
- 2018: Teen Titans Go! To the Movies – animated film featuring Nicolas Cage as the voice of Superman.
- 2019: Reign of the Supermen – direct-to-video film featuring Jerry O'Connell as Superman.
- 2019: The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part – animated film featuring Superman with Channing Tatum reprising his role.
- 2019: Justice League vs. the Fatal Five – animated film featuring George Newbern as Superman.
- 2019: Batman: Hush – direct-to-video film featuring Jerry O'Connell as Superman.
- 2020: Superman: Red Son – direct-to-video film featuring Jason Isaacs as Superman.
- 2020: Justice League Dark: Apokolips War – direct-to-video film featuring Jerry O'Connell as Superman.
- 2020: Superman: Man of Tomorrow – animated film featuring Darren Criss as the voice of Superman.
- 2020: Batman: Death in the Family – direct-to-video interactive film featuring Superman with Nolan North reprising his role.
- 2021: Justice Society: World War II – direct-to-video film featuring Superman with Darren Criss reprising his role.
- 2021: Space Jam: A New Legacy – non-speaking animated appearance.
- 2021: Injustice – direct-to-video film featuring Justin Hartley as Superman.
- 2022: DC League of Super-Pets – animated film featuring John Krasinski as the voice of Superman.
- 2022: Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons – direct-to-video film featuring Superman with Travis Willingham reprising his role.
- 2023: Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! – direct-to-video crossover film, where Superman is again voiced by Nolan North.[8] Additionally, the Legion of Super Heroes (2006) incarnation of the character makes a non-speaking cameo appearance.[9]
- 2024: Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One, voiced by Darren Criss.[10]
Live-action film
- 1948: Superman – a 15-chapter serial starring Kirk Alyn and Noel Neill.
- 1950: Atom Man vs. Superman – a 15-chapter serial starring Alyn, Neill, and Lyle Talbot.
- 1951: Superman and the Mole Men – feature film, starring George Reeves and Phyllis Coates.
- 1954: Stamp Day for Superman – short film featuring George Reeves and Noel Neill promoting Stamp Day for the U.S. Treasury.
- 1978: Superman – directed by Richard Donner and starring Christopher Reeve, Marlon Brando, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, Ned Beatty, and Valerie Perrine.
- 1979: The Return of Superman (also known as "Turkish Superman") is an adaptation of Superman from Turkey.[11]
- 1980: Superman II – directed by Richard Lester and starring Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, and Terence Stamp.
- 1983: Superman III – directed by Richard Lester and starring Christopher Reeve, Richard Pryor, Annette O'Toole, and Robert Vaughn.
- 1984: Supergirl – spin-off directed by Jeannot Szwarc and starring Helen Slater, Faye Dunaway, and Marc McClure (reprising his role of Jimmy Olsen from the Reeve features). Superman is seen on a poster.
- 1987: Superman IV: The Quest for Peace – directed by Sidney J. Furie and starring Christopher Reeve, Gene Hackman, Margot Kidder, Jon Cryer, and Mariel Hemingway.
- 2006: Superman Returns – directed by Bryan Singer and starring Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth, Kevin Spacey, and James Marsden.
- 2006: Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut – New edit of Superman II, featuring around 80% new footage originally shot by director Richard Donner, including material featuring Marlon Brando.
- 2013: Man of Steel – directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, and Michael Shannon.
- 2016: Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice – directed by Zack Snyder, the film is a sequel to Man of Steel featuring the first meeting between Superman (Henry Cavill) and Batman (Ben Affleck). Also starring Amy Adams, Jesse Eisenberg, Diane Lane, Laurence Fishburne, Jeremy Irons, Holly Hunter, and Gal Gadot.
- 2017: Justice League – directed by Zack Snyder, this film is a follow-up to Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. Cavill reprised his role as Superman. Also starring Ben Affleck, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, and Ray Fisher.
- 2019: Shazam! – directed by David F. Sandberg, the film features Superman in a cameo at the end; he was portrayed in a brief role by stunt double Ryan Hadley.[12]
- 2021: Zack Snyder's Justice League – Director's cut of Justice League, directed by Zack Snyder and starring Henry Cavill as Superman.
- 2022: Black Adam – directed by Jaume Collet-Serra, the film features Superman in a cameo at the end; Henry Cavill reprised his role as Superman for the last time.[13]
- 2023: The Flash – The DC Extended Universe version of Superman appears in The Flash, where he can be seen attempting to contain the spread of an active volcano in a news report segment which was played on a television inside a cafe during the film's opening sequence. He also later appeared alongside the other members of the Justice League during the time travel Chronobowl sequence.
- 2025: Superman – directed by James Gunn, the film features David Corenswet in the lead role as Superman
Canceled Superman live-action films
- In 2017, Jordan Vogt-Roberts pitched a Red Son adaptation to Warner Brothers, as an "offshoot" of the DC Extended Universe with different actors for Superman and Batman, but "was told no". Mark Millar responded by saying that two friends of his had been approached by WB to direct a live-action Red Son.[14] An animated film ultimately came out in 2020 as part of the DC Universe Animated Original Movies.
Television
Live-action
Adventures of Superman
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
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
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
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
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
The series premiered March 21, 2018 on Syfy and ended August 14, 2019. It primarily focuses on Superman's grandfather.
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
Superman made an appearance in the Peacemaker season finale episode "It's Cow or Never" portrayed by a stand-in.
Untitled Superman series
In July 2021, it was reported that Michael B. Jordan is developing, producing and starring as Val-Zod in a limited series for HBO Max.[15][16]
Animated television
- 1966–1969: Superman series by Filmation – Bud Collyer as Superman and Bob Hastings as Superboy.
- 1966: The New Adventures of Superman
- 1967: The Superman-Aquaman Hour of Adventure – included three Justice League of America shorts (also featuring Collyer as Superman)
- 1968–1969: The Batman-Superman Hour
- 1970: Lennie Weinrib voices Superman in a Sesame Street sketch for a lecture of words beginning with "S" which happens to be the character's favorite letter of the alphabet.
- 1972: Clark Kent / Superman and Lois Lane both appear in The Brady Kids episode "Cindy's Super Friend".
- 1973–1985: Super Friends series produced by Hanna-Barbera; Danny Dark as Superman.
- 1988: Superman – TV series based on the "new" DC Comics Superman; produced by Ruby-Spears; starring Beau Weaver and Ginny McSwain. Animated by Toei Animation, Japan.
- 1996: Superman: The Animated Series – TV series, voiced by Tim Daly.
- 2005: Krypto the Superdog – TV series; Superman voiced by Michael Daingerfield (appears in episode one).
- 2006–2008: Legion of Super Heroes – featuring Yuri Lowenthal as Superman.
- 2007–2008: The Batman – Superman is featured in the two-part season five premiere, "The Batman/Superman Story" and the two-part series finale, "Lost Heroes"; George Newbern reprises the role.
- 2010–2022: Young Justice – features Nolan North as Superman.
- 2012: Mad – when their fellow heroes feel under-appreciated, they appeal to Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman about being called "Super Friends".
- 2012–2015: Robot Chicken – specials, featuring Breckin Meyer as Superman.
- 2016–2018: Justice League Action – series featuring a rotating cast of Justice League members including Superman played by Jason J. Lewis.
- 2019–2021: DC Super Hero Girls – featuring Max Mittelman as Superman.
- 2019: Harley Quinn – featuring James Wolk as Superman.
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
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 Earth-17 (Overman), 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
- 1978: Superman by Atari for the Atari 2600
- 1984: Superman III for the Atari 8-bit computers (unreleased)
- 1985: Superman: The Game by First Star Software for the Commodore 64
- 1987: Superman by Kemco for the Nintendo Entertainment System
- 1988: Superman: Man of Steel by Tynesoft for the Commodore 64
- 1988: Superman by Taito; Arcade game
- 1992: Superman: The Man of Steel by Virgin Interactive for the Master System
- 1992: Superman by Sunsoft for the Genesis
- 1994/1995: The Death and Return of Superman by Sunsoft for the Super NES and Genesis
- 1995: Justice League Task Force by Acclaim for the Super NES and Genesis
- 1998: Superman by Titus for the Game Boy
- 1999: Superman by Titus for the Nintendo 64
- 1999: The Multipath Adventures of Superman: Menace of Metallo by Brilliant Digital for PC (Windows 95/98)
- 2002: Superman: The Man of Steel by Infogrames/Atari for the Xbox
- 2002: Justice League: Injustice for All by Midway for the Game Boy Advance; Superman is a playable character
- 2002/2003: Superman: Shadow of Apokolips by Infogrames/Atari for the PlayStation 2 and GameCube
- 2003: Superman: Countdown to Apokolips by Infogrames/Atari for the Game Boy Advance
- 2003: Justice League: Chronicles by Midway for the Game Boy Advance; Superman is a playable character
- 2005: Justice League TV Games unit by Jakks Pacific; Superman is playable in some games, non–playable in others
- 2006: Superman: The Greatest Hero by VTech for the V.Smile system
- 2006: Superman TV Games unit by Jakks Pacific (five different games)
- 2006: Justice League Heroes by Eidos for the PlayStation 2, Xbox and PlayStation Portable; Superman is a playable character, and is voiced by Crispin Freeman
- 2006: Superman Returns by Electronic Arts for the PlayStation 2, Xbox & Xbox 360 featuring voices from the cast of the film
- 2006: Superman Returns by Electronic Arts for the Nintendo DS
- 2006: Superman Returns: Fortress of Solitude by Electronic Arts for the Game Boy Advance
- 2008: Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe by Midway for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
- 2011: DC Universe Online by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 3 and Microsoft Windows
- 2012: Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes by Traveller's Tales for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
- 2013: Injustice: Gods Among Us by NetherRealm Studios for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, Windows, PlayStation Vita, and PlayStation 4
- 2013/2014: Scribblenauts Unmasked: A DC Comics Adventure by 5th Cell for Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
- 2013: Young Justice: Legacy by Freedom Factory Studios for the Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows
- 2014: The Lego Movie Videogame by Traveller's Tales for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
- 2014: Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham by Traveller's Tales for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
- 2015: Lego Dimensions by Traveller's Tales for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Wii U, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360
- 2017: Injustice 2 by NetherRealm Studios for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One
- 2018: DC Unchained by FourThirtyThree for Android
- 2018: Lego DC Super-Villains by Traveller's Tales for the PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and Microsoft Windows.
- 2022: MultiVersus by Player First Games for the Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One; Superman is a playable character, and is reprised by George Newbern from various DC media.
- 2023: Justice League: Cosmic Chaos by Outright Games for the Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S and Nintendo Switch; Superman is a playable character, and is reprised by Nolan North from various DC media.
Theatre and live performances
- 1940: New York World's Fair – Broadway actor Ray Middleton played the Man of Steel in his first public appearance on July 3 for "Superman Day"[27]
- 1966: "It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman" – a Broadway musical; lyrics by Lee Adams, music by Charles Strouse; starring Bob Holiday and Jack Cassidy
- 2010: "The History of Invulnerability" – a play about the creation of Superman and the childhood of one of his creators: Joe Shuster
- 2012: "Holy Musical B@man!", a parody musical done by internet theatre troupe StarKid Productions featured Superman portrayed by actor Brian Holden.
Literature and printed media
- 1942: The Adventures of Superman by George Lowther
- 1971: Man of Steel, Woman of Kleenex by Larry Niven
- 1978: Last Son of Krypton by Elliot S! Maggin
- 1981: Miracle Monday by Elliot S! Maggin
- 1983: Superman III (novelization) by William Kotzwinkle
- 1991: "Übermensch!" by Kim Newman
- 1993: Superman: Doomsday & Beyond by Louise Simonson, illustrated by Dan Jurgens and José Luis García-López
- 1994: The Death and Life of Superman by Roger Stern
- 1996: Lois & Clark: A Superman Novel by C. J. Cherryh
- 2005: It's Superman! by Tom De Haven
- 2005: Superman Returns (novelization), by Marv Wolfman
- 2007: The Last Days of Krypton by Kevin J. Anderson
- 2009: Enemies & Allies by Kevin J. Anderson
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 from Krypton, roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain.
- Superman: Ultimate Flight, roller coaster at Six Flags Over Georgia, Six Flags Great Adventure, and Six Flags Great America.
- Superman: Ultimate Flight, roller coaster at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom
- Superman – Ride of Steel, roller coaster at Six Flags America.
- Superman: Krypton Coaster, roller coaster at Six Flags Fiesta Texas.
- Superman el Último Escape, roller coaster at Six Flags México.
- Superman la Atracción de Acero, roller coaster at Parque Warner Madrid
- Superman Escape, roller coaster at Warner Bros. Movie World.
- Superman: Tower of Power tower ride at Six Flags Over Texas and Six Flags St. Louis.
Art
- 2007: Beautiful Superman, a sculpture by David Herbert,[28][29] exhibited in 2008 in The Hague Sculpture in The Hague.[30]
Parodies
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/9c/Superman_in_AIDES_campaign.jpg/220px-Superman_in_AIDES_campaign.jpg)
- 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
This article is missing information about recurring actors in the Superman franchise.(March 2023) |
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 (1996–2019) |
Smallville (2000–2010) |
Superman Returns (2006) |
Superman: Doomsday (2007) |
DC Extended Universe (2013–2023) |
Arrowverse (2012–2023) |
DC Super Hero Girls (2016) |
Teen Titans Go! To the Movies (2018) |
Superman & Lois (2021–2024) | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kirk Alyn | Superman | Sam Lane | ||||||||||||||
Noel Neill | Lois Lane | Ella Lane | Alexis | Gertrude Vanderworth | ||||||||||||
George Reeves | Superman | Superman (likeness) | ||||||||||||||
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 | Superman (likeness) | |||||||||||||
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 | MalaV | Jinda Kol Rozz | |||||||||||||
Annette O'Toole | Lana Lang | Martha Kent | ||||||||||||||
Helen Slater | Supergirl | Talia al GhulV | Lara-El | Supergirl (likeness) | 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 | ||||||||||||||
Adam West | Jerry Retchen | Gray GhostV | Batman (likeness) | |||||||||||||
Dean Cain | Superman | Dr. Curtis Knox | Jeremiah Danvers | Jonathan 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 | John 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 |
||||||||||||||
David Ramsey | John Diggle | John Diggle | ||||||||||||||
Jenna Dewan | Lucy Lane | Lucy Lane | ||||||||||||||
Tyler Hoechlin | Superman | Superman | ||||||||||||||
Ezra Miller | The Flash | |||||||||||||||
Elizabeth Tulloch | Lois Lane | Lois Lane | ||||||||||||||
Nicolas Cage | Superman | SupermanV |
Notes
- ^ "Soaky Superman and Tennessee Tuxedo". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2021-12-21. Retrieved January 5, 2021.
- ^ "Cartoon Records for the Kenner Talking Show Projector". Retrieved 2021-02-23.
- ^ Harvey, James (August 24, 2023). ""Justice League x RWBY, Part Two" Animated Film Hits Oct. 2023". The World's Finest. Retrieved August 25, 2023.
- ^ Sands, Rich (January 18, 2016). "Roll Call: Meet the Cast of Justice League vs. Teen Titans". TVInsider.com. Retrieved January 18, 2016.
- ^ Perry, Spencer (July 26, 2016). "Justice League Dark Featurette Reveals Matt Ryan Returns as Constantine!". Superhero Hype.
- ^ Vejvoda, Jim (November 15, 2016). "JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK: TRAILER DEBUT FOR R-RATED DC ANIMATED MOVIE".
- ^ "サイト名". dc-taka.com (in Japanese). Archived from the original on April 22, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "soranatus - Looks like in 2021 Digital eMation was working on a Scooby-Doo Meets Krypto DTV..." Tumblr. September 6, 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
- ^ Harvey, James (2023-11-22). ""Justice League: Crisis On Infinite Earths" Trilogy Teaser Trailer Released". The World's Finest. Retrieved 2023-11-25.
- ^ +Brandon_Tenold. "Brandon Tenold: Turkish Superman". Channel Awesome.
- ^ Marston, George (April 5, 2019). "SHAZAM! Director Talks Sequel Plans, DCEU Connections (SPOILERS)". Retrieved April 7, 2019 – via newsarama.com.
- ^ Gajewski, Ryan (December 14, 2022). "Henry Cavill on Not Returning as Superman: "This News Isn't the Easiest"". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ^ "Superman: Warner Bros pitching to directors for live action Red Son movie". Den of Geek. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
- ^ Sneider, Jeff (May 19, 2021). "Exclusive: Michael B. Jordan Developing His Own Black Superman Project for HBO Max". Collider. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
- ^ @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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "MY ADVENTURES WITH SUPERMAN: Family-Friendly Animated Series Flies To HBO Max And Cartoon Network". May 20, 2021.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Official Trailer Released for Genndy Tartakovsky's Newest Animated Series, "Unicorn: Warriors Eternal"". Warner Bros. Discovery. 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-03-29.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (June 5, 2023). "My Adventures With Superman Gets Adult Swim and Max Release Dates". TVLine. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ "The World's Finest – Superman: The Animated Series". dcanimated.com. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
- ^ a b c "The DC Animation Resource". The World's Finest.
- ^ "EXCLUSIVE – SUPERMAN/BATMAN: Series That Could Have Been". Voices From Krypton. July 11, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
- ^ "Creator Talks About His Never-Made "Superman Family" Animated Series". Superman Homepage. April 23, 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
- ^ "Superman Day! – 1940". Superman Through the Ages. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
- ^ "David Herbert:Biography", Saatchi Gallery. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
- ^ Velasco, David. "Miami vices", Artforum, 8 December 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
- ^ "The Hague Sculpture"[permanent dead link], denhaagsculptuur.com, 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
- ^ Walt Disney Comics Digest #23, July 1970, "The Printing Park"
- ^ DiPaolo, Marc (2011). War, Politics and Superheroes: Ethics and Propaganda In Comics and Film. McFarland & Company. p. 14. ISBN 978-0-7864-8579-6.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "The Internet Pinball Machine Database". Ipdb.org. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
References
- "O Superman: Music & comics" (by Alan Moore, The Daredevils #5, 1983)