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Superman (franchise)

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Adaptations of Superman in other media
Official logo
Created by
Original sourceComics published by DC Comics
First appearanceAction 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 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

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

Portrayed by

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Voice only

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Radio and audio

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  • Superman appears in The Adventures of Superman (1940), voiced by Bud Collyer.
  • Superman appears in The Adventures of Superman (1966), voiced by Bob Holiday.
  • Superman appears in several vinyl albums released by Peter Pan Records during the 1970s and 1980s.
  • Superman appears in the BBC radio adaptation of Superman Lives!, voiced by Stuart Milligan.
  • Superman appears in the audio drama DC Comics Super Heroes – Attack of the Elementals, voiced by David Waterman.
  • Superman appears in the audio drama The Never-Ending Battle, voiced by James Konicek.[citation needed]

Film

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Main article: Superman in film

Animated film

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Live-action film

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Canceled Superman live-action films

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Television

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Live-action

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Untitled Superman series

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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.[20][21]

Animated television

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Canceled Superman animated series

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  • 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.[29] 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.[30]
  • There were plans to make an animated series featuring Superman and Batman. It would have been an origin story.[31]
  • 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.[30]
  • In May 2018, Vinton Heuck and Sean Galloway pitched a Superman Family animated series to Warner Bros. Animation, who rejected it in favor of Harley Quinn. The characters would have included Kong Kenan, Jon Kent, Damian Wayne, Mister Mxyzptlk, and Natasha Irons/Steel, among others.[30][32]

Video games

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Main article: List of Superman video games
Superman in the trailer of MultiVersus
Superman in the trailer of MultiVersus

Theatre and live performances

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Literature and printed media

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Newspaper

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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

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Superman Escape at Warner Bros. Movie World

Art

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Parodies

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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.[38]
  • 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.[39]

Merchandising

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  • 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.[40]
  • A Superman pinball machine was produced by Atari in 1979.[41]
  • Superman is part of the DC Deckbuilding Game by Cryptozoic Entertainment.

Casting tradition

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There is a tradition of past Superman actors returning for new works in the franchise.[42] 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.

  • A indicates an appearance through archival footage or audio.
  • O indicates an older version of the character.
  • S indicates an appearance through use of special effects.
  • V indicates a voice-only role.
  • Y indicates a younger version of the character.
Actor Superman
Atom Man vs. Superman
(1948, 1950) 		Superman and the Mole Men
Adventures of Superman
Stamp Day for Superman
Funny Boners
I Love Lucy
(1951–1958) 		It’s a Bird… It’s a Plane… It’s Superman!
(1975) 		Superman
Superman II
Superman III
Supergirl
Superman 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
Batman V Superman
Justice League
Black Adam
The Flash
(2013–2023) 		Arrow
The Flash
Legends of Tomorrow
Supergirl
Batwoman
(2012–2021) 		Powerless
(2017) 		Titans
(2018–2021) 		Krypton
(2019–2020) 		Superman & Lois
(2021–2024) 		Superman
Supergirl
(2025, 2026)
Kirk Alyn Superman Sam Lane
Noel Neill Lois Lane Ella Lane Alexis Tourist Gertrude Vanderworth
Pierre Watkin Perry White Harry Green
Airline Official
Admiral
Sir Lancelot
Herbert Rawlinson Graham Rozan
George Reeves Superman Superman (alternate)A
Phyllis Coates Lois Lane Ella Lane
Jack Larson Jimmy Olsen Train passenger Lou Lamont Elderly man Jimmy OlsenO Bo the bartender
Kenneth Mars Max Mencken Grant Gendell
Marlon Brando Jor-El Jor-ElAS
Glenn Ford Jonathan Kent Jonathan KentVA
Christopher Reeve Superman Dr. Virgil Swann Superman (alternate)S
Margot Kidder Lois Lane Bridgette Crosby
Marc McClure Jimmy Olsen Dax-Ur Officer Ben Sadowsky
Jerry 		Emily's father
Terrence Stamp General Zod Jor-ElV
Sarah Douglas Ursa Jinda Kol Rozz
Annette O'Toole Lana Lang Martha Kent
Helen Slater Supergirl Becky Gelke Lara-El Supergirl (alternate)S Eliza Danvers
Jon Cryer Lenny Luthor Lex Luthor
Paula Marshall Christina Riley Sharon
Sherman Howard Lex Luthor
Warren Eckworth 		Roy
Adam West Jerry Retchen Batman (alternate)A Chairman West
Charles Napier Sailin' Whalen Colonel David
Dean Cain Superman Dr. Curtis Knox Jeremiah Danvers
Teri Hatcher Sidra Holland Lois Lane Ella Lane Rhea
Michael McKean Dr. Fabian Leek Perry White
Michael Ironside Sam Lane Lewis Snart
Peyton List Lucy Lane Golden Glider
Joe Morton Steven Hamilton Silas Stone
Tom Welling Clark Kent
Jor-ElY
Bizarro
Ultraman 		Clark Kent (alternate)
Erica Durance Lois Lane Lois Lane (alternate)
Alura Zor-El
Noel Neill
Laura Vandervoort Supergirl Brainiac 8
Amy Adams Jodi Melville Lois Lane
Michael Cassidy Grant Gabriel Jimmy Olsen
Lynda Carter Moira Sullivan Olivia Marsdin
Sam Witwer Doomsday Benjamin Lockwood
Alan Ritchson Aquaman Hawk (alternate)A Hawk
Phil Morris Martian Manhunter Silas Stone
Alessandro Juliani Dr. Emil Hamilton Officer Sekowsky
Brent Stait Dr. Fate Dr. FateVA
Brandon Routh Superman Ray Palmer
Superman (alternate)
David Ramsey John Diggle John Diggle
Grant Gustin The Flash The Flash (alternate)A
Jenna Dewan Lucy Lane Lucy Lane
Jason Mamoa Aquaman Lobo
Tyler Hoechlin Superman Superman
Bizarro
Elizabeth Tulloch Lois Lane Lois Lane
Tom Cavanagh Harrison Wells
Eobard Thawne
Pariah 		Gordon Godfrey
Alan Tudyk Van Wayne Robot 4V
Curran Walters Jason Todd (alternate)A Jason Todd
Staz Nair William Dey Dax-Baron
Nikolai Witschl Caleb
Jo Gunraf 		Milton "Brainiac" Fine

See also

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Notes

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  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. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad ae af ag ah ai aj ak al am an ao ap aq ar as at au av aw ax ay "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. ^ a b c "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)". 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 (May 19, 2021). "Exclusive: Michael B. Jordan Developing His Own Black Superman Project for HBO Max". Collider. Retrieved July 23, 2021.
  21. ^ @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.
  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. ^ "The World's Finest – Superman: The Animated Series". dcanimated.com. Retrieved 2018-12-15.
  30. ^ a b c "The DC Animation Resource". The World's Finest.
  31. ^ "EXCLUSIVE – SUPERMAN/BATMAN: Series That Could Have Been". Voices From Krypton. July 11, 2013. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  32. ^ "Creator Talks About His Never-Made "Superman Family" Animated Series". Superman Homepage. April 23, 2019. Retrieved 23 April 2019.
  33. ^ 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.
  34. ^ "Superman Day! – 1940". Superman Through the Ages. Retrieved 2010-09-13.
  35. ^ "David Herbert:Biography", Saatchi Gallery. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  36. ^ Velasco, David. "Miami vices", Artforum, 8 December 2007. Retrieved 27 March 2010.
  37. ^ "The Hague Sculpture"[permanent dead link], denhaagsculptuur.com, 2008. Retrieved 28 March 2010.
  38. ^ Walt Disney Comics Digest #23, July 1970, "The Printing Park"
  39. ^ DiPaolo, Marc (2011). War, Politics and Superheroes: Ethics and Propaganda In Comics and Film. McFarland & Company. p. 14. ISBN 978-0-7864-8579-6.
  40. ^ 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.
  41. ^ "The Internet Pinball Machine Database". Ipdb.org. Retrieved 2011-03-12.
  42. ^ "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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