Say what you want about The CW (I’ll wait) but you have to admit that they’re trying new things with their DC properties. They’ve never been afraid of epic cross-overs, daring casting choices or dreaming big. Of course, they have less pressure than the DC movies so they’re willing to take more risks and constantly shake things up. Whatever the reason, The CW is actually trying to keep comic book fans engaged and happy.
And they’re trying something VERY novel soon. Deadline is reporting that Tyler Hoechlin AND Brandon Routh will both be playing Superman on The CW’s upcoming mega-crossover event Crisis on Infinite Earths set to air at the end of the year. Hoechlin currently plays Supes on Supergirl while Routh, as we all remember, portrayed the last Kryptonian in 2006’s Superman Returns. Now they’ll both be playing Superman, though there is no indication how much interaction they’ll have or what the story will be. Die-hard comic book fans are quite familiar with the epic Crisis event, it changed DC Comics forever and clarified the multi-verse idea that still lives on in comics.
The CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths will be a crossover that involves every single DC show: Arrow, Batwoman, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow and The Flash. It’s another example of the network aggressively trying new things. They’re treating these shows like actual comic books, featuring arcs and a growing, changing cast of characters. They’re making things complicated but they also know that the viewers are comfortable with that because most of them grew up reading the intricate and detailed storylines of comics. The CW knows it’ll never compete with the DCEU because of budgets and TV constraints but they also know they can beat the DCEU when it comes to mythology and its massive catalogue of characters.
You have to applaud The CW for casting Routh as Superman once again. The actor has been one of the stars of Legends of Tomorrow for a few years now but having him wear the cape again is a nice touch and nod to the audience. His Superman movie wasn’t very good but his portrayal of the character was pretty solid, if a bit understated and too quiet. He deserves another shot at playing the big blue Boy Scout, one free of the stench of Bryan Singer.