SupermanHawaii.com

by Lawrence E. Pacheco

We are living in a time when there is about to be the most actors to ever play Superman within the same decade. It began with the introduction of George Newbern in the Justice League animated series who replaced Tim Daly (Superman: The Animated Series, 1996-2000). Throughout its extremely successful run until the end of Justice League Unlimited, George Newbern found his own unique style.

It wasn’t until 2006, however, that we finally got the first live-action Superman for the 2000s. I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking, “what about Tom Welling? Smallville began in 2001!” Well, actually, he hasn’t technically played “Superman”… yet. At present, Brandon Routh holds that honor and we are promised that he will, yet again, put on the cape in 2009's sequel Superman: The Man of Steel.

Two other portrayals round out the list of past and current performances. Tim Daly recently returned as Superman in the direct to DVD animated movie Superman: Braniac Attacks. Finally, just last year, the Legion of Super Heroes animated series debuted on Kids WB and presented us with a young Clark Kent (played by Yuri Lowenthal) who learns from the Legion that he is to become Superman.

This makes four for the decade… so far.

On the not-too-distant horizon Warner Bros. will be bringing us even more variations of the “Big Blue Boy Scout“. The next incarnation will be coming our way this September 22nd. At the same time that the second season of the Legion of Super Heroes will premiere (with an additional Superman clone character), a familiar voice will reprise his role. At this year’s San Diego Comic Con it was announced that George Newbern will once again play the Man of Steel in the animated series The Batman. Though the voice is the same as in Justice League Unlimited, the look and feel will not be. Clark will be the “loveable klutz” and Superman will be much more reserved.

Two more animated versions are coming. On September 18th 2007, Superman: Doomsday will hit video stores across the nation. Animated Series creator Bruce Timm is back to cover the Death of Superman storyline. Adam Baldwin will be the voice of Superman this time around but the animation style is very close to that of the previous animated series’. Another Bruce Timm animated project is Justice League: The New Frontier which is based on the popular graphic novel of the same name. Instead of Adam Baldwin, however, Superman will be voiced by Kyle (Dune) MacLachlan. The man that fans were begging to play George Reeves in the film Hollywoodland.

This makes seven for the decade… so far.

Recently, Warner Bros. has sent DC fans swooning with the announcement that plans are underway for a live-action Justice League movie! No word has been released yet on just who will play the lead roles but the initial presumed talk is that Brandon Routh and Christian Bale are not involved with the project. This seems to fall in line with the aforementioned list of numerous actors. However, if this is true, it seems unfortunate that the two actors who have been accepted as the Superman and Batman of this generation, will be replaced by others. I know, a lot is involved in that decision… contracts, money and time most likely being the top three… but I can dream can't I?

Seven actors, eight variants (eight actors if you include Patrick Warburton from the American Express Sienfeld and Superman webisodes). What a decade this is shaping up to be. I can only wonder what the 2010s will bring.

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For more information on the various actors who have played Superman please visit our Superman Portrayals section.

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