So much for Lex Luthor (Michael Cudlitz) laying claim toSuperman’sheart as a trophy. Clearly, Kal-El (Tyler Hoechlin) survives his harrowing Season 3 cliff-hanging duel with Doomsday, which will continue in the Season 4 premiere. Flash forward to the final episode, thanks to four behind-the-scenes photos from the set ofSuperman & Lois,and fans ofThe CWseries can catch a glimpse of a battered, bruised and blooded Man of Steel along with a more comics-accurate John Henry Irons. Check out the images, courtesy of Canadagraphs (via Instagrammer@flashfacts4real):
The BTS photos also reveal some of the former series regulars, most notably Jon Henry Irons actor Wolé Parks on theSuperman & Loisset. Last summer,Deadlinereported that only the core-four Kent family members and Cudlitz’s Lex Luthor — promoted to a series regular in Season 4 — would be returning as regulars, while Parks and six others (Dylan Walsh, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Erik Valdez, Inde Navarrette, Tayler Buck, Sofia Hasmik) were departing as full-time players.
Superman and Lois
With the revelation of these candid series finale photos, though, it’s clear that integral characters like John Henry Irons, Lana Lang (Chriqui) and Valdez’s Kyle Cushing (confirmed byTV Line) will be a part ofSuperman & LoisSeason 4, at least as guest stars. Although, there’s not been any confirmation yet on how many of the show’s final 10 episodes these performers will appear in.
A More Comics-Accurate John Henry Irons
Superman’s death at the hands of Doomsdayis a story that dates back 32 years. At the time, the tale was told across the then four existing comic book titles, which includedSuperman: The Man of Steel, Superman, The Adventures of SupermanandAction Comics. The seemingly unstoppable creature responsible for killing the Last Son of Krypton first appeared in a cameo during the final panels ofThe Man of SteelNo. 17 (1992).
After Kal-El’s demise, four would-be heroes stepped forward during theReign of the Supermenstoryline, which followed on the heels ofDoomsdayandFuneral for a Friend. One of those to emerge during theReignwas none other than John Henry Irons. Irons took on the heroic alter ego known as Steel, and actor Wolé Parks portrays a version of that armor-clad character onSuperman & Lois.
Superman & Lois, All American: Homecoming Fall Victim to Budget Cuts as Both Series Suffer Casualties in Respective Writers Rooms
The writers rooms for both the CW’s Superman & Lois and All American: Homecoming lose crucial creatives amid cutbacks.
However, The CW’s iteration of the character is a far cry from how Steel first appeared in DC Comics (see photos above). But it finally seems thatSuperman & Loisis giving John Henry Iron’s the comics-accurate upgrade the character deserves. In the new behind-the-scenes photos from the set of the show’s series finale, a mural can be seen of Steel sporting a red cape with the Superman insignia branded onto his armor.
According to The CW President of Entertainment, Brad Schwartz, the final season of thesoon-to-be canceledSuperman & Loiswill debut this fall,but an exact premiere date has not been announced at the time of this writing.
