DC's Metropolis

[terry78]

Not even close. It's not an either/or with it being either supporting cast or lead. It's about both rising together and supporting each other. When Batman gets a trilogy of films in the DCEU with Batgirl, Nightwing, and Joker films announced, the assumption is that WB is infatuated with Batman and that Superman not having similar spinoffs speaks to the weakness in his overall brand. Finally give Superman's supporting cast and other corners of the Superman mythos a chance to shine and get development they might not have gotten with him at the center, then all of a sudden the assumption reverses so that it's a sign that WB is ashamed of Superman and that his having spinoffs still speaks to the weakness of his brand. It makes no sense, and it's the kind of attitude that hinders Superman more than anything else.



Well said, and I have a lot of the same hopes for the show. Right now I'd really love if they got a woman on board to help write the show, and I would love if they cast a woman of color as Lois. On Gotham, Jamie Chung played Vicki Vale's cousin, Valerie Vale, as a young journalist. She was written well generally, and Chung did an excellent job in the part.

I know Chung probably wouldn't get cast. And, although I never liked or respected Max Landis much so that the recent allegations against him only solidified my feelings about him, I did appreciate that his prequel comic series for Superman, American Alien, featured a woman of color (Asian) Lois.

So, I hope whether she's cast as Asian or something else, that it breaks the mold. What should remain consistent, however, is a certain fire and intelligence. I hope whoever they cast gets the spirit just right. As for Lex, I am curious what their take would be. Will be be more charming businessman, mad scientist, something in the middle? Where will he be on the evil continuum?

Then it'll really be like Smallville

 

[misslane38]

Then it'll really be like Smallville

I guess it would be in some sense. On Smallville, Lana Lang was played by Kristin Kreuk who is part Chinese, so if Metropolis does something similar with a woman of color as Lois it would be alike in that way. Other similarities would include a young Lex who would be evolving into his evil self and, instead of meteor freaks, the show would probably still have sci-fi threats and mysteries that relate to some of the Superman mythos' iconic villains. Clark, the Kents, the small town atmosphere, and the high school setting set Smallville apart, however. So, while I agree there is the potential for similarities, I think it could be different enough to be special and appealing in its own right.

 

[Lencho01]

If she's based on American Alien, just get Anna Akana for the role...

 

[Willi Berg]

I hope for the best for this show.

I love the mythology of Metropolis, I do hope it explores many aspects of it we just haven't seen. Such as Suicide Slum, Bibbo and the Ace o' Clubs, Intergang, Steel...maybe even the Science Police.

I hope it means there's a chance to explore some of the idiosyncratic side of Metropolis and why it attracts the certain type of criminals and villains that will later go up against Superman.

But I hope it doesn't mean that Metropolis isn't richly explored in the movies with Superman. Even with separate continuities I hope the show brings Metropolis to life to complement the movies and that the movies continue to bring those aspects to life as well.

I want this to be good and I am a bit concerned that they get this right. Not just create something considered a flop for Superman.

Not even close. It's not an either/or with it being either supporting cast or lead. It's about both rising together and supporting each other. When Batman gets a trilogy of films in the DCEU with Batgirl, Nightwing, and Joker films announced, the assumption is that WB is infatuated with Batman and that Superman not having similar spinoffs speaks to the weakness in his overall brand. Finally give Superman's supporting cast and other corners of the Superman mythos a chance to shine and get development they might not have gotten with him at the center, then all of a sudden the assumption reverses so that it's a sign that WB is ashamed of Superman and that his having spinoffs still speaks to the weakness of his brand. It makes no sense, and it's the kind of attitude that hinders Superman more than anything else.

So, I hope whether she's cast as Asian or something else, that it breaks the mold. What should remain consistent, however, is a certain fire and intelligence. I hope whoever they cast gets the spirit just right. As for Lex, I am curious what their take would be. Will be be more charming businessman, mad scientist, something in the middle? Where will he be on the evil continuum?

I agree that if you get an audience for this show, it could help the Superman movies. Suddenly more people would be familiar with and want to see Metropolis and its characters. There would be more Lois Lane fans. Same with Lex. It could make Superman and his world more popular and current.

I hope Lois and Lex are interesting, complex characters. There is potential there. They would be quite young here and I guess Lex could be a "troubled genius" kind of character who would fall to the dark side so to speak and become misguided in his beliefs.

I do want it to rise above being another CW teen type of show, though.

I am also curious as to the extent they will use sci-fi, fantasy, superpowers etc.

 

[ZIPBAGS]

My reaction when I heard about this....

Really getting tired of this nonsense. Why does WB keep doing this? They have all of these other hero shows...Half of which don't exist in the same universe or in a different multi-verse. Also, why can't we have shows with Batman, Wonder Woman and more than guest appearances by Supes??

Just aggravating.

 

[Deck Rickard]

WB should make a TV series about the Hall of Justice, before the Justice League took it over and it was just a vacated government building waiting to be condemned.

 

[misslane38]

WB should make a TV series about the Hall of Justice, before the Justice League took it over and it was just a vacated government building waiting to be condemned.

That's a weak analogy and basically a strawman, since Lois and Lex are nowhere near the same thing as a building. Ridiculous.

 

[Poppy]

I hope for the best for this show.

I love the mythology of Metropolis, I do hope it explores many aspects of it we just haven't seen. Such as Suicide Slum, Bibbo and the Ace o' Clubs, Intergang, Steel...maybe even the Science Police.

I hope it means there's a chance to explore some of the idiosyncratic side of Metropolis and why it attracts the certain type of criminals and villains that will later go up against Superman.

Right now I'd really love if they got a woman on board to help write the show, and I would love if they cast a woman of color as Lois. On Gotham, Jamie Chung played Vicki Vale's cousin, Valerie Vale, as a young journalist. She was written well generally, and Chung did an excellent job in the part.

I know Chung probably wouldn't get cast. And, although I never liked or respected Max Landis much so that the recent allegations against him only solidified my feelings about him, I did appreciate that his prequel comic series for Superman, American Alien, featured a woman of color (Asian) Lois.


What should remain consistent, however, is a certain fire and intelligence. I hope whoever they cast gets the spirit just right.

I really liked Jamie Chung as Valerie Vale and I would have liked her as Loïs for sure. It's too bad she's already working on the X-men show.

I would love to have an unknown actress, a fresh face. I wonder what age is Loïs going to be?
I supposed the show is going to start at the beginning of her career. Maybe a 1-2 years after graduation? Because, they probably don't want to copy Smallville and giving us Loïs before she was a reporter, but they probably shouldn't give us an already award-winning journalist like the DCEU did.

I'm excited to see who they're going to cast, I can not wait to find out. I have issues with Gotham but their casting is almost perfect.

And yes, the writing room will definitely need women, it just makes sense.

 

[FunkMiller]

Lois Lane debuted and has more often than not been Superman's co-lead, but she probably is best described as a supporting character. That's not a problem. The problem is when other supporting characters like Dick Grayson move up the ranks to solo or lead status, you don't see the same level of outcry. So either Lois' lack of traditional superhero abilities or her status as female/love interest is cause for criticism. Both reasons, in my opinion, are rooted in sexism.

I’m as bored by the idea of a Robin series as I am by a Lois Lane one. Both supporting characters. Neither the focus of the story.

Again, plenty of characters out there to exploit that aren’t supporting characters to others. All of them more interesting and more original.

 

[misslane38]

I’m as bored by the idea of a Robin series as I am by a Lois Lane one. Both supporting characters. Neither the focus of the story.

Again, plenty of characters out there to exploit that aren’t supporting characters to others. All of them more interesting and more original.

So maybe this show isn't for you, which sucks for you but doesn't mean it's a bad idea overall. Because, unlike you, there are plenty of people interested in supporting character spinoffs, like a Lois Lane series. She's had her own comic, her own young adult novel series, and a Lois Lane TV show was actually what Gough and Millar wanted to do before they settled on Smallville. When the 75th anniversary of Action Comics occurred 5 years ago, Lois Lane fans got her trending on Twitter, and she got her own celebratory book, as did Superman and Lex Luthor. These characters aren't your average supporting characters, even though they are supporting, and them getting their own show doesn't prevent other shows with the lead or supporting characters you prefer from happening.

 

[misslane38]

Why are you being so dismissive over opinions of this show that is not your own ? That is the great thing about opinions no one is wrong. People are allowed to think that this show is not a good concept. People are allowed to be negative on any subject in this forum. If you don't like it find a safe haven for this show somewhere else ?

Perhaps you should accept the fact that not everyone will be on bored with this show & they have a right to say so & that does not make them wrong just because you disagree

Are you kidding me? I'm not being dismissive at all. I'm okay if someone is not interested in the show and is bored with the idea. But that's not what is being said. What's being said is that because someone is bored with the idea and not interested, the show shouldn't be happening. There are plenty of shows that bore me and don't interest me, so I don't watch them and don't care about them. I don't go around telling other people the show shouldn't exist or that another show should exist in its place as if television is some sort of zero-sum game. All I said is that if the idea of Metropolis bores you, and other ideas are more compelling, then maybe the show isn't for you. That's not a radical or dismissive statement.

 

[FunkMiller]

Are you kidding me? I'm not being dismissive at all. I'm okay if someone is not interested in the show and is bored with the idea. But that's not what is being said. What's being said is that because someone is bored with the idea and not interested, the show shouldn't be happening. There are plenty of shows that bore me and don't interest me, so I don't watch them and don't care about them. I don't go around telling other people the show shouldn't exist or that another show should exist in its place as if television is some sort of zero-sum game. All I said is that if the idea of Metropolis bores you, and other ideas are more compelling, then maybe the show isn't for you. That's not a radical or dismissive statement.

You’re being ridiculous. This is a forum for people to express their opinions.

You’re literally going round telling other people that this show should exist. Why the hell are you allowed to say that, while others cannot say the opposite?

If you’re unprepared to talk to others with opinions that go against yours, perhaps leaving might be best for you.

 

[Dr.]

Absent the final product, we can only debate the advertised synopsis. Now, some claim the very premise of Metropolis is so fundamentally flawed that it shouldn’t exist and that a better DC property should be substituted. Well, okay…. But this is a counterfactual response - because this series has, indeed, been greenlighted. So if you loathe the premise, “don’t watch” represents reasonably good advice.

 

[misslane38]

You’re being ridiculous. This is a forum for people to express their opinions.

You’re literally going round telling other people that this show should exist. Why the hell are you allowed to say that, while others cannot say the opposite?

If you’re unprepared to talk to others with opinions that go against yours, perhaps leaving might be best for you.

I'm not saying it should exist. I'm saying it does exist, and I'm glad it exists. I'm saying that if you don't feel the same way, then the show isn't preventing you from getting anything else you want out of DC or entertainment in general.

Absent the final product, we can only debate the advertised synopsis. Now, some claim the very premise of Metropolis is so fundamentally flawed that it shouldn’t exist and that a better DC property should be substituted. Well, okay…. But this is a counterfactual response - because this series has, indeed, been greenlighted. So if you loathe the premise, “don’t watch” represents reasonably good advice.

This.

 

[X Knight]

I think the show has potential. but ultimately, for it to hold my interest, Clark/Superman has to be established as an actual main character/series lead at some point.

especially if the show does turn out good. if Lois and Lex do turn out as interesting takes on the character. And if Metropolis is presented as a fascinating city to explore.

you'd want to see Clark/Superman finally interact with that Metropolis and with this Lois and Lex. I know I would.

not just to have him show up in the final seconds of the final scene of the final ep of the final season.

 

[misslane38]

I think the show has potential. but ultimately, for it to hold my interest, Clark/Superman has to be established as an actual main character/series lead at some point.

especially if the show does turn out good. if Lois and Lex do turn out as interesting takes on the character. And if Metropolis is presented as a fascinating city to explore.

you'd want to see Clark/Superman finally interact with that Metropolis and with this Lois and Lex. I know I would.

not just to have him show up in the final seconds of the final scene of the final ep of the final season.

I agree that Clark/Superman should be a factor in the show because that would be the organic direction for the show if it is doing right by Lois and Lex, but it's a big NO to his being a main character or lead. Regular guest appearances are fine. As soon as Superman shows up, then the show shifts its focus and undermines its own premise.

 

[BH/HHH]

In no way does the decision to do this show say in a any way that WB are ashamed of Superman. It’s just their way of doing a Superman show without the title character, therefore in there eyes (rightly or wrongly) saving him fresh for the movies. WB are so afraid of harming any potential movie box office that they make stupid decisions like this. It’s nothing to do with shame or a lack of interest in the character. If anything it shows they are way more interested and invested in the character than ever before. With this there will be 4 simaltaneous live action Superman properties. Movies, Supergirl, Krypton and Metropolis.

 

[Dr.]

How far back can this show be ? They gotta take into consideration Clark Kent attending Metropolis University at some point. This is not a long lasting show with out eventually bringing in Clark Kent it can't be ignored.

I think this will be the biggest challenge for Metropolis: traditionally, Superman and Lois are contemporaneous characters. So if Lois is a young adult (possibly already working at the Daily Planet), then (according to the standard mythology) a young adult Clark Kent should soon show up in Metropolis and/or be on the verge of making his first public appearance as Superman. So notwithstanding that this is a prequel story (about events before), the chronology as well as an abundance of “Superman signifiers” (the city, Lois, Lex, the DP, presumably a rogues gallery of future villains, etc.) might prime/tease the audience to expect something that the series has no intention of delivering. This is different than Smallville and Gotham - because in those cases, the pre-hero status of both CK and Bruce Wayne are specifically addressed. And it’s different from Krypton - because in that case, it’ll take two generations before Kal-El is even born. But with Metropolis, the audience will have entirely natural expectations about Superman’s (or, at least, CK’s) imminent arrival.

Not necessarily an insurmountable problem; but certainly a challenge.

I hope the Siegel heirs file a Superman lawsuit again sooner rather than later with the WBs continued mistreatment of the character

As far as I know, the S&S heirs exhausted their final options and appeals in 2013. So until public domain issues kick in, Superman and related IP are fully owned by WB/DC.

 

[FunkMiller]

In no way does the decision to do this show say in a any way that WB are ashamed of Superman. It’s just their way of doing a Superman show without the title character, therefore in there eyes (rightly or wrongly) saving him fresh for the movies. WB are so afraid of harming any potential movie box office that they make stupid decisions like this. It’s nothing to do with shame or a lack of interest in the character. If anything it shows they are way more interested and invested in the character than ever before. With this there will be 4 simaltaneous live action Superman properties. Movies, Supergirl, Krypton and Metropolis.

I’d say they clearly have a lack of respect for the character, given how ****** the past few Superman movies have been.

It’s no good having lots of Superman tv series without Superman, if Superman is being treated very poorly on the big screen. Which he has been. Repeatedly.

 

[Dr.]

Only possible way out of the Superman problem I can think of is if they establish early on that the Earth this show is set in is on a alternate Earth where Krypton never explodes & Superman never arrive

Not really doable, IMO. As a prequel story, Metropolis is already walking a tightrope in terms of setting the stage for a character who could show up - but never actually does. But what would be the point of an “alternative universe” version of Lois and Lex where Superman doesn’t exist at all (and never will)? Why not just do an “original” series about a generic feisty reporter and a generic morally suspect business tycoon and avoid the DC licensing fee?

 

[Matt]

Not really doable, IMO. As a prequel story, Metropolis is already walking a tightrope in terms of setting the stage for a character who could show up - but never actually does. But what would be the point of an “alternative universe” version of Lois and Lex where Superman doesn’t exist at all (and never will)? Why not just do an “original” series about a generic feisty reporter and a generic morally suspect business tycoon and avoid the DC licensing fee?

In fairness, I'm pretty sure you described just about every drama pilot CBS has in development at the moment.

 

[misslane38]

Metropolis doesn't say DC feels ashamed of Superman. I also don't think it has much to do with WB's film franchise. Fans have wanted a show for Lois to shine on her own without Superman for decades, and there have been numerous pitches reaching back to the early 90s to networks from ABC to WB to get a show like this one made. This is about a female supporting character getting a chance to show how she becomes a hero in her own right. Typically, prequel spinoffs are a sign of interest in a mythology not a lack thereof (see: Agent Carter). If DC was ashamed of Superman, then would have greenlit yet another Bat-related project. This is a show that gets to tell a unique Superman story in a way that paves the way for more Superman.

 

[misslane38]

But how long can this show last without some version of Clark Kent who goes 2 Metropolis for College ? Thats gonna be a problem down the line that can't be ignored

These characters aren't in college. Usually, at this point in the mythology, Clark is either a traveling reporter (Lois and Clark, Birthright), or he's on a journey to discover his origins (Superman I, MoS). Even Clark in Smallville attended a university in Kansas instead of MetU. I think it was only Post-Crisis Clark who may have gone to college in Metropolis, but that's irrelevant because this isn't a show about college age characters. These are post-grads between the ages of 22 and 30. It's not a problem at all. The only thing this show needs to do is plant seeds related to Superman throughout the show and more liberally as it heads towards an endpoint (e.g. rumors of a guardian angel hero, Clark corresponds with Lois, news reports of strange incidents in the Arctic, Lois on the verge of cynicism looking for a reason to hope, problems in the city/world that seem to require something more, etc.).

 

[TheComicbookKid]

I think this will be the biggest challenge for Metropolis: traditionally, Superman and Lois are contemporaneous characters. So if Lois is a young adult (possibly already working at the Daily Planet), then (according to the standard mythology) a young adult Clark Kent should soon show up in Metropolis and/or be on the verge of making his first public appearance as Superman. So notwithstanding that this is a prequel story (about events before), the chronology as well as an abundance of “Superman signifiers” (the city, Lois, Lex, the DP, presumably a rogues gallery of future villains, etc.) might prime/tease the audience to expect something that the series has no intention of delivering. This is different than Smallville and Gotham - because in those cases, the pre-hero status of both CK and Bruce Wayne are specifically addressed. And it’s different from Krypton - because in that case, it’ll take two generations before Kal-El is even born. But with Metropolis, the audience will have entirely natural expectations about Superman’s (or, at least, CK’s) imminent arrival.

Not necessarily an insurmountable problem; but certainly a challenge.

Not really. Catwoman and Lois both have identities that exist before and are exemplified by the precense of Batman and Superman.

A story about a reporter following high tech and international crimes isn't something new. You can throw in supernatural. Lois has connections to the military so you can do deep state/X-files stories. Then you have her relationship to Perry White as a mentor or secondary father figure. Her sister for family stories.

Depending on how they want to do Lex. His father could still be in the picture and running LuthorCorp with while battling the rise of advanced tech from Intergang. Introduce a teenage John Henry as a teen prodigy and Lex's protege.

None of this requires Superman. Just off hand mentions in the Daily Planet of miracles overseas.


When people say they want Superman, they want Superman lore, ie Legion and Supergirl, and Steel. That's where most of these prequel series end up going wrong. They try and do the superhero lore without the superhero that connects them. So you end up with these half-baked stories.

If they try and introduce a Bizarro into the story without a Superman. yeah. cancel it.

 

[Dr.]

Not really. Catwoman and Lois both have identities that exist before...
...

...None of this requires Superman....

Oh, logistically there’s no issue at all. If, as is fairly standard, Clark and Lois (eventually) met when they’re in their late twenties/early thirties, Lois will have had several years of pre-Superman Daily Planet adventures - plenty of material for Metropolis to work with.

I’m just saying that the basic premise of Metropolis might suggest to audiences that the arrival of Supes/CK is imminent. And when this doesn’t happen, it could lead to viewer confusion/frustration/resentment.

However (as also mentioned) this isn’t necessarily an insurmountable problem. E.g., perhaps every episode could be prefaced with an introductory text: “Five years before the world is introduced to the Superman…” Or some such. A tad inelegant. But it would clearly establish the context and frame expectations.