Supergirl How does a Young Superman work on Supergirl

[Mightmitenot]

Ok so we've all seen the reports from TV line "According to some fresh casting intel, the show is seeking a 13-year-old actor with “future leading man looks” to play the potentially recurring role of Kal-El, aka the future MoS.

Lil’ Supes will first appear in this season’s 13th episode via a string of flashbacks that will establish the cherished bond between him and Kara."

However we know that Clark was 24 (at least I think he was) when Kara arrived on Earth as a teenager and he himself was rocketed from Krypton as a boy. So how could this work given the timelines don't quite gel together? Let's look at some ways this could work:

Retcon

Could it be a retcon? So soon? If it is I think I would be pretty annoyed as retcons are used when a show needs to force something. This way though they could have them both be teenagers on Krypton. However if it's supposed to work on Earth I'm not sure how. Unless they say he was Superboy when he discovers Kara?

Time Travel

Could it be possible that Kara time travels in an episode or 2? The only thing negating this possibility is the call says it's a recurring role according to the report. However what's to stop it been a recurring role after time travel? Say she goes back and meets a 13 year old Clark then there after when she has returned to the present day storyline we continue with flashbacks to Clark growing up in Smallville.

Or in this univser was Kal El Superboy before he was Superman? Maybe Superboy is the one who time travels?

It's not Kal

Maybe it's not Kal, the report could e wrong or they could just be using the 'Young Superman' as a casting role that is actually for a different character. Maybe say Kon El aka Superboy, as Superman's clone this would make a lot of sense as he'd look just like him. Or could it be an evil clone or an evil duplicate of some sort who tricks Kara?

My preferred choice would be Kon El but I'm unsure if he is going to be used on Titans (if it ever happens).

Something happens to Superman

Maybe it's magic? Maybe it's some weird version of Kryptonite. What if something happens to Superman that turns him into a boy for the rest of the season. Then come the finale he is restored to his normal self? This to me is one of the more likely options given the timeline.

They don't actually meet

Maybe the 'bond' they speak of is metaphorical. Maybe we will see Kara going through things in present day that we see Kal going through in flashbacks. It doesn't quite work with what's been reported but it makes sense with the timeline.

There are many more possibilities of course. What do you think is most likely?

He's not Kon-el, It's Henshaw's first attempt to have a Kryptonian body to merge his cybernetic body into. Fast aging alters his body and ruins his mind. He becomes Bizarro by season's end.

 

[BH/HHH]

Gotbam can use whatever and whoever they want whenever and however they want. If they wanted to, the show's producers could turn the series into a show about an adult Batmantomorrow, and WB and DC couldn't stop them.

They couldn't WB/DC still have to approve the scripts. The only reason they have the licenses they do is because its a prequel show. Its as simple as that. Say Gotham do have this licence you speak of surely they'd be doing flash forwards with Batman to improve ratings? I highly doubt they can just suddenly go all out with Batman.

DC/WBs always have to approve everything, they don't tend to operate without a reporting line.

Still I wonder what Gotbam is

 

[BH/HHH]

No, they can't.

I honestly would just like to put that guy on ignore, he thinks he knows how they operate because of what he's read. WBs/DC always have always had to approve the storylines and scripts for TV shows. Thats why the Superboy TV show was cancelled because WBs wanted to make Lois & Clark so DC stopped approving Superboy's scripts.

 

[Last Of Krypton]

I honestly would just like to put that guy on ignore, he thinks he knows how they operate because of what he's read. WBs/DC always have always had to approve the storylines and scripts for TV shows. Thats why the Superboy TV show was cancelled because WBs wanted to make Lois & Clark so DC stopped approving Superboy's scripts.

Yes, Batman and Superman are the crown-jewels of WB/DC (Wonder Woman might join them soon). It's understandable that they're so protective of them. The studio is very cautious about their portrayals in the different medias. Zack Snyder said it best:they transcend the superhero genre.

On the topic itself: The show will be entering a dangerous territory if they rely on (Young) Superman's presence. I watched the first episodes and one of my biggest issues were the constant references to Kal. They should have acknowledged his existence and moved on.
Heck, they could have mentioned that the "Death of Superman" happened during this timeline. This would also be a source of motivation for Supergirl to take the "S" mantle and become earth's protector.
But to be honest the show has bigger issues than the ever present shadow of Superman. I've stopped watching the show for now. I might give it another chance if I start hearing good things.

 

[BH/HHH]

Yes, Batman and Superman are the crown-jewels of the WB/DC (Wonder Woman might join them soon). It's understandable that they're so protective of them. The studio is very cautious about their portrayals in the different medias. Zack Snyder said it best:they transcend the superhero genre.

On the topic itself: The show will be entering a dangerous territory if they rely on (Young) Superman's presence. I watched the first episodes and one of my biggest issues were the constant references to Kal. They should have acknowledged his existence and moved on.
Heck, they could have mentioned that the "Death of Superman" happened during this timeline. This would also be a source of motivation for Supergirl to take the "S" mantle and become earth's protector.
But to be honest the show has bigger issues than the ever present shadow of Superman. I've stopped watching the show for now. I might give it another chance if I start hearing good things.

I am yet to watch How Does She Do It and Livewire but I think Fight or Flight drew a line over it wonderfully. Not that they shouldn't revisit Supefman in the future but I agree if they begin to rely on this teenage Clark/Kal El they're asking for trouble.

I personally will carry on watching I've been a big fan of what I've seen thus far.

 

[Mysteryman]

Gotham and Supergirl can use the characters but only because WB/DC allow them to.

 

[3dman27]

I honestly would just like to put that guy on ignore, he thinks he knows how they operate because of what he's read. WBs/DC always have always had to approve the storylines and scripts for TV shows. Thats why the Superboy TV show was cancelled because WBs wanted to make Lois & Clark so DC stopped approving Superboy's scripts.

I thought it was because of mr Byrnes reboot where there WAS no superboy

 

[BH/HHH]

I thought it was because of mr Byrnes reboot where there WAS no superboy

No that was in the comics, I'm talking about the TV show that ironically debuted after Superboy had been retconned from the comics with Man of Steel in 1986. After four seasons Superboy was a ratings success but because WBs wanted to do a Superman TV show aswell as there issues with the Salkinds over the Superman rights. DC stopped approving the scripts so Superboy couldn't carry on. Huge shame they couldn't have worked something out together. Although I am a fan of L&C season one so it worked out as it did.

 

[Webhead2006]

Is that really reason I never read thst. And I read the second superbly actor even tested for lois and clark and got far into casting to those producers found out he did superboy.

 

[BH/HHH]

Is that really reason I never read thst. And I read the second superbly actor even tested for lois and clark and got far into casting to those producers found out he did superboy.

Yeah exactly why plus the issues with the Salkinds. Yeah Gerard not only tested he got the role but when they read his resume they were fuming with him because he'd done it. Honestly WBs should have made a deal with Viacom and the Salkinds to progress from the Superboy show to a Superman one. They all would have benefitted however WBs wanted rid of the Salkinds. Which looking back now was actually bad cause whilst they had the rights they produced 3 Superman films and a Supergirl movie yet without them we had to wait for nearly twent years before we got another Superman film. Say what you will about the Salkinds but they always put money into Superman and produced films on a pretty consistent basis. Not to forget they also gave us 4 seasons of Superboy.

 

[3dman27]

No that was in the comics, I'm talking about the TV show that ironically debuted after Superboy had been retconned from the comics with Man of Steel in 1986. After four seasons Superboy was a ratings success but because WBs wanted to do a Superman TV show aswell as there issues with the Salkinds over the Superman rights. DC stopped approving the scripts so Superboy couldn't carry on. Huge shame they couldn't have worked something out together. Although I am a fan of L&C season one so it worked out as it did.

I stand corrected

 

[Compi716]

Not sure if this has been suggested but:

What if the role is Superboy (young Clark), who is on a time traveling adventure with the Legion of Superheroes? That would be pretty damn cool,many open the show to an enormous amount of potential storylines. Plus, you get Superboy!

I know that's not what the casting sheet makes it sound like, but they could be possibly want to keep the real story a secret.

 

[BH/HHH]

Not sure if this has been suggested but:

What if the role is Superboy (young Clark), who is on a time traveling adventure with the Legion of Superheroes? That would be pretty damn cool,many open the show to an enormous amount of potential storylines. Plus, you get Superboy!

I know that's not what the casting sheet makes it sound like, but they could be possibly want to keep the real story a secret.

That would seriously rock

 

[Webhead2006]

I doubt they can option for legion characters. It is still more likely we the viewers will be seeing young clark either in smallville with the Kents dealing with his powers. Or with younger danvers. And this is told to kara by Jimmy or Mrs. Danvers.

 

[BH/HHH]

I doubt they can option for legion characters. It is still more likely we the viewers will be seeing young clark either in smallville with the Kents dealing with his powers. Or with younger danvers. And this is told to kara by Jimmy or Mrs. Danvers.

Probably not but we can hope t:

 

[DigificWriter]

Given the precedent that was set with FOX and GOTHAM, I would be very surprised if the equally influential folks at CBS weren't given the chance to negotiate a similar no-restrictions licensing deal even though we haven't heard anything official in that regard, so I think it's a mistake to speculate that certain characters might be unavailable to the series' producers and writers.

 

[Webhead2006]

Well we know with flash and arrow which are done by supergirl producers they have yes and no on characters. And now been restricted on some. Where as gotham as I read into is a different case then berlanti and his crews.

 

[DigificWriter]

The CW may be co-owned by CBS, but it's by no means on the same level when it comes to overall industry influence than the "Big 4" of FOX, CBS, NBC, and ABC. Even though we haven't officially heard of such being the case, I honestly can't see CBS not asking for the same type of unrestricted licensing deal that was struck between DC/Warner Bros. and FOX as far as Gotham is concerned because of the fact that they're a much bigger network than The CW and consequently have the financial ability and corporate clout to do so.

 

[Shazam]

Once again DC throws stuff in a pot and doesnt care how it fits!

No......this doesnt work..... She's tells her story in the opening credits every frickin week! She tells us how when her pod crash landed , a fully grown ....fully costumed SUPERMAN ripped off the hood of her ship and stretched out his hand with his cape flapping in the breeze! THEN,,,,they show him taking her by the hand and dropping her with the Danvers!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACvGvHYkWLQ


There is no room for a 13 year old Clark to be hanging out with his little cuz!!

Why are they doing this? Are the rating dipping?? And we dont want another Smallville either. No more pre-Superman Clark!! Please no!!

 

[Kelly]

You are jumping up and down in a tantrum, over something that you haven't seen, and know absolutely nothing about how it will be done. Chill...

 

[Mysteryman]

It would be nice to have some context for this young Superman appearance.
Only time will tell.

 

[Shazam]

You are jumping up and down in a tantrum, over something that you haven't seen, and know absolutely nothing about how it will be done. Chill...

What tantrum?? It makes no sense.

 

[The Guard]

How can it make no sense? You don't even know the context yet.

There are multiple ways it could make sense.

-Flashback to young Clark parallelling young Kara, perhaps as she reflects on what she has learned from Clark about his developing powers, or is told about him by her adoptive parents/father.
-It's a clone of Superman (Superboy)
-Time travel

 

[DigificWriter]

I can't see how it's going to work, but I'm not acting as if my hair is on fire. I may be confused, but I still have enough faith in Berlanti and Co. to trust that they kbow what they're doing and will make this make sense.

 

[BH/HHH]

Exactly, I think none of us have a real idea of how this will work but I reckon when they actually do it we'll all go ahh I see.