Oh -
it just got real! Actor
Robert Wuhl has been
confirmed as reprising his role as
Batman '89's
Alexander Knox in the upcoming CW Network adaptation of
Crisis on Infinite Earths! This is on top of
Michael Keaton appearing as a
photograph of
Bruce Wayne. It's quite possible that Wuhl's Knox will be reading a newspaper featuring the photograph, in a "blink and you'll miss it" cameo. It is also possible that Wuhl's Knox appears on Earth-89 - designated for the year that Batman film was released.
Yes, this is a rating event. With a capital "E". Pure and simple.
Here's what I know from twenty-four years in radio: EVERY thing is designed to be an EVENT. There isn't a show on television, a film in the theaters, a book on a shelf, a comic book on a stand - nothing is out there that isn't meant to reach MASS APPEAL. You are a demographic. EVERY thing about YOU is broken down in order to reach accurate aim.
There's been a lot of rumor, speculation and fan-casting for this EVENT.
Here's mine.
Ben Affleck as
George Reeves Superman.
There must be no doubt that Ben Affleck is a Geek. He's played
Daredevil;
Batman, and the
George Reeves Superman. Hollywoodland is a pretty decent movie and I recommend it. It's like an extension of AJ Benza's E! Mysteries and Scandals.
Tim Daly as the
The Dark Knight Returns Superman.
Brandon Routh is getting a "do-over" as the Kingdom Come Superman.
Based on Kevin Conroy appearing for the FIRST TIME in live action as the Batman Beyond Bruce Wayne, I would love to see Tim Daly - who voiced Superman and Clark Kent in the Timm-Diniverse Superman: The Animated Series as the The Dark Knight Returns Superman.
Daly and Conroy infamously re-created The Dark Knight Returns on Daly's YouTube page...
George Newbern as the Justice Lords Superman.
George Newbern took over from
Tim Daly as
Superman in the
Timm-Diniverse Justice League animated series.
Honestly, "Secret Origin" is MUCH better than the live action Justice League film. But, that's another blog.
The episode "
A Better World" features the (SPOILER ALERT) death of
The Flash, voiced by
Smallville's
Michael Rosenbaum. The League become bitter and cynical and transform into the
Justice Lords. This is another casting based on Kevin Conroy crossing over from animation to live action.
John Haymes Newton as
Ultraman, from
Earth-3.
John Haymes Newton was the first
Superboy. The UPN series was based on the
Christopher Reeve films. Newton, and co-star
Stacy Haiduk, were
Clark Kent and
Lana Lang off to college at
Shuster University. They were joined by Perry's son,
T. J. White. Newton got into some trouble and was released from the series. It would be kinda cool to see him back in action.
Gerard Christopher as
Superboy-Prime.
I met
Gerard Christopher at
Comic-Con Chicago many, many years ago. He had a booth. He was by himself. He seemed like a very polite, nice young man. He succeeded
John Haymes Newton as Superboy for the remainder of the UPN series. I think from Season Two through Season Four. There were a few years between
Superboy and
Smallville. I would think that
Smallville was trying to distance itself from
Superboy - hence the "
no tights, no flights" commandment.
I would think that
Superboy and stars
John Haymes Newton and
Gerard Christopher are kind of overlooked. Neither one appeared on Smallville - like
Christopher Reeve,
Margot Kidder,
Dean Cain and
Teri Hatcher did. A cameo in the CW Network
Crisis adaptation might change that.
Dean Cain and
Teri Hatcher as
Lois and Clark.
Both have appeared on
Smallville. Cain, and
Helen Slater, are the CW Supergirl's adoptive parents. Lois and Clark was landmark. Clark revealed his identity to Lois Lane and the two finally married. the series prompted DC Comics to marry the two characters, too.
Jon Cryer, who played
Gene Hackman's nephew in the
Christopher Reeve Superman films will appear as
Lex Luthor in the CW adaptation of Crisis.
Michael Rosenbaum stated on social media that he was pitched a cameo, but it was more like, Hey, we need to know rightnowthissecond if you'd like to appear as Luthor. He turned the opportunity down.
I doubt that
Kevin Spacey would make a cameo as a Luthor. Bit what about
Clancy Brown? He voiced Luthor on the animated
Superman and
Justice League series. You've seen him in the original
Highlander film and on
Lost.
John Shea played
Luthor on
Lois and Clark.
Sherman Howard played
Luthor on the Superboy series. Any one of them could play
Earth-3's lone hero,
Luthor.
The question still remains, who will SURVIVE the Crisis on Infinite Earths?
