When The CW changed ownership (and leadership), alterations to the network's content immediately started taking place. Several scripted series were scrapped, and a number of those already on the air ended up being cancelled; they also wasted no time in getting out of the DC business.
The plug had already been pulled on the Arrowverse and, understandably, Gotham Knights was next. As for Superman & Lois, it looked like the costly show would end prematurely with its third season.
Instead, we're getting a truncated fourth season with fewer writers and regular cast members. That's better than nothing and more details have now been revealed about why Superman & Lois was scrapped.
According to The Wrap, The CW's executives examined the network's slate of scripted originals and decided only four were worth investing in: All American, All American: Homecoming, Walker, and Superman & Lois.
"We went to our partners at CBS and Warner Bros., and we just were like, 'We’re partners on these things, you sell them randomly around. Here’s our economics...' We can’t keep losing the amount of money we were on the shows," entertainment chief Brad Schwartz explained. "Very collaboratively, everyone got together and we pushed these four shows forward."
The trade goes on to explain that, despite how well Superman & Lois was performing, the decision to end the show was made by Warner Bros., and not The CW. "They don’t want a competing Superman product in the marketplace," Schwartz confirmed, referring to Superman: Legacy.
With DC Studios looking to create a single shared DC Universe, perhaps we shouldn't be surprised that this series was axed; plus, it may be hard to sell people on a new Superman movie when they can see another version of the hero in action at home for free!
Oh, and before taking aim at James Gunn and DC Studios, bear in mind that it was likely the Superman: Legacy helmer who gave that fourth and final season the green light in order to make fans happy and lessen the blow of all those DCEU recastings!
Superman & Lois was developed by Todd Helbing and Greg Berlanti for The CW network. Theshow stars Tyler Hoechlin as Clark Kent/Superman and Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane. It follows the iconic superhero couple as they navigate the challenges of parenthood while also dealing with the responsibilities and dangers that come with being Earth's greatest protector.
The premise of Superman & Lois diverges slightly from traditional Superman stories by focusing more on the family dynamic between Clark, Lois, and their teenage sons, Jonathan and Jordan Kent. The series explores how Clark balances his duties as Superman with his obligations as a husband and father, all while living in the small town of Smallville.
Superman & Lois is set to return to The CW this fall.