Emmanuelle Chriqui is joining the cast of Superman & Lois.
Chriqui will play the series regular role of Lana Lang-Cushing, opposite Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch, who are set to portray the title roles in the upcoming CW superhero drama from Warner Bros. TV.
Written by former The Flash showrunner Todd Helbing and based on the DC characters created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Superman & Lois will follow Clark Kent and wife Lois Lane as they deal with all the stress, pressures, and complexities that come with being working parents in today’s society.
Lana Lang-Cushing is a loan officer at Smallville Bank who finds herself stuck in her hometown when all of her friends, including Clark, moved to Metropolis and elsewhere. Years later during one of the most difficult periods in her life, Lana re-establishes her friendship with Clark.
Chriqui took to Instagram to confirm her casting. She thanked Helbing for writing a “compelling” incarnation of Lana Lang and mentioned that she can’t wait to work with Hoechlin and Tulloch on the series.
Apparently, fans are also excited to see Chriqui play Lana, with many of them saying that the actress is perfect for the role.
Congrats @echriqui as Lana Lang. Great casting! Can't wait to watch this series to unfold!
— xmasBarcna (@xmasBarcna) April 7, 2020
I don’t like the character, but great casting as Lana Lang. First time I might root for Lana Lang. pic.twitter.com/NJ4rPKzw6I
— Sarah?Clois ? and Guznadia?Efyam (@CloisForever23) April 7, 2020
I can't wait to see @echriqui as Lana Lang in Superman & Lois pic.twitter.com/zQpgpa1501
— P⎊tⓉΞR88406 ᴮᴼᴾ (@potterheadCP) April 7, 2020
In the comics, Lana is often portrayed as Lois’ rival to Clark and Superman’s affection, and it seems that some fans are more than ready for some Clark and Lana moments in the new series.
We’re getting Lana Lang in the arrowverse??? My clana heart is not okay. I know the arrowverse takes place years after clana were together so we won’t be getting any clana but still. They were my first ship and I will always love tom welling and kristin kreuk’s portrayals.
— Neda (@Laurelslena) April 7, 2020
Paying homage to #Smallville, the new CW tv series #SupermanAndLois has chosen the Canadian actress #EmmanuelleChriqui to portray #ClarkKent’s first love, #LanaLang, going for a Smallville look rather than previous incarnations’s. Ready for the #Clana vs #Clois weekly civil war? pic.twitter.com/J5dokgfvlu
— Luiz Fernando (@Luiz_Fernando_J) April 7, 2020
A few fans, however, are quick to dismiss Chriqui’s casting, claiming that Kristin Kreuk, who portrayed the character in Smallville, will always be the only Lana Lang for them.
Love this cause I love @echriqui ? she’s so pretty and will be a perfect Lana Lang. #SupermanAndLois Kristin Kreuk will always be THE Lana Lang tho and that’s on period. #Smallville https://t.co/HSD4IUBPtD
— Alexia ?? (@lost_girl_alex) April 7, 2020
ONLY Kristin Kreuk is Lana Lang. ONLY! https://t.co/AqUID7M9xn
— Corey (@C_R_H_M) April 7, 2020
CW: We've casted Lana Lang!
Fans: But…but.. Kristin kreuk is my first crush. #Smallville pic.twitter.com/sSpowl0B5I
— Kristin Kreuk Fan (@KreukieFan) April 8, 2020
Chriqui is best known for her performance as Sloan McQuewick on HBO’s Entourage and as Adam Sandler’s love interest, Dalia, in the 2008 comedy film You Don’t Mess with the Zohan. Her other acting credits include Fox’s The Passage, CBS’ The Mentalist, TNT’s Murder in the First, Showtime’s The Borgias, Hulu’s Shut Eye, and many others.
In addition to Hoechlin, Tullock, and Chriqui, Superman & Lois also stars Dylan Walsh as Lois’ father General Samuel Lane, and Jordan Elssas and Alexander Garfin as Clark and Lois’ sons.
The series, which was supposed to film its pilot episode during regular pilot season before taking a break and resuming production on the rest of its 13-episode order in the summer, will now go straight into series production after all pilot production was suspended over the COVID-19 pandemic. Filming is scheduled to start in the summer, but may be delayed due to the ongoing global health crisis.