The CW has released the first official trailer for Superman & Lois, and while the new series is an extension of the network’s ever-growing Arrowverse, its teaser suggests that it’s going to be a lot different from its sibling shows tone-wise.
Seemingly picking up after the events of the Arrowverse crossover Crisis on Infinite Earths, Superman & Lois follows husband and wife Clark Kent (Tyler Hoechlin) and Lois Lane (Elizabeth Tulloch) as they move from Metropolis to Smallville with their teenage sons Jonathan (Jordan Elsass) and Jordan (Alexander Garfin). As revealed in the minute-long trailer, both Clark and Lois lost their jobs at the Daily Planet, but it seems like it isn’t the only reason why they relocated back to Smallville.
“Why did you move the family here? “General Sam Lane (Dylan Walsh) asks Clark in the promo video. “Still looking for a simple life? Because those days were gone, Clark. Long gone.”
Later in the trailer, an anxious Clark is approached by his high school sweetheart Lana Lang (Emmanuelle Chriqui) at a cookout and she tells him that he looks like he’s “got the weight of the world” on his shoulders.
It’s not clear what bothers Clark but it may have something to do with the mysterious foe in black armor who is seen attacking his sons at the end of the trailer.
Fans are generally thrilled with the Superman & Lois trailer, with many of them commenting that it looks like a trailer for a movie.
wait… why does it actually look good??? pic.twitter.com/GuBwzUVTFC
— Megan’s kneecaps? (@im_babbyy) January 21, 2021
Why does this feel like I’m watching a movie rather than a tv show? Seriously, what is this, and what the hell have they done with CW Superman? #SupermanAndLois
— Israel Dosal (@DosalIsrael) January 21, 2021
When someone tweeted that Superman & Lois appears like it has a bigger budget compared to other Arrowverse series, a fan claimed that the show has funding from HBO Max, adding that the series will be available on the streaming service after it aired on The CW.
Looks like an HBO max type of series. Looks more like mini-tv series with bigger budget. Doesn’t look ? as campy as smallville or the flash. Vibes between Arrow and super girl but with a bigger budget.
— John Michael (@john847890405) January 21, 2021
This show has funding from HBOmax and will be uploaded onto there after airing on The CW. So that’s why it looks like a HBOmax series, because it basically is one. ?
— Siobhan ?? (@slinehan1) January 21, 2021
Some Twitter users, meanwhile, shared that the trailer’s muted color palette and grounded tone are reminiscent of Zack Snyder’s 2013 movie Man of Steel.
The tone is way different than I was expecting. This is giving me Man Of Steel vibes. It looks Incredible pic.twitter.com/YIWYgcrOJ7
— Anthony Zane Strader(Black Lives Matters (@StraderZane) January 21, 2021
Man of Steel anyone? If this isn’t inspired by @ZackSnyder then I don’t know what is? Proof that Zack’s style (colour pallette, composition, and style of music) stands out. I’m intrigued. I may watch to see if it caters to those of us who enjoy grittier CB shows?
— Jay (@Dough_boy91) January 21, 2021
Copying Zack Snyder man of steel yet not letting him make his DC universe wow
— Phantom #BatmanDay (@phantomx1313) January 21, 2021
So true…i don’t see a single person complaining about the muted color palette…no smiling.. serious tone…guess it’s just Zack they hate.
— Ronnin Draws|??|Utkarsh Trivedi (@RoninDraws) January 21, 2021
I didn’t expect to see such an homage to Man of Steel with the tone and feel of this trailer. If this is the vibe they go for with the show itself, I’m in!@iDJWeddings have you seen this yet?
— Chris Roach (@chrisroachmate) January 21, 2021
While trailer looks promising overall, a number of fans are still not keeping their hopes high as TV pilots usually look more cinematic than regular TV episodes.
TV pilots usually have a more cinematic feel to it. AS the show progresses, especially in later seasons, you will usually see it look worse as the budget is trimmed or reallocated to other areas (ex. actors salary). But if the budget is increased then it may look better.
— cruman87 (@slsrifle) January 21, 2021
Superman & Lois is set to premiere with a two-hour premiere event on Tuesday, February 23rd at 8 p.m. ET on The CW, which will be followed by a Superman & Lois: Legacy of Hope special.