Superman & Lois's Man of Steel, Tyler Hoechlin, reacts to the surprising classic villain twist seen in the third episode of season 2. Hoechlin stars alongside Elizabeth Tulloch, Jordan Elsass, and Alex Garfin as the CW's version of DC's Kent family. The second season premiered on January 11th, 2021, with "What Lies Beneath".
In season 2's premiere, "What Lies Beneath," fans were introduced to the mystery of the monster of Shuster Mines, the long-since abandoned mines in Smallville. Purchased by Edge EnerCorp and later used to stash X-Kryptonite in season one as part of Tal-Rho's (Adam Rayner) plan to create a metahuman army, the mines have become subject to monster sightings in the second season. Smashing through the walls and causing tremors felt in subsequent episodes, the creature finally appears in a green suit that fans had deduced may hint at it being Doomsday, one of Superman's most dangerous foes in the comics. However, in "The Thing in the Mines," Superman damages the creature's suit, revealing it to be the hero's doppelganger Bizarro instead, also played by Hoechlin. With the episode playing with comic fans' expectations, Hoechlin opened up about the twist in a recent interview.
Speaking to EW, Hoechlin joked that he couldn't share his exact reaction to the news that he'd be playing Bizarro in the current season when asked. While he couldn't repeat what he said, saying it wasn't "a very Superman thing to say," Hoechlin did reveal that he found it very cool, being excited to play the character. He did admit he hadn't factored in the increased workload another role would bring when he agreed, but nevertheless enjoyed the challenge it would bring. Check out Hoechlin's full response below.
"Well, my original reaction was an expression that I cannot probably repeat in this interview as somebody who's playing Superman at the moment. That is not a very Superman thing say [laughs], but I thought it was very, very cool. Then, the schedule came out, I was like, "Oh, that's the part [the increased workload] I didn't think about when he said that." But it's always fun. I always like a challenge. I like being busy, so it's definitely been that"
Playing both Superman and Bizarro isn't the first time that he's played multiple characters, as Zod was introduced after much speculation in season 1, albeit with a twist. As part of Tal-Rho's plot in Superman & Lois season 1, the villain ambushes and overpowers Superman, implanting the hero with the consciousness of the rogue Kryptonian general. This saw Hoechlin play the villain, as Zod caused chaos using the hero's body. The Man of Steel's connection with his family and those he cares for helps Clark escape Zod's control, expelling his foe's consciousness from his body before going on to finally put a stop to Tal-Rho.
With Tal-Rho still plotting, crushing visions haunting him, and now his bizarre doppelganger looking for a fight, it's clear that Clark's Kryptonian troubles aren't behind him. Though Hoechlin calls his Superman "chill", the appearance of Bizarro is set to further complicate things, as now he must discover how and why iconic DC foes appear in the CW DC universe. While things are bleak for Clark, it appears Hoechlin is glad to play one of Superman's more stranger foes, as Superman & Lois season 2 brings more of the comics' lore into its world.
Source: EW