Casting News & Rumors for DC Comics on TV

 

On the heels of the announcements at San Diego Comic-Con, we get more news about cast additions across the board for the DC Comics television shows.

SUPERGIRL

At San Diego, the Supergirl panel included the newly minted Maxwell Lord, bringing Peter Facinelli (The Twilight Saga, Nurse Jackie) to the stage at the end of the panel discussion, where it was also revealed that Live Wire and Reactron would also appear in the series.

But now we also get the rumor that Supergirl could be bringing in another well-known character from the Superman mythology — Lucy Lane. According to a report in TVLine, the third episode will introduce Lucy. In her late 20s or early 30s, she’s described as “brash, funny and beautiful as her sister Lois, yet strong, smart and successful in her own right.” In addition, she will also be an ex-girlfriend of James Olsen’s, as she has been in the comics.

Lucy’s first appearance was in the pages of Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #38 back in 1959. Created by writer Otto Binder (who also co-created Supergirl) and artist Curt Swan, Lucy started her printed life as a stewardess with an on-and-off relationship with Jimmy. Reintroduced in The Man Of Steel reboot by John Byrne in 1986, she’d moved up to air traffic controller who was stuck blind by a mysterious ailment.

Notable in the character’s history is her time as Superwoman in Supergirl #35, in which she donned a costume with a containment field that simulated Kryptonian powers. Working under orders from General Sam Lane, her father, she eventually had a run-in with Reactron. A later version of Lucy had her joining the army after her father’s death.

This version of Lucy Lane could be an amalgam of the various versions — with a connection to both Reactron and the military, it wouldn’t be a stretch to think she’s somehow involved in Hank Henshaw’s operation. Whether or not she puts on a suit and does time as Superwoman is still speculative.

ARROW

At the panel for Arrow, producer Greg Berlanti announced that Mr. Terrific would be coming to the show, and now we learn that Echo Kellum will play a new version of the character — Curtis Holt, an inventor working at Palmer Technologies under Felicity’s supervision. Also the first openly homosexual character, Holt is not the same character who’s worn the “Mr. Terrific” moniker in the comics.

The first Mr. Terrific, Terry Sloane, was a member of the Justice Society during the Golden Age. He had a photographic memory and Olympic-level athletic skills, and was an active member of the JSA until the group was forced to disband rather than reveal their identities before the House Un-American Activities Committee.

The second Mr. Terrific, on which this new one seems to be based, was Micheal Holt, Olympic athlete with five black belts and a number of post-graduate degrees. Inspired by the story of the original Mr. Terrific, Holt took up the mantle and later joined the Justice Society. He is also the inventor of the T-sphere, a miniature AI device that can create holograms, release electrical charges, and connect with computer networks and satellites.  He was also romantically involved with Power Girl.

Likely the new character will be closer to the second version from the source material, but given the name (and orientation) change, the show will probably do some different things with him.

Also announced for Arrow has been Alexander Calvert playing Lonnie Machin, known as the villain known Anarky (another of Batman’s rogues…). First introduced in Detective Comics #608, created by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle. Machin was a child prodigy who grew up with the philosophy that overthrowing governments would improve conditions in society. Most of the Anarky-centric stories in the comics revolved around political and philosophical ideas, which may mean the character is connected with the name change for the city. Ray Palmer was an early advocate for changing “Starling City” to “Star City” (it’s more traditional name in the comics), so perhaps Anarky is tied in with that plot thread.

There’s also a possibility Anarky could be hired by Damian Darhk to cause chaos in Green Arrow’s home town, as he’s described as “a deranged freelancing criminal who is willing to do whatever it takes to impress a potential employer.”

THE FLASH

The Snart family band is getting a new member: patriarch Lewis Snart, played by Michael Ironside.

The Hollywood Reporter has learned that Ironside will have a recurring guest role starting in episode 203, “Family of Rogues”, along with Wentworth Miller and Peyton List (who played Lucy Lane in Smallville, by the way…) as Leonard and Lisa Snart. Lewis is described as cold-blooded and ruthless, returning to Central City after his release from prison.

In the comics, Lewis was an abusive father, and Leonard ended up spending time with his grandfather, who ran an ice truck.

Ironside, for his part, has been part of the DC Comics universe before, having played General Sam Lane in Smallville and voiced Darkseid in the animated Justice League. He’s also voiced characters in the Marvel universe with Stan Lee’s Mighty 7 and Wolverine and the X-Men.

GOTHAM

Bruce Wayne has a new love interest. Or rather, he will when they’re old enough.

Natalie Alyn Lind (The Goldbergs) will join the cast as a young Silver St. Cloud, one of Bruce Wayne’s few contemporaries who ends up knowing his secret identity as Batman. In this iteration, Silver is “an ethereal beauty with the pristine manners of a Gotham debutante” and the niece of Theo Galvan (James Frain), billionaire philanthropist with a dark secret. Galvan is running for Mayor while his sister Tabitha takes on the role of Tigress.

We also know season two will bring Clayface, Mr. Freeze, and the Mad Hatter to Gotham.

By the time Bruce grows up, everyone will already be there, it seems.