Tom Welling, Brandon Routh, Tyler Hoechlin & 3 Other Superman Actors Unite For A Picture Celebrating 31 Years Of Man Of Steel Adaptations

Several iconic Superman actors have united to celebrate the hero’s on-screen history through a special DC photo event. Across the world of television and film, multiple actors have played Superman in live-action and various animated properties. With the Man of Steel continuing to be one of Hollywood’s most beloved superheroes, Superman’s fanbase has only expanded from generation to generation, and once in every while, fans are lucky to meet multiple Supermen in person.

At the recent Fan Expo New Orleans event, a passionate Superman fan and cosplayer @Mikel_Byrnes shared a new photo with him and not one but six different actors who have played Krypton’s last son in live-action and animation. Check it out below:

Byrnes was suited up as the Man of Steel next to Smallville’s Tom Welling, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman’s Dean Cain, Justice League/Justice League Unlimited’s George Newbern, Superman: The Animated Series’ Tim Daly, Superman & Lois’ Tyler Hoechlin, and Superman Returns’ Brandon Routh. While Routh is the only Superman actor who got his DC start through film, he reprised the role in 2019’s Arrowverse crossover event, Crisis on Infinite Earths.

What The Superman Actor Photo Means For The Man Of Steel’s Legacy

Having incredible moments like these, where fans get to share a minute or two with Welling, Routh, Hoechlin, Cain, Daly, and Newsbern, serves as a reminder that Superman has a huge history and a global fanbase. As Superman’s story continues to get reimagined, there will always be new fans all over the world who discover the DC legend outside the realm of comics. From the many Superman movies and TV shows that continue to be produced, there is a Man of Steel for every fan, depending on their preferences.

Even when one Superman franchise comes to a conclusion, it doesn’t mean that the world stops celebrating said movie or TV show version of the Man of Tomorrow. That is why it became such a big deal when Welling and Routh got to join Hoechlin in Crisis on Infinite Earths back in 2019 as their versions of Clark Kent, as it honors what came before while also celebrating what was happening in DC’s current media. This is also why it is incredibly special to be able to have a similar moment in real-life with several Superman stars at the same time.

Our Take On The Superman Actor Photo

Seeing this many Superman actors united with fans only emphasizes the importance of the character and his place in pop culture, as he continues to be one of the world’s most famous superheroes. With these moments still happening just as the Man of Steel is about to be re-introduced to the big-screen with David Corenswet’s Superman movie in James Gunn’s DC Universe, the photo reinforces the idea that the DC icon will always remain relevant for decades to come. Hopefully, there will be a time when a DC live-action project can bring several Superman actors together for a special story.

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  Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman is a television series that aired for four seasons from 1993-1997 on ABC. Starring Teri Hatcher and Dean Cain in the title roles, the show picks up 27 years after the baby Kal-El is adopted after the crash landing of his spaceship outside of Smallville, Kansas. His new parents name him Clark Kent, and he grows up to be Superman. The series focuses on Lois and Clark’s relationship, as well as Clark’s adventures as Superman.

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  Superman: The Animated Series is a cartoon centered around the Man of Steel’s many adventures. Aired from 1996 to 2000, it is part of Warner Bros.’ DC Animated Universe, set in the same continuity as Batman: The Animated Series and Justice League: Unlimited.

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  Smallville is a Superhero television series based on the Superman Comic Book series created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. This television release was developed by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. The premise revolves around a young Clark Kent as he arrives on Earth and attempts to live his life while simultaneously keeping his friends, family, and those around him safe thanks to his superpowers.

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  Justice League is an animated TV series where DC superheroes, including Batman and Superman, form a team to protect Earth from a variety of threats. Featuring voice talents like Kevin Conroy as Batman and George Newbern as Superman, the series explores themes of teamwork and heroism across its action-packed episodes. The show was produced by Warner Bros. Animation and aired on Cartoon Network starting in 2001.

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  Justice League Unlimited is the culmination of the DC Animated Universe, reuniting characters introduced in previous shows such as Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman and introducing new JLA members like Green Arrow, Black Canary, and Booster Gold. The series’ three seasons aired from 2004 to 2006.

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  Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns follows the events surrounding the hero’s return to Earth after a five-year absence. When Superman (Brandon Routh) arrives back on Earth, he discovers that Lex Luthor (Kevin Spacey) has developed a plan to use kryptonite crystals to establish a new landmass that he intends to sell off to the highest bidder. With Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth) now married with a child, Superman must come to terms with everything he left behind in order to stop Luthor’s villainous scheme.

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  Superman & Lois follows the Man of Steel, Clark Kent, and journalist Lois Lane as they navigate the strains of contemporary parenthood while confronting threats from supervillains and alien invaders, blending personal challenges with heroic responsibilities in this 2021 television series.

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Source: @Mikel_Byrnes/Instagram