'Superman & Lois' and 'Walker, Texas Ranger' reboot get straight-to-series order on The CW
The recently announced 'Superman & Lois' has received a straight-to-series order from The CW, along with Jared Padalecki's 'Walker, Texas Ranger' reimagining. According to the Hollywood Reporter, "Both script-to-series pickups will be for the network's 2020-21 broadcast season."
This is unusual for the CW, which usually approves of a pilot before ordering a series' first season, but apparently both shows have enough fan base to assure the CW of the viability of their spinoffs.
'Superman & Lois' have a bit of a headstart, in fact, as both characters have had appearances on the CW's Arrowverse shows, played by Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth 'Bitsie' Tulloch respectively. The two were most recently seen on the 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' crossover, along with their son, Jonathan.
However, young Jonathan Kent might not be the only super-son featured on the series. As in a surprise twist, it's revealed that Superman has not one son, but two. The multiverse had been destroyed on 'Crisis on Infinite Earths' before being recreated — but with some changes. Lex Luthor (Jon Cryer), for instance, is now known to the world as a hero worthy of global admiration — though he's still as evil as ever behind that facade. Superman, in conversation with Lois, is surprised when Lois calls him home to talk to him about something regarding "the boys" — plural.
This is certainly a twist on what was expected from a 'Superman & Lois' series. In the comics, Superman and Lois have had a child by the name of Jonathan, for years, but Jonathan is an only child. Most alternate versions of Superman that go on to have a child tend to also be only children. Superman is surprised to learn of his second child, as the second child did not exist before the Crisis, but he will hopefully regain his memories of his two children before long, or he's going to have a very difficult conversation with Lois.
'Superman & Lois' is expected to release during the CW's 2020-21 broadcast season.