At the end of the DC TV Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover that aired earlier this year on The CW, a nascent Justice League or group of “Superfriends” united with the familiar theme music of the classic cartoon beginning as we see a hint of the space monkey Gleek. Now, KryptonSite can reveal exclusively that we have learned the Superfriends are returning, with a major tribute to the animated series of yesteryear.
The next DC TV crossover on The CW, airing in the next TV season whenever that might be, is already in development — and it is called “Challenge of the Superfriends.” While the Legion of Doom were a thing in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow Season 2, there’s a new Legion in town — full of all kinds of baddies.
The team of villains this time around will be led by Lex Luthor (Jon Cryer) and other foes throughout the history of the Arrowverse will be a part of his squad, including Mark Hamill (The Trickster), Tom Cavanagh (Eobard Thawne/Reverse-Flash), Wentworth Miller (Captain Cold), Alessandra Torresani (Duela Dent), Tom Amandes (The Calculator), Marvin “Krondon” Jones III (Tobias Whale), Italia Ricci (Silver Banshee), Thomas Lennon (Mxyzptlk), David Sobolov (the voice of Gorilla Grodd) and the first CW appearances of Batman villains The Riddler, Scarecrow, and Penguin as well as the Superman villains Bizarro and Conduit. We hear the Penguin will indeed be fat again, and as for the Riddler, it is said that The CW may be looking at a female to take on the role. Solomon Grundy is also said to play a part, even though he was part of the Arrowverse many years ago; it might be the Grundy that we will have seen on Stargirl by this time. Pending clearances from DC Comics, producers hope to bring back Manu Bennett’s Deathstroke as part of the Legion of Doom, and borrowing a villain from another series and network, there are talks with Blake Ritson to reprise his Krypton role as the original Brainiac.
New heroes will be introduced, as we will be meeting the “Wonder Twins” Zan and Jayna who are being eyed for their own potential spinoff series, and their “space monkey” Gleek will appear as well, if the visual effects budget allows. Just to be on the safe side, we’ve already launched a @WonderTwinsTV Twitter account. Casting documents obtained by KryptonSite imply that a new version of Firestorm will be introduced, and original Superfriends sidekicks Marvin and Wendy will at least make appearances, with those two having a unique connection to a very major and well-loved Arrowverse character.
Doing a crossover spotlighting the villains as well as several new heroes will, ideally, also lighten the load on the series regulars of the respective shows, with the villains and new heroes being the through-line between all of the chapters. As such, we can expect some supporting cast to jump from series to series, but the entire “Superfriends” team might not end up uniting until the final chapter. Crisis on Infinite Earths was such a big deal and surely a scheduling nightmare — this might make things a bit better for all involved. Right now the crossover will involve Flash, Green Arrow and the Canaries, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, Black Lightning, Batwoman and Superman & Lois, with characters from Supergirl appearing while Melissa Benoist is out on maternity leave. Also said to be included somehow? The “Breakfast League” from DC Universe All Star Games, with the Legion of Doom trying to recruit Sam Witwer as they think he is either Ben Lockwood or able to turn himself into Doomsday.
You can see a shot of the headquarters of the Justice League and the Legion of Doom below… for character artwork for “Zan,” “Jayna,” and the new “Firestorm,” click on this link.