Interviews

Superman & Lois: Director Tom Cavanagh Previews The Finale

Interview with director Tom Cavanagh about the Superman & Lois season finale “Last Sons of Krypton”

Published

3 years ago

August 17, 2021

When someone brings up the name “Tom Cavanagh,” many may think of his fantastic work on such TV series as The Flash, where he starred as multiple incarnations of Harrison Wells. Some of us are old enough to remember what a great show Ed was, or his guest roles on such series as Scrubs and Jack & Bobby, or they saw his Tom and Grant short film collaboration with Grant Gustin.

Super-fans might also know of one of his other talents: Directing. Cavanagh was tasked with helming three episodes of The Flash, including the show’s milestone 100th episode in 2018. This year, he was chosen to direct the first season finale of Superman & Lois (airing tonight 8/17 on The CW) — and again, he certainly delivered.

KryptonSite’s Craig Byrne was able to interview Tom Cavanagh about the season finale and what it was like to enter the world of another Arrowverse show, as well as handling a finale that would be satisfying to the audience. From the start, Cavanagh heaped a lot of praise on the Superman & Lois team for what they were able to do together.

“They have a spectacular team,” he said. “I’ve done this for a while, and you never quite know what you’re going to get. And it’s a very strange position: Unlike when you direct a movie, where it’s your vision, when you direct a television show, it’s a very funny thing: You’re in charge, but only for two weeks, and then the next woman or man is in charge, but only for two weeks.”

While sometimes being new to a show might be a conflict, Cavanagh credits the “spectacular group” at Superman & Lois for making it work. “It felt like their sole purpose, which was identical to mine, was to tell as best of a story as we could, so everything was on the table, and we were all fighting towards the best presentation of the story that we had. It was an incredible pleasure to work with a group that was down to Earth, charismatic, funny, hard, working, talented, just as many accolades as I could throw out there…. they personified them,” he said.

“Everybody is invested in making it look like a big screen show. From my time over there, I was amazed at how much of a priority that was, and how welcoming they were to ideas that I would have about, like, having the the amber fields of grain waving the golden light, with people small in the distance. Nobody was like, ‘no, we’ve got to get closer to them.’ They were like, “no, that’s a great tableau and a great image. Let’s do that!’ Frankly, it was invigorating,” he recalled. Technology has also been a bonus for filming a show like Superman & Lois. “I’ve been overjoyed at what we can do with those advances,” Cavanagh said, adding that things that would have been prohibitively expensive when he was directing at the turn of the century can be created much more easily now.

But, of course, the finale had certain expectations that had to be hit, and Cavanagh was aware of the high standards that were required to meet. “The tricky thing directing this, as with The Flash’s 100th episode, is that you want to honor the things that had come before, and also tell a story that if you are stepping in, and for some reason you aren’t up to date, you will still get something from the story. You will be able to follow the story and understand the stakes. With The Flash, we were like, ‘well, what if the Flash has to go back in time and revisit some great moments to gain tools to defeat this bad person who’s threatening his livelihood and central city’s livelihood in the present?’ It was a way of simplifying the story and also honoring the things that have come before. On Superman & Lois, they’ve met, they’ve had a Genesis story, they’ve had children. All four of the main characters have been on these plethora of adventures, and it’s been exciting to watch. What’s nice is that the finale – without spoilers, it does not feel like suddenly we’re reaching out to cap off this storyline, and that storyline, and that storyline, and in 17 different ways your head’s being turned as a viewer. It’s not that at all. It’s one simple, geniusly simple story, where the family suddenly has the greatest threat that they’ve ever faced, and they have to overcome that in the entire 60 minutes. Everybody has to participate in their own way. It’s extremely satisfying that as a director on the finale, you didn’t feel like you were picking up other pieces that had been strewn across the main street of Smallville throughout the first 14 episodes. I felt like right now, we’ve gotten to the climax of the story, and we’re telling that, and everybody’s invested.”

For Cavanagh, this investment meant being sure to satisfy in two major categories: “heart” and “moments.” The desire for those two things elicits memories of The Flash‘s Season 1 finale. “I’ve been a part of finales where they’ve whiffed, and I’ve been a part of the Season 1 finale on The Flash where it was really satisfying. We stripped it down and pared it down to ‘Flash versus his nemesis.’ We built up a full season, and then at the season finale, we fought,with all the emotions that have been pent up to 21, 22 episodes, and that catharsis was right there for the viewers, that you built up to the way like you would do over the course of 120-minute movie, where it’s like, here’s your last 15 minute sequence, and we’re going for it. It’s extremely satisfying to an actor when it’s used so closely to the story that you’re trying to tell, and it’s not always possible when you’re trying to add up and make sure that everybody gets satisfied.”

For Superman & Lois, it’s a different type of challenge. “The Superman & Lois finale comes down to a make or break question for the family. It’s almost like if you put somebody on an island, and [tell them that] here are the threats: ‘Will you survive?’ When you pare it down and make it simple like that, that makes a really, really good television. That’s the heart of it. And then the moments, that’s something that I feel like, as a director, I can I can offer to actors, because I’m an actor, and my experience has been largely that you give an actor a moment, and that will be incredibly satisfying for the actor,” he explained.

“The actors out there know what I’m talking about. Actors have reels, which contain those moments that are under a minute, and often times, a matter of seconds,” Cavanagh illustrated. “On this show, I fought really hard to give each of the characters, not just the leads, but all of the people you’ve come to know on this show a moment as an actor that I felt would be gratifying there.” As an example, there’s a scene in the finale with Erik Valdez where Kyle looks banged up, and after Cavanagh yelled “cut,” Erik exclaimed “That’s going on my reel!”

“The people who watch the show will recognize it right away,” Cavanagh continued, “but it’s not just him. There are also some near the tail end of the show, for the family, there are some for the kids…. there are a lot of moments that I think an actor could ball up and put on a reel.” So, when you watch tonight, keep an eye out for the “heart” and the “moments.”

As for directing more superhero magic, is there more coming from Tom Cavanagh in the upcoming TV season, “The powers that be at Warners, and The CW, and HBO Max have made a lot of offers, and it’s just a matter of whether the two schedules can meet in the middle somewhere. That’s something we’re working on right now,” he said. And might we see Cavanagh back as Eobard Thawne or Harrison Wells before The Flash series makes it to the finish line?

“This is my fourth show now with Greg [Berlanti]… gosh, darn, that dates both of us,” he said without giving a direct “yes” or “no.” “We’ve always liked working together, and our understanding has always been that people want to see Batman go up against the Joker ultimately, and Superman at some point has got to reckon with Lex Luthor and Zod, the Flash has to have his come-to moments with Reverse-Flash. There’s no doubt. I know how that’s how Grant Gustin feels, and that’s how Greg feels, and that’s how I feel. So, to me, I feel like you’d be cheating if you didn’t bring the arch-enemies together to try and gain some level of conclusion there. Interpret that answer how you will, Craig,” he teased.

But, this week, Cavanagh’s focus is on Superman & Lois. “There are not many stories that have been told generation after generation, and Superman is one of those rare properties that gets passed down from mothers and fathers to sons and daughters, and so on and so on, and there are reiterations and re-interpretations for each generation,” Tom said. “What’s interesting about what Greg Berlanti and Todd Helbing and Warner Brothers have done with this take is that instead of trying to amp it up even more in the age of digital and technology, they’ve pared it down to the heart of it, which I think is extremely smart. Their way of talking about it is ‘what would a family be like if one of the heads of the family was Lois Lane, and the other head of the family was Superman? These two iconic characters.’ It’s a very smart move.”

The Superman & Lois season finale airs TONIGHT (August 17) on The CW.

Related Topics:interview Superman & Lois Superman & Lois season finale Tom Cavanagh will Tom Cavanagh return to The Flash

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Interviews

Superman & Lois: Michael Bishop Discusses Jon’s New Powers & Season 4

Interview with Michael Bishop about Season 4 of the Superman & Lois TV series airing Mondays on The CW

Published

1 week ago

October 25, 2024

Craig Byrne

Michael Bishop joined the cast of The CW’s Superman & Lois in the third season, taking over the role of “Jonathan Kent” from Jordan Elsass who played the role in Seasons 1 and 2. For the first three seasons, Jonathan was the brother who didn’t have powers, with Alex Garfin‘s “Jordan” being the one who inherited some Kryptonian from his Super dad. Those things changed in the third episode of Season 4, as now Jon has abilities… and he seems pretty good at using them.

KryptonSite’s Craig Byrne recently interviewed Michael Bishop about Jon’s power increase as well as his experience of doing the show which is now four episodes in to its final season. New episodes of the show air Mondays at 8PM on The CW, with the next new episode “Break the Cycle” airing on October 28. And of course, our first question involves — you knew it — the powers.

KRYPTONSITE: How long have you been waiting for Jonathan to get powers?

MICHAEL BISHOP: I’ve been rooting for him to get powers all along. I mean, I loved the storyline that he was a hero without the powers, and I thought that was such an interesting dynamic between Jon and Jordan, and I think it was really a beautiful story, but I think it’s just about time that this guy became the hero that he truly is, because he’s been showing signs of being a true hero from Day One. He’s had his ups and downs, but I think he’s always had that heroic heart and that heroic mindset, and so it was really exciting to be told that that’s what we were doing this season, because I think it’s a great service to the fans. I think it was just really awesome how it played out.

When you found out that it was happening, was there also a feeling of “Finally! But the show is ending in seven episodes!”

[Laughs] Yeah, absolutely. I also thought about the fact that I booked the show, and I was like, “yes! sick! I’m going to be on the superhero show. Wait, I’m not going to get to have powers on a superhero show, and I’m going to have to live with that forever, that I was on the superhero show and I didn’t get to have powers!” But honestly, I’m happy that I got to do it for for even just one season.

Those flying scenes pretty tough. They take a lot out of your core and your back. They’re tough, but I would have done it for five more seasons, too.

Can you talk about getting to work side by side with Tyler Hoechlin doing super-feats and training as Jonathan and Clark together?

That was really fun. We hadn’t had too many one-on-one scenes before this season, and so to get that training, which I think are some of the most fun scenes ever… when you get to see someone training, which I think are some of the most fun scenes ever… I think it’s so awesome. And so, to get one of those with him and and a few other really nice moments with Tyler this season was truly wonderful.

He’s always been so welcoming from Day One. I was a little anxious. I booked the role [prior to Season 3] and started shooting within a week, and he he instantly welcomed me and gave me some wise words that made me feel really comfortable, and really settled, and really valued. And so getting to kind of have that moment with him was was really wonderful.

Is it true that you auditioned for Jonathan during the first audition process for the series?

It is! Back in 2019 or 2020, I auditioned for Jon, and it got right down to the wire, and I missed out. I was heartbroken. I always felt like “damn, I would have played a really good Jon Kent.” I really felt that, truly, and I don’t normally feel that about roles. If I miss out on them, I usually go “all right, well, you know, that’s fine. It wasn’t meant to be.” But with this one, I was sure that was my role!

Jordan Elsass did a fantastic job with Jon, but to have the role come back to me in this way was so surreal and so incredible. I’m forever grateful.

They paired you with a different Jordan in the audition, right?

Yeah. You know, all of these audition processes…. they’re really interesting, and you do some really fun things. But at the time, it was a great lesson of dealing with heartbreak. But I’m so happy that it came back in this way.

When you did that first audition for Jonathan, were you surprised, since in the comics, he is the son who has the powers?

I was, because Jordan’s an original character, right? I thought it was a really interesting spin. But also, I didn’t know when I was first auditioning… it’s a little foggy for me now, but I didn’t think either of them were going to get powers. I feel like I vividly remember something in the script made me believe that neither of them were going to ever get powers. So now, for both of them to have them, and to get to have that Super Sons thing on TV is really cool. I love doing that with Alex and and I think the dynamic between the two of them is so fun.

Is there any chance that Jon might get a better costume than the dorky goggles look, with no offense to Alex, who had to wear it previously?

[Laughs] That costume is ridiculous!

All I will say about the Snoopy fighter pilot costume is that is that I look just as ridiculous in that costume as Alex does. So it’s not Alex. It is definitely the costume.

How do these powers continue to affect John’s relationship with Jordan, because the end of the most recent episode, they seem to be in a pretty good place?

The sibling dynamic is really interesting. It’s really hot and cold, and that feels really authentic. I have two brothers myself, and it is like that, you know? You always love each other, but you’re gonna bicker and you’re gonna have really hot and cold moments, and there are things that go unsaid, and that feels really real, and I love that we get to demonstrate that on this show.

I think both brothers are battling with a hundred different mixed feelings at the moment. Their their dad had just died and then recovered, which is like, “what the actual f%^#! What does that mean?” And they’re also dealing with their Granddad dying, and they have the terrifying Lex Luthor out to destroy everything that their family has. Jordan’s been trying to be a hero in some ways, and he’s gotten it wrong so many times, and now, Jon gets powers, and he’s got it right from the get-go, and that’s really tough. I feel like I can understand Jordan’s jealousy and Jordan’s hardship with that. He’s trying to be proud for his brother, but it’s really difficult. And then, in the same way, Jon’s really battling with wanting to be happy for himself, but understanding that this is a pretty painful thing for his brother to see. I’m excited for that to get fleshed out some more, and hopefully we get to see the Super Sons in action!

Is it also painful or awkward to see what his father is going through at this time?

Absolutely. It humanizes this god-like figure, in a way that is so relatable and really tough to see. We’re going to see a big shift in the mindset around Superman. It humanizes him in a really, really cool way, but in a really frightening way. And I think for Jon, and Jordan, and Lois, and the rest of the family, it definitely changes their perspective on their dad, who they thought was this invincible guy. They just want the best for him.

Might we see Candice or any of Jon’s other romantic interests before the end of the series?

I think we might. I think that’s okay to tease. [NOTE: We do indeed see Candice in the new episode airing Monday, October 28. See an exclusive preview clip below!]

Jon and Candice have such a beautiful, sweet teen romance. Jon is such a lover boy and and I really love them together, and I love that he’s in love, because I think it adds another layer to this really tough dynamic where he’s now trying to be a hero and maintain that love life, and his friends, and his family, and it throws another thing into this whirlwind of emotions for him that was really fun to play off.

Is there a part of you that ever wanted to see Jon get with Sarah?

Oh, that’s really interesting. I don’t think so.

I think it’s like “bro code” at the end of the day. Jon doesn’t want anything to do with that, because that’s his brother’s gal. You know what I mean? Even if she’s not anymore, it’s just something that if my brother, in real life, ever had someone, and then I just [swooped in]… it’s just one of those things where I just feel like “you don’t go there.”

I feel like Jon’s pretty with the bro code, and also, Sarah and Jon have this really fun friendship. She’s there for him in ways that no one else is. It’s a different dynamic that he has than with anyone else in the show, and I like that we could see a little bit of that in Season 4.

I think Jon just wants Sarah and Jordan to just stay away from each other, because I think he’s been seeing the red flags for a while.

What’s the big takeaway that you’ll get from having had the Superman & Lois experience?

Biggest takeaway? I think the main thing, honestly, is that I’m really proud of myself as an actor, like stepping into this role so last minute, and really delving into this and doing the best that I possibly can for this character who is adored so greatly.

I’m so grateful that I got to work with all these wonderful people. I learned so much. I almost considered going to acting school around the time that I booked the show, and I’m so glad that this happened instead, because this was like a master class in itself. I learned so much about myself in many ways, and I honestly, I’m really proud of myself, and I’m really proud of the work that we were able to put out. And I hope fans can take away the hope that Superman & Lois gives people.

How was your last day on set?

My last day on set was great. It was really fun. Everyone was there, I remember that… I don’t know if I can say that…

We’ve seen pictures.

It was a really, really great day. It was sad, of course. I did a couple shots at the end of the day, because I wanted to have a little celebration. It was sad saying goodbye to the crew, because I know I won’t be seeing the crew I won’t be seeing too often, whereas the cast I get to see sometimes. But it was a really beautiful send off, and I’m really excited for people to see it.

Now that you have returned home, do your friends react to you differently, now that you have played the son of Superman and Lois Lane?

I’m really glad that both Alex and I get to go through this together, because I have someone to relate to. Yeah, I think I’m getting referred to as Superboy by my friends more now than Michael, so I think I have to live with that for a little while.

I’m just really glad that Alex is probably going through the exact same thing, so we get to share that together.

My friends and family are just really proud of me, and they love the show. I couldn’t be more grateful for all of them.

Is there any chance you might reunite with the cast to do some fan conventions in the future?

I would love to do some fan conventions. It’s really tough because I’m from Australia, and I know it’s expensive to get me out there, but I would love to show up at those. So if any of the cons or the con people are [reading this], make a petition to get me there, because I would love to be at them. I’d love to do that with Tyler and Bitsie and Alex and everyone, because as many times as I can see them, it is another wonderful memory that I get to share with them.

Is there anything specific you’d like to say to the fans that will be reading this interview?

I would love to say “thank you so much.” I was so terrified coming onto this show. I know you all loved Joh so dearly, and I am so delighted that you feel that I was able to bring this character to life in a way that made you all happy. I just can’t thank you enough, because this could have gone really sour for me. They say it was a big gamble. Being a recast, it’s always a tough thing, but I think I got really, really lucky. I wouldn’t be as content as I am right now without all of your love and your support for my Jon.

Superman & Lois has another new episode “Break the Cycle” airing this Monday, October 28 on The CW. Get caught up with past Season 4 episodes on CWTV.com or the CW app!

Interviews

Superman & Lois EPs Discuss Jonathan’s Big Change

Superman & Lois showrunners Todd Helbing and Brent Fletcher discuss Jonathan Kent’s new situation after the episode “Always My Hero.”

Published

3 weeks ago

October 15, 2024

Craig Byrne

SPOILER WARNING: Do not read this article if you have not yet seen Superman & Lois Episode #4.3 “Always My Hero” which aired October 14 on The CW.

After more than three seasons, it’s finally happened: Jonathan Kent (Michael Bishop) has powers!

In the lead-up to Superman & Lois Season 4, KryptonSite spoke with showrunners Todd Helbing and Brent Fletcher about the new season (full interview here), but some things had to be held for spoilers, and this is one of those things.

“We thought it was kind of an interesting paradox,” Brent Fletcher said about the decision to finally give Jonathan Kent powers. “He’s been a kid without them for so long, and he’s been looking through the looking glass at his brother, especially at a point where things were sour. To let a kid that really wanted this thing finally get the Corvette and be able to be able to take it out of the garage was a joy for us to talk about. We thought it would be fun on screen and then we talked about it forward for the season. There are some interesting stories that come with it. We think it brings a new dynamic to that brother relationship, which we’re always interested in exploring,” he continued.

Todd Helbing stressed that even with powers, the dynamic with Jonathan and his brother Jordan (Alex Garfin) won’t completely change. “They’re still brothers. They still have these differences in what they can and can’t do. We just wanted to take that idea and explore it at the next level, so you’re going to see Jonathan exploring this newfound ability, and Jordan trying to figure out how now he fits into this dynamic,” he added.

Unfortunately, this change will make Jordan feel “less than” for the first time in a while. He was unsuccessful against Lex, his brother has powers, and he’s heard about his mother’s choice when picking one son to save. “It just hasn’t been a good run for him and then to see his twin brother on the up is an interesting place to put somebody, and we felt like that was going to be good terrain to explore,” Fletcher teased.

KryptonSite has learned that “comic book fans will be very happy” with Jonathan’s trajectory — what that will ultimately mean, we don’t know. A costume? Maybe. Jay? Probably not. In any event, new episodes of Superman & Lois air Mondays at 8PM ET/PT on The CW.

Interviews

Superman & Lois Post-Mortem: Showrunners Discuss [SPOILER]’s Death

Superman & Lois showrunners discuss the death of a character in the Season 4 episode “Always My Hero.”

Published

3 weeks ago

October 14, 2024

Craig Byrne

WARNING: Spoilery events from the October 14 episode of Superman & Lois titled “Always My Hero” are being discussed in this article. If you haven’t watched yet, bookmark this page, wait until you’ve seen it, and come read after you’ve screened the episode!

It went by so fast… and with those words, we say goodbye to General Sam Lane (Dylan Walsh) who sacrificed himself to Doomsday with a final plan to save the life of Superman. He literally gave his heart for the man whose heart is shared with Sam’s daughter — Lois’ husband, Superman, who appears to be able to recover in the Fortress of Solitude.

Leading into the fourth season, KryptonSite spoke with Showrunners Brent Fletcher and Todd Helbing about what Dylan Walsh brought to General Lane over these four seasons of Superman & Lois. [According to a social media post by his wife, Dylan Walsh only appears in two episodes for this final season, so this is it.]

“Dylan brought everything, ” Brent Fletcher said. “He’s such an incredible actor, and couldn’t have knocked it out of the park more than he did with his performance in Episode 3.”

“Just the idea of Sam making the ultimate sacrifice to bring Superman back, we felt, was really the only way to do it and justify him coming back, because it’s such a big thing. When you kill Superman, you have to live with it for a while, and if you’re going to bring him back, it needs to have consequences and stakes. It shouldn’t just be something simple and easy and everybody lives happily thereafter. We wanted everything to feel real and lived in,” he continued. “Death is a big thing, and we didn’t want our audience to think that we were playing lightly with it just because it had been done in comics before. We felt having Sam make that sacrifice was a way to earn it, because people love him so much, and we love him so much.”

The characters of the show recently went through losing Superman, and now, they will be saying goodbye to a father figure and grandfather who touched them all. Only seven episodes of Superman & Lois remain, but Sam Lane’s impact and sacrifice will surely reverberate for weeks to come.

Superman & Lois airs Mondays at 8PM ET/PT on The CW.