---
title: "Why Is Jon Cryer Not Playing Lex Luthor on Superman & Lois"
date: 2023-12-28T22:56:29+08:00
draft: false
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tags: ["Jon Cryer"]
categories: ["entertainment"]
description: "-"
url: "/blog/9"
image: "https://cdn.justjaredjr.com/wp-content/uploads/headlines/2023/01/why-is-jon-cryer-not-playing-lex-luthor-on-superman-and-lois.jpg"
type: "post"
---


A new actor was announced to be playing Lex Luthor in the upcoming third season of Superman & Lois on Tuesday (January 24).

After the news was revealed, many were wondering why Jon Cryer couldn’t reprise the role after previously portraying the supervillain on Supergirl.

Resurfaced tweets from Jon in December 2022 give more insight into why he won’t be back.


Over a month ago, it was revealed that the CW series was casting for the role, and fans had tagged the former Two and a Half Men star, wondering why he couldn’t step in.

Jon revealed that he didn’t have time as he will be starting a new show in February, however, he did get a heads up about the casting decision.


“Would’ve been fun. But I’m not sure I could’ve played Lex on @cwsupermanlois even if they wanted to do this,” he [tweeted](https://twitter.com/MrJonCryer/status/1603062900159119361). “I’m supposed to start shooting a new series for NBC in February.”

He then added, “And for the record, the folks at DC were very cool and gave me a heads up that the show was going a different way with character before they started looking. Most of the time, actors learn about this stuff when it comes out in the trades. I’m grateful they were classy about it.”

Another reason as to why **Jon** wouldn’t be playing Lex in *Superman & Lois* was revealed back at the end of season two.

While [**Tyler Hoechlin**](https://www.justjaredjr.com/tags/tyler-hoechlin/ "Tyler Hoechlin")‘s Superman and [**Bitsie Tulloch**](https://www.justjaredjr.com/tags/bitsie-tulloch/ "Bitsie Tulloch")‘s Lois Lane were introduced to fans on *Supergirl*, and have appeared in crossover events, they aren’t necessarily a part of the *Arrowverse* as *Superman & Lois* is standing as it’s own show.

At the end of season two, it was revealed that the events of the show don’t take place on the same Earth as other shows in the *Arrowverse*.

“It goes back to season 1. In the original \[pilot\] there were a lot of references to *Crisis* *\[On Infinite Earths\]* and there was a *Flash* mention, and when we were shooting, the original intent was to be part of the *Arrowverse*,” showrunner **Todd Helbing** told *[EW](https://ew.com/tv/superman-and-lois-not-in-arrowverse/#:~:text=Since%20the%20Arrowverse%20crossover%20Crisis,let%20showrunner%20Todd%20Helbing%20explain.)*.

“But you know, then the pandemic hit and things changed and we couldn’t do a crossover with *Batwoman*, and all of these references to *Crisis* through the pilot rewriting phase got stripped out just to make everything a little bit more clear for a broader audience,” he continued. “Then at some point in season 1 I had a conversation with DC, and we clearly wanted to put our own stamp on the show and our take on the Superman mythology. The original intent was to be part of the *Arrowverse*, but the further along we got and now, unfortunately, with the other shows being off the air, it just felt like the best decision was to have our *Superman & Lois* not be on the same Earth as the *Arrowverse*.”

He added, “Look, I get it. I get it if the fans are disappointed. It’s a lot easier to be honest, finally, to tell everybody and not feel like you’re deceiving people when I was answering these questions like ‘Why isn’t Supergirl showing up?’ or ‘Why isn’t the Flash showing up?’ I’m just glad that finally everybody knows now so we can just continue to make the best show we can.”

**Todd** also noted that the Superman and Lois we saw in the *Arrowverse* and in crossovers are different versions than on their own show.

“Everybody that you see, while some people may have similar backstories and some may be different, they’re different characters.”

Speaking of the *Arrowverse*, [quite a few stars are returning](https://www.justjaredjr.com/2023/01/04/every-arrowverse-star-returning-for-the-flashs-9th-final-season/) from different shows to rerise their roles for the final season of *The Flash*!