In My Adventures With Superman, we dive into the early days of Clark Kent's journey at the Daily Planet. Joining Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen as an intern, Clark not only discovers his true identity as a superhero but also unearths the mysteries surrounding his origins. Throughout the series, we witness Clark's growth as a reporter and witness the development of his relationships with both Lois and Jimmy. Together, the trio tackles important news stories, all while Clark transforms into the world-renowned hero, Superman.
Created by Jake Wyatt, My Adventures With Superman features an impressive lineup of executive producers, including Brendan Clogher, Sam Register, and Michael Ouweleen. Josie Campbell also serves as a producer on the series. The star-studded cast includes Jack Quaid as Clark Kent/Superman, Alice Lee as Lois Lane, and Ishmel Sahid as Jimmy Olsen. Perry White and Mr. Mxyzptlk, iconic allies and adversaries of both Clark Kent and Superman, will also make their appearances throughout the series.
Alice Lee & Ishmel Sahid on My Adventures With Superman
: Alice Lee and Ishmel Sahid on Portraying Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen in My Adventures With SupermanScreen Rant recently interviewed Alice Lee and Ishmel Sahid, who are set to play the iconic characters of Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen in the upcoming series, My Adventures With Superman. During the interview, Lee and Sahid shared their thoughts on the roles they have undertaken. Sahid particularly emphasized the significance of representation in superhero narratives, while Lee shed light on the unique aspects that Quaid brings to the portrayal of Clark Kent.
Screen Rant: I love the energy this Superman series brings. What sets it apart is its equal focus on not only Superman, but also Lois and Jimmy. Tell us about your approach in making these depictions of Lois Lane and Jimmy Olson distinguishable from previous live-action and animated interpretations of the characters.
Alice Lee: I aimed to infuse my own unique style into the character, staying true to the show's distinctive tone and creating my own interpretation of Lois Lane. I had complete faith in the process and the creators, trusting that my portrayal aligned with their vision for the series. Ultimately, my goal was to bring the essence of Alice into Lois Lane and do justice to the character.
Ishmel Sahid: I wanted to bring my own individuality to the role, infusing a youthful energy and making Jimmy a cool character. I believe I succeeded in capturing that spirit effectively, making him the coolest member of the cast. My intention was to bring a fun and lively essence to Jimmy, hoping that it would resonate with the audience.
I appreciate Lois's badass nature in this. Why do you think it's crucial to emphasize her strength, particularly when Superman is consistently the hero?
Alice Lee: Well, as a woman, it's a timeless aspect that she can stand on her own and be a fiercely independent individual even without Clark or Superman. From the beginning, she possessed these qualities. Additionally, I believe they complement each other, pushing one another to improve and develop. This applies to their relationship with Jimmy as well; they genuinely function as a team. Having a powerful female protagonist like Lois is simply refreshing.
Ishmel, we get to explore the early days of Lois, Clark and Jimmy. Can you talk about Clark and Jimmy's relationship in My Adventures With Superman?
Ishmel Sahid: Without delving into extensive details or spoiling anything, they are incredibly close friends who always support one another. Jimmy isn't solely known as Superman and Clark's friend; he has his own heroic experiences as well.
Furthermore, we witness a realistic portrayal of a friendship between two individuals in their twenties. It showcases not only their encounters with superheroes but also the dynamics of their work relationships and the unwavering bond they share. They navigate through ups and downs, but ultimately, their loyalty remains intact. This allows us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of their friendship.
One aspect I truly adore about this show is how Superman grapples with genuine personal struggles, which, in my opinion, adds a human touch to the character. The key to an exceptional portrayal of Superman lies in a remarkable depiction of Clark Kent, and I firmly believe that Jack Quaid brings an extraordinary essence to the role of Clark Kent. Alice, what unique elements did he bring to both Clark and Superman that may not have been present on the written page?
Alice Lee: Undoubtedly, Jack brought his own self, his essence, to the table. And I believe this encompasses his goodness as a person. He exudes kindness, humility, youthfulness, and almost a sense of innocence, not to mention his incredible humor. He delivers such hilarious moments on the show. When you hear Clark Kent, Jack seamlessly embodies the character both as Clark Kent and Superman. It feels so organic. He absolutely nailed it.
I believe this show fills the void that Superman has been missing in media for the past few years. What do you believe is the key to telling an enjoyable and captivating Superman story? Because this show perfectly captures the essence of what I was looking for.
Ishmel Sahid: It's important to find a balance between staying true to the source material and presenting your own interpretation or vision of how you want the audience to perceive it. We need to ensure that all those essential elements are executed flawlessly.
With us, we made a sincere effort to empower the writers and producers, who put their focus on portraying the genuine relationships and humanity shared by these friends. As you mentioned, we witness their journey and challenges as they navigate their early 20s, testing their bond of friendship and encountering various obstacles.
Once you have a compelling story that encompasses a clear beginning, middle, and end, you can enhance it further by incorporating the essence of Superman. This combination creates a delightful blend, resulting in a highly satisfying outcome that will pleasantly surprise the audience.
What did you find most compelling or surprising about each of your carry story arcs as you explore the early years?
Ishmel Sahid describes how Jimmy's character development is impressive. He goes beyond being a sidekick and is tested in terms of his purpose as a friend and as an individual. One interesting aspect of his character is his deep involvement in conspiracy theories, which was enjoyable to explore. It was fascinating to portray someone who passionately believes in these theories, even though they may be viewed as crazy by others. This involvement brings a sense of truthfulness to the story, as Jimmy firmly believes in the existence of aliens and Bigfoot. It was a great experience to bring this aspect of Jimmy's character to life.
Alice Lee: The significance of representation in superhero narratives cannot be overstated.
Ishmel Sahid: This is crucial, particularly in regards to this matter. Previously, Jimmy was portrayed as a white character with red hair, if I recall correctly. However, there has been a shift and he is now depicted as black on the show.
Moreover, he is also considered the most impressive person in the show.
Ishmel Sahid: Not only does he have incredible hair, but it's crucial to have representation. Regardless of our race, we all envision ourselves as superheroes. Witnessing the possibility of different ethnicities taking on these roles serves as a powerful inspiration. After all, many of our beloved heroes are typically extraterrestrials or from other worlds. Hence, it's paramount to humanize them and showcase their diversity, allowing them to be portrayed as Asian, Black, Hispanic, and various other identities. It's truly amazing.
About My Adventures With Superman
During the inception of Clark Kent, Jimmy Olsen, and Lois Lane's tenure at the Daily Planet, they collaborate as interns in an endeavor to establish their reputations by covering significant news stories. Concurrently, Clark assumes the persona of Superman and delves deeper into unraveling the enigma surrounding his past.
Take a look at our exclusive interview with the producers of My Adventure With Superman, Jake Wyatt, Brendan Clogher, and Josie Campbell. Be sure to catch the premiere of My Adventures With Superman on July 6th on Adult Swim, followed by its debut on Max the next day.