On of the few remaining CW superhero shows, Superman & Lois, is making a big change to its main cast of actors.
Superman & Lois is set to begin filming its third season in Vancouver, Canada this week, but it will do so without one of its main stars. Jordan Elsass, who plays Jonathan Kent in the series, will not be returning for season three and the role will be recast, according to Deadline. The CW made the change official in a statement on Tuesday evening, amid conflicting reports about the circumstances surrounding his recasting and his reasons behind it.
Some initial reports said that Elsass did not report back to work by the deadline set by the studio to appear on set, indicating he did not inform the CW ahead of time. However, a CW statement later said “Jordan Elsass has notified the Studio that he will not be returning to Superman & Lois for season three due to personal reasons.” The studio also said the role would be recast, but did not name his replacement, indicating the CW was caught off-guard.
Online speculation quickly asserted that Elsass did not report to the show because of Canada’s vaccine mandate for workers. During the filming of the second season of Superman & Lois, Elsass posted on Instagram that he was unvaccinated over concerns over possible side effects from the vaccine. The post was deleted, and unofficial reports speculated Elsass filmed in Canada with a vaccine exemption. It does not appear that the vaccine mandate was the issue in Elsass’ departure, as sources cited in a Variety report indicate it was not due to a “workplace-related issue.”
The twenty-year-old Arizona native had been out of the public spotlight in recent months, after posting a message in June on his Instagram stating that he was taking a break from social media. After appearing at the Dallas Fan Expo to promote Superman & Lois, he said he was headed to a facility for a month to deal with personal issues and his mental health. “I’ve been struggling recently with a number of things all pretty much revolving around mental health and well-being…I’m finally ready to get help and It’s a huge, huge sacrifice.”
In the post, however, Elsass indicated that he had every intention of appearing in season three of Superman & Lois, despite seeking treatment. “I barely have any time home to spend with my family and friends before I go back for season 3 of S&L,” he said. “But it’s worth it. It’s so worth it. I’m not just doing this for me but I’m doing it for the people I love.” The announcement of Elsass’ departure sent shockwaves through the Superman & Lois fanbase, as you might expect, with many taking to social media to express their shock.
IK I already commented on Jordan Elsass leaving #SupermanAndLois but it only now hit me how MUCH I liked his presence. Capturing Clarks integrity while also playing a teen is tough but he put his heart into it and it showd
GL with w/ever comes next for u Jordan. We'll miss you.
— eltigre1313 (@eltigre13131) August 17, 2022Fans considered Jordan Elsass to be the emotional core of the Superman & Lois cast, making his departure a bitter one. Elsass’ character of Jon Kent did not have powers like his twin brother Jordan, played by Alex Garfin. Despite being a gifted athlete, Jon struggled with not being superpowered, like his dad Clark (Tyler Hoechlin). Things became even more complicated in season two when the Jon Kent from the Bizarro World (also played by Elsass) crossed over into their world, fully powered and intent on evil. Elizabeth Tulloch plays Lois in the series, which will be one of the few left from the “Arrowverse” group of shows, with the recent announcement of the end of The Flash next season. The show has been widely praised for its faithfulness to the Superman mythos, and for its cast. None of the cast members have made any public statements about Elsass’ departure and recasting. A premiere date for season three has not been announced. Elsass had previously appeared in the series Little Fires Everywhere and Panic.
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