Tyler Hoechlin. (Getty)
Tyler Hoechlin made his debut as Superman on Supergirl in the show’s season two premiere. He also appeared in the second episode, “The Last Children of Krypton,” but hasn’t been seen since. He made such an impression on the show that he should be welcomed back.
The 29-year-old actor is a familiar face, as he starred in MTV’s Teen Wolf and Seventh Heaven. He also starred in Richard Linklater’s latest film, Everybody Wants Some!!.
Here’s a look at Hoechlin’s career and how Superman will be used in Supergirl.
1. Hoechlin Understands the Importance of Superman & Has ‘Respect’ for the Role
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Hoechlin told Collider that he was called to executive producer Greg Berlanti and Andrew Kreisberg’s office for a meeting, where he was offered the role. He had no idea what the meeting was about going in.
The actor clearly understands the importance of the role, calling this an “incredibly humbling and flattering thing to be given that opportunity.”
“The interesting thing to me is meeting people who are much older than me and saying, ‘Oh Superman has always been my hero’ and shaking my hand,” he continued. “It’s such a weird position to be in because you’re not just assuming that this is a character for a younger generation, it’s for anyone who’s a fan of the character.”
2. Hoechlin Will Star in at Least 2 Episodes, but This is Still Supergirl’s Show
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Hoechlin knows that he will at least be in two episodes of Supergirl, but Kara (Melissa Benoist) is still the star of her own show.
“Who knows? Those decisions are in the hands of other people,” Hoechlin told the Associated Press when asked if he’ll be in a third episode. “We’ll see how people respond to the first two episodes and we’ll go from there.”
Executive producer Ali Adler told TVLine that two two cousins will help each other learn an important lesson. He’s not just going to swoop in an teach Kara a thing or two without learning himself.
“Kara definitely teaches him, as well. This Supergirl — it’s her show, it’s her point of view — and we waited until she literally saved the earth to bring him on. Yes, he has more experience as Superman, but they both have a lot to teach each other,” Adler said.
At the end of “The Last Children of Krypton,” Superman went back to Metropolis, but with the threat of Cadmus intensifying, it’s clear that Supergirl will need her cousin’s help again soon.
3. His Best-Known Role is as Derek Hale on ‘Teen Wolf’
Supergirl isn’t Hoechlin’s first major role in a genre show. He starred on MTV’s Teen Wolf as the werewolf Derek Hale during the show’s first four seasons.
In an interview with Today Online, Hoechlin was asked why he thought audiences love supernatural projects so much. After all, the CW show called Supernatural is entering its 12th season. The Twilight movies were also enormous successes.
“I think there’s such an element of romance, not in our show but in a lot of supernatural shows,” Hoechlin said in 2013. “Usually, at the core are these love stories. And I think when you put it into this kind of world where the stakes are higher and life and death is kinda always around you, I think it makes it that much more passionate so I think that’s why a lot of people are drawn towards about it.”
Before Teen Wolf, Hoechlin was best known for his role as Martin Brewer on seventh Heaven. He also played Tom Hanks’ son in Road to Perdition in 2002.
4. Hoechlin Will Play Boyce Fox in ‘Fifty Shades Darker’ & ‘Fifty Shades Freed’
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Happy and honored to be here.. #FSF
In February 2016, The Wrap confirmed that Hoechlin has joined the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise. He’ll play Boyce Fox in Fifty Shades Darker and Fifty Shades Freed. It’s a role that will be expanded on in the films.
In his Collider interview, Hoechlin said his casting came up during a meeting with director James Foley, who also made Glengarry Glen Ross. Hoechlin explained:
I had a great meeting with James Foley, the director, and I’m a huge fan of Glengarry Glen Ross, it’s one of my favorite movies and so it just kind of came up as an opportunity and I was excited for the chance to work with James so we said “yes”, so that was kind of the end of that. It was nice to be actually on set with James and I look forward to be making more stuff with him in the future as well.
5. He Is Now Single After Breaking Up With Brittany Snow
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Hoechlin is now single, but he rarely spoke about his long-term relationship with Pitch Perfect actress Brittany Snow. In December 2015, E! News reported that they broke up. She started “casually” dating Andrew Jenks, the filmmaker behind MTV’s World of Jenks.
Hoechlin was born in Carona, California and has two brothers and a sister. He played baseball at Arizona State University and UC Irvine, experience that came in handy when he starred in the baseball movie Everybody Wants Some!!. His next film is Simon West’s Stratton with Dominic Cooper.