Brosnahan enters a proud lineage of actors who’ve played Lois Lane, from Dana Delany (in “Superman: The Animated Series.” Delany only had her voice to play Lois, but her sharp-edged, wise-ass tone was a perfect fit) to Erica Durance (in “Smallville,” arguably the feistiest and sexiest Lois), to Amy Adams (in the now buried DC Extended Universe — even though those films never knew what to do with her).
Of course, the Lois Lane gold standard is still Margot Kidder from the Christopher Reeve “Superman” films. Kidder’s Lois is a damsel in distress, sure, but she’s also a perfect verbal sparring partner for Clark and Superman. Kidder had the feistiness that Brosnahan describes; you can’t be a good investigative reporter if you always put up with the BS. That attitude is also vital to Lois’ dynamic with Clark. Take note of how in 1978’s “Superman,” from the moment the two meet, Lois is both perplexed and charmed by Clark Kent’s dorky earnestness — opposites attract, even if Lois tries to deny it.
As for “marvelous,” I’m sure that was Brosnahan joking about Mrs. Maisel. Now, “fiercely intelligent” — a recurring Superman joke is how Lois can’t tell the two men she’s falling for are one and the same, especially since Clark disguises himself only with glasses and a veneer of being unconfident. Will Brosnahan’s Lois put the pieces together herself? I hope they don’t totally do away with secret identity hijinks (a failing of “Man of Steel” and its sequels is that Lois only ever knows Superman, not Clark Kent), but we’ll wait and see.
“Superman: Legacy” is currently scheduled for release on July 11, 2025.