Tyler Hoechlin on Superman’s relevance in the time of global upheaval

Tyler Hoechlin

Actor Tyler Hoechlin (heck-lin), who recently appeared in episodes of “Supergirl” as the Man of Steel himself, Superman, didn’t exactly think about deliberately veering away from the portrayal of Henry Cavill, who’s playing the Kryptonian superhero on the big screen.

“Honestly, the only Superman show or movie I had ever watched was ‘Lois and Clark,’” Hoechlin told the Inquirer in an e-mail interview. “Once I found out that I was going to play this role, I purposely stayed away from watching any of the Superman movies so that I could just play the character with the instincts I had about him.”

The former child actor once costarred with Tom Hanks in “Road to Perdition.” He appeared in several seasons of “7th Heaven,” and eventually had a crucial role in the rebooted “Teen Wolf” series.

Now 29, Hoechlin is one of several guests in this year’s AsiaPop Comicon at SMX Convention Center, which begins today and ends on Aug  27.

Tyler Hoechlin (left) and Melissa Benoist

Excerpts from the interview:

How did you prepare for the Superman role? Just by researching more about the history of the character—his origins and the evolution of the character in the comics. And I wanted anything I did to be solely from what came to me when I read the scripts. That way, any similarity or difference would only be unintentional. I didn’t want to be conscious of any other actor’s performance.

What is the relevance of portraying Superman, especially in these times of global upheaval? Superman is a symbol—and a force—for good, and for justice. In these times, it’s incredibly important to have as many of the symbols as possible.

Which previous Superman actor is your favorite? Dean Cain [of “Lois and Clark”] was my Superman growing up. I always saw him as the best of us, the one who always did the right thing.

To the point that it never even seemed like there [was] another choice to make, but the right one.

Which cast member are you close to? How is it behind the scenes? The entire cast is so much fun to be around with. I wouldn’t be able to pick out just one. We have way too much fun behind the scenes.

How active is Superman going to be in the next season of “Supergirl”? Are you ready for your own spin-off? That’s definitely a decision to be made by many other people who don’t include myself. So I guess we’ll have to wait and see. But I look forward to finding out!

You grew up in the business. What lessons do you value the most about longevity? Be nice. Be a good person, and treat everyone on set just as well as the next. That’s what I learned from all the people I’ve worked with that I look up to.

You’re reprising your “Teen Wolf” character, Derek, and Superman—what about the fantasy and sci-fi genres appeal to you? They’re both fun genres to play in. They allow you to use your imagination because you’re already breaking the rules of what the world is as we know it. So there’s a lot of freedom to explore things with the characters.

If you really had the powers of Superman, what would you do to improve the world? I’d try to do exactly what he does. Stand up for good and fight against evil.

Fight for the side that chooses to spread love and call for unity, and stand up against those who choose to spread the message of hate and intolerance.