Powerless Showrunner Explains How The Show Connects To DC Extended Universe

01/19/2017 02:01 am EST

While Powerless might no longer revolve around an insurance company that strives to make people whole after superhero battles have shattered their lives, the high concept -- a group of everyday heroes who live in the shadow of the heroes and villains of the DC Universe -- remains the same.

In fact, if anything, the show's ties to the DC Universe have become more overt and less jokey since original showrunner Ben Queen left and Alan Tudyk's character became Bruce Wayne's cousin.

"I wasn't a Wayne before and now I am; totally better," Tudyk joked with reporters earlier today at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour.

Showrunner Patrick Schumacker told reporters that Powerless takes place on its own Earth in DC's Multiverse, which he referred to as Earth-P, and that it's separate not only from The CW's "Berlantiverse" or Arrowverse shows, but also from the DC Extended Universe.

"Batman v Superman and Man of Steel are the cinematic universe, the Berlanti-verse is its own thing and Earth-P is its own thing," Schumacker said. "We don't treat the films as things that have happened within this world."

Still, as fans who have seen either version of the pilot's trailers will tell you, overt references to Batman, Superman, and more are in no short supply on Earth-P. They'll even apparently poke a little fun at movie adaptations of Superman and Batman...however that works.

In a world where humanity must cope with the collateral damage of Super Heroes and Super-Villains, Emily Locke (Vanessa Hudgens) begins her first day as Director of Research & Development for Wayne Security, a subsidiary of Wayne Enterprises that specializes in products that make defenseless bystanders feel a little safer. Full of confidence and big ideas, Emily quickly learns that her expectations far exceed those of her new boss (Alan Tudyk) and officemates, so it will be up to her to lead the team toward their full potential and the realization that you don't need superpowers to be a hero.

MORE: New Powerless Promo Reveals Alan Tudyk is Playing Batman's Cousin / New Powerless Promo Drops Superman Joke / NBC Debuts New Powerless Teaser / New Powerless Image Contains Batman Easter Egg / Powerless's Batman Connection / Wonder Woman's Powerless Role Explained / Powerless Trailer

Powerless premieres Thursday, February 2 at 8:30/7:30c on NBC.

h/t The Hollywood Reporter

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