Supergirl: Tyler Hoechlin Reveals What He Thinks Superman’s Greatest Power Is

We all know Superman has some pretty awesome powers. Krypton’s most famous ex-pat can shoot lasers from his eyes and lift tractor trailers. He can jump over buildings, and if he wanted, Clark Kent could skip morning rush hour and just fly to the Daily Planet for work. Superman sits as one of the most powerful superheroes of all-time, prompting fans to wage wars when they squabble over which ability is his best. And, now, Supergirl‘s own Tyler Hoechlin is weighing in on what he thinks Superman’s greatest power is.

Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, the actor indicated Superman’s most impressive power isn’t his X-Ray vision or invulnerability – it’s his ability to get on his iconic super suit. Tyler said the first time he wore Superman’s iconic outfit took a lot of prep. “The first couple of times it definitely took longer to get into,” he said. “I started to think that Superman’s greatest power was actually being able to just jump into [the suit] as quickly as he does, because it’s not quite as smooth the first couple of times you do it.”

Of course, when news broke that Tyler has been cast as Superman for Supergirl, fans were curious to see the actor in the hero’s red-and-blue suit. At just 28, Tyler’s toned physique is more than capable of pulling off Superman’s sleek ensemble, so the actor figured out a few tricks to pull the suit on. He said getting dressed was like “putting on a wetsuit” and that he found the suit would go on better if he put plastic bags over his feet and hands.

Once Tyler finally had the costume on, the actor then needed to confront a whole new challenge. Tyler said wearing the outfit was surreal. “It’s one of those things where you put it on, and it’s the nicest Halloween costume you’ve ever worn,” he explained. “Then, once you step on set, it becomes something different because people actually start addressing you as Superman. You’re in the scenes, and people are playing along that you are Superman, so that’s when it really hits you for a second. You have to then believe that you are this person.”

Fans will have to wait for Supergirl to return to see Tyler’s Superman, but the show’s executive producer has teased their vision for the hero. Andrew Kreisberg said Supergirl‘s depiction of the DC hero is “probably something a little bit more traditional….There’s a little bit of the Christopher Reeve Superman in there, a healthy dose of the Superman animated series, which we’re huge fans of, a little bit of Lois & Clark, a little George Reeves, and a little Super Friends.”

Supergirl will return to The CW this fall for its second season.