Even as The CW’s Arrowverse is going through the universe-ending Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, it hasn’t stopped plans for each of the series’ future. Deadline has reported Supergirl‘s fifth season will see the return of the fifth-dimensional trickster imp Mister Mxyzptlk with Thomas Lennon (Reno 911!) in a recurring role.
Mxyzptlk (pronounced Miks-yez-pit-el-ik) is a powerful imp from the Fifth Dimension who causes all sorts of trouble for Superman and his family on a frequent basis. He first appeared in Supergirl‘s second season for a two-part episode, then played by Peter Gadiot, after falling for Supergirl and attempting to wed her by any means necessary.
Mxyzptlk was first introduced in 1944 and has often played a lot of pranks and tricks on Superman, never leaving for his own dimension until Superman meets the conditions of his visit or outwits him in some way such as getting him ton say his own name backwards. Even though he’s usually been seen as a goofy character, some stories have presented a darker version of the character such as the recent Superman Reborn story or Alan Moore’s Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?. One of the most famous versions of Mxy was in Superman: The Animated Series, where he was voiced by Gilbert Gottfried.
Lennon is most known for creating and starring in the comedy series Reno 911!, where he played Lieutenant James “Jim” Ronald Dangle. The series originally ran for six seasons and spawned a movie, Reno 911!: Miami. Quibi recently announced a revival of the series which will star Lennon and the rest of the original cast.
