The series was originally announced in May 2021 as a two-season order intended to air on Cartoon Network and stream on HBO Max, but in March 2023 it was shifted to Adult Swim's nighttime block instead, even though the show was not necessarily designed for an adult audience.

After the formation of DC Studios, the production crew showed the series' opening sequence to co-CEO James Gunn, who reportedly liked it and allowed the show to continue production without interference.

The third season, premiering in 2026, is inspired by the 1993 comic storyline 'Reign of the Supermen,' though showrunner Jake Wyatt stated it would not be a direct retread of the comics but rather explore 'What's a Superman?' through impostors with the same power set but different values.

Producer Josie Campbell cited Richard Donner's 1978 Superman film as a huge influence, particularly the chemistry between Margot Kidder's Lois Lane and Christopher Reeve's Superman, aiming for the same kind of wide co-viewing audience appeal for kids, teens, and adults.

Other influences on the series include the 1986 comic limited series The Man of Steel, the works of Dan Jurgens, Jon Bogdanove, and Louise Simonson, as well as shonen anime like Neon Genesis Evangelion, Gurren Lagann, and Shin Godzilla.

Superman's magical transformation sequence was inspired by the Pretty Cure franchise, specifically Cure Mermaid from Go! Princess PreCure, an idea suggested by storyboarder Jessica Zammit and embraced by the creative team, as noted by series director Diana Huh.

Darren Criss, cast in season 3 as Superboy, had previously voiced Clark Kent / Superman in the Tomorrowverse line of DC animated movies.

A six-issue comic book miniseries based on the show, written by producer Josie Campbell, was published by DC Comics in 2024 to bridge the story between seasons one and two, based on an unproduced storyline originally intended for season one.