Tom Welling has a new view on playing live-action Superman afterSmallville’s ending, and I believe there is only one way for that to happen. I grew up watchingSmallville, which served as my strongest source of information about Superman, Lex Luthor, Lois Lane, and all things related toDC’s Man of Steel at the time.Smallville’s ten seasonswere a perfect journey, showing how a young Clark Kent could develop his powers and mature into Superman. While Welling did appear as the Man of Steel inSmallville’s series finale,the Superman suit was CGI, save for the last shot.
It wasnever part ofSmallville’s goal to follow Welling’s Clark Kent after he became Superman, which I totally get, as the series was about his journey to Superman, not his superhero exploits as the Man of Steel. That said, I feel like the show was held back in its final seasons because ofSmallville’s famous “No Tights, No Flights” rule. The last three seasons of the show featured an adult Clark Kent in Metropolis operating as a hero in the shadows, but no Superman came due to that rule. At least Welling has now changed his mind about Superman.
I’m Excited About Tom Welling’s New Stance On Live-Action Superman
Smallville’s Clark Kent Could Finally Become Superman In Live-Action
Welling’s only time wearing the actual Superman costume was inSmallville’s final shot, where Clark opens his shirt to reveal the upper half of the Superman suit. That said, the"Smallville Season 11" comics continued the story of Welling’s Clark Kent after the show ended, showing major events of his new life as Superman, like meeting Batman and Wonder Woman, for fans of the show. While I enjoyed reading the comics and the fact that they used the likeness of the show’s actors, I always wanted to see Welling play Superman in live-action.
Well, maybe I can get my wish in the future. Welling stood bySmallville’s “No Tights, No Flights” rule in the past, but times have changed.Welling now wants to wear the Superman suit in live-action. The actor explained why he has changed his mind 13 years afterSmallvilleended. According to Welling, it’s all because of his sons, who have many Halloween costumes at home, but not a Superman suit.Welling revealed that one of his sons said it was taken by his father, saying, “I think I’m open to the idea now.” Check out the full quote below:
“You know, I think now because of the two boys that I have with my lovely wife…we have a bunch of costumes at home. It started out at the first Halloween and now we have, I don’t know, 40 or 50 costumes. The one costume we don’t have is the Superman costume. I asked my son why and he said, ‘Because he’s taken’ and I said, ‘By who?’ ‘By [you].’ That was like, ‘Alright, I think I’m open to the idea now.’ So, if you know anybody, I think it would be great. I think it would be fun to be part of.”
Tom Welling’s Superman Would Be Perfect For A DCU Crisis On Infinite Earths Movie
The Smallville Superman Can Join The DCU Through The Multiverse
If Welling is to come back as a live-action version of Superman, then I don’t think it will happen through aSmallvilleproject, but a multiverse event. The actor already has experience with those, as Welling played Clark Kent alongsideSmallville’s Lois Lane actress Erica Durancein the Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover. That is the story that I believe makes sense for Welling’s live-action Superman, but this time, it would have to be as a DC Universe movie.In the Arrowverse’s Crisis, Clark had given up his powers, but he could have been a variant ofSmallville’s Superman.
The multiverse has become a popular tool for live-action and animated superhero stories, with many successful cases both in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC productions. While James Gunn’s DCU is only starting, as the franchise establishes itself, there should be plenty of opportunities for crossovers in multiverse events down the line. A Crisis on Infinite Earths adaptation in the DCU couldallow David Corenswet’s Superman to share the screen with different versions of the Man of Steel, like Henry Cavill, Brandon Routh, and Tom Welling. I think that is too good of an opportunity for DC to pass on.
I Want The Smallville Sequel Series To Remain Animated As Planned
Tom Welling Can Play Superman In Different Mediums
While I would love to finally see Welling play Superman in live-action, I don’t think that would be the best route for aSmallvillerevival. Welling has been working on the concept of aSmallvilleanimated sequel series for years with Lex Luthor actor Michael Rosenbaum. The duo have been sharing updates over time, and Welling toldScreen RantthatSmallville’s creators would be back to write the sequel, as would the show’s cast to voice their characters. Welling also revealed what has to be resolved, saying, “We just need [the] go-ahead from DC and Warner Brothers.”
I’m Convinced That Tom Welling & Michael Rosenbaum’s Smallville Sequel Is The Perfect Replacement For Superman & Lois After It Ends
Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum are trying to get a Smallville sequel series made, and the show would be the ideal replacement for Superman & Lois.
I’m convinced thattheSmallvillesequel series could have a longer life in animated form. I loveSuperman & Lois, but the show was canceled halfway through its planned number of seasons for a few reasons, which include the DCU’s plans for Superman. By being animated, theSmallvillesequel series would firmly set itself as an Elseworlds story, not risking audience confusion and thus not interfering with the DCU. The animated medium would also openSmallville’s world in a huge way, as more prominent DC characters could appear, both due to budget reasons and DC allowing them to be used.
Smallville
Cast
Smallville chronicles the journey of Clark Kent, portraying his origins from Krypton to his teenage years on Earth. The series explores his challenges and development leading towards his destiny as the iconic hero, Superman, set against the backdrop of Smallville, Kansas.
