SMALLVILLE Star Tom Welling Confirms He Would Be Willing To Return As Superman For Movie Follow-Up

SMALLVILLE Star Tom Welling Confirms He Would Be Willing To Return As Superman For Movie Follow-Up

Smallville star Tom Welling has shared his thoughts on potentially returning as Clark Kent/Superman in a movie follow-up to the hit series, but admits the show's creatives have largely snubbed him since.

By JoshWilding - Jan 26, 2024 10:01 AM EST
Filed Under: Smallville
Source: Inside Of You With Michael Rosenbaum

Smallville ran for a total of 10 seasons, and while the show was arguably at its best during the first 100 episodes or so, there were still a lot of great ideas even in later years.

A series that put a very different spin on the Superman mythos, it delighted fans just as much as it frustrated them (why couldn't he fly again?), but concluded way back in 2011. This world has since been revisited as a comic book, though, while stars Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum are still thought to be plotting out some sort of animated follow-up. 

It's been a while since we've heard anything about that and we wouldn't be surprised if the project has fallen by the wayside. DC Studios has its own plans for the Man of Tomorrow with Superman: Legacy and only reluctantly allowed Superman & Lois to move forward with its fourth and final season to appease fans.

Welling recently caught up with Rosenbaum for the latter's 300th episode of his Inside of You podcast and brought up the prospect of a Smallville movie. To that, the actor said, "I mean, I'd be, 'Yes, let's hear it.' I don't know how it would happen."

He'd go on to confirm that no one involved with Smallville has ever reached out to him about that or any other new projects they've developed.

"I mean listen, I was thinking about this the other day right before we did our Talk Ville Podcast," Welling started. "We were on one of the most successful shows in the history of television, like Top 50. From that show, I've never gotten an incoming call from anyone involved in that show for further work."

"I'm not saying, like, I don't feel bad about that, I don't harp on anybody about that," he continued. "But you would think that when you're successful, [you'd continue to be successful] with successful people. But I think the time has changed."

Smallville still has a very devoted fanbase, but a movie follow-up is unlikely to be a box office hit. The Arrowverse's Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover meant we got to pick up with Clark Kent and Erica Durance's Lois Lane years after we last saw them; Rosenbaum declined to return as Lex Luthor after being offered what sounds like a dismal payday.

Throw in the fact that Welling was always unwilling to don Superman's classic costume in the series and we're not sure this follow-up would be what the majority of fans are hoping for.

Do you think Smallville should get a big screen sequel?

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bobevanz
bobevanz - 1/26/2024, 10:25 AM
You hated the suit, didn't like wearing the suit, wtf are you going to do in this movie?
BrainySleep
BrainySleep - 1/26/2024, 10:28 AM
@bobevanz - fight a giant spider
Nightwing1015
Nightwing1015 - 1/26/2024, 10:39 AM
@bobevanz - only thing I could think of would be a Logan-Esque show about a retired Clark Kent on that farm with family.

For this reason tho, I massively prefer their idea of an animated follow up
Godzilla2000Zer
Godzilla2000Zer - 1/26/2024, 10:43 AM
@bobevanz - My thoughts exactly
mastakilla39
mastakilla39 - 1/26/2024, 10:45 AM
@bobevanz - He can be a dad, watch him live and die like a human. Crisis on Infinite Earth TV version showed he gave up all his powers to be a normal dad with no superpowers. Movie will have to be a follow up to that, imagine Superman and Lois tv show but with no Superman scenes.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 1/26/2024, 10:59 AM
@bobevanz - he needs the money
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 1/26/2024, 11:01 AM
@Nightwing1015 - Now your talking Kingdom Come
elgaz
elgaz - 1/26/2024, 12:35 PM
@mastakilla39 - there is a popular fan theory that Smallville Clark only gave up his powers temporarily. Blue Kryptonite was introduced in Smallville as a version of the rock which neutralised his powers, but only when near him. And in Crisis, he’s wearing a blue watch. So maybe he could regain his powers if the situation called for it. Just a theory I guess but maybe gives them an out if they need it
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 1/26/2024, 10:26 AM
He could do it when Superman is public domain (but with leaping instead of flying, which kinda does fit for his version of the character).

Actually since WBD are acting like their IP is already public domain, he could probably just do an 'Elseworlds' movie for them in the next few years.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 1/26/2024, 11:03 AM
@ObserverIO - I wasn't a huge fan of the show (i actually am one of the few fans that really liked seasons 9 and 10) but I'd be all in on a tv movie or direct to Max film. I think it'd be successful that way. Theaters? Not a chance.
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 1/26/2024, 11:32 AM
@ObserverIO -

He flew in the show though.
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 1/26/2024, 11:40 AM
@lazlodaytona - Agreed on all points.

@HulkisHoly - Well... they could just pretend that didn't happen. It was just a really BIG leap, lol.
Doomsday8888
Doomsday8888 - 1/26/2024, 10:27 AM
They were also working on an animated project, what happened?

Reckon Gunn happened.
It will never happen, wouldn't bet on JJ Abrams' Superman either.
Arthorious
Arthorious - 1/26/2024, 11:12 AM
@Doomsday8888 - as of right now Gunn says that Abrama movie is still in the works… till Zaslav wants another tax break
HulkisHoly
HulkisHoly - 1/26/2024, 11:32 AM
@Doomsday8888 -

I thought it was a comic book
Himura
Himura - 1/27/2024, 1:19 AM
@Doomsday8888 - I dont think that animated project was ever anything solid/official. They were just asked at a Con if they were willing to do one and they both said yes.
Origame
Origame - 1/26/2024, 10:32 AM
Correction: he's saying he'd be willing to discuss a potential project dealing with Smallville after the finale.

In fact, this is part of a larger discussion about just generally working with the team again, and how it's weird they didn't at least try talking to him about more projects post Smallville.

But I guess Wilding is gonna Wilding.
elgaz
elgaz - 1/26/2024, 10:35 AM
Been watching their Smallville podcast, it's very good and lots of insight into what went on behind the scenes.
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 1/26/2024, 3:05 PM
@elgaz - Me too.
Conquistador
Conquistador - 1/26/2024, 10:35 AM
I mean i thought they used the cross over in crisis to put that to bed.. I'd be up for more welling though, if it means we get Rosenbaum' Luthor.

They missed an opportunity in Crisis though not to have him in a scene with Routh's Superman, that would have been cool as they were both in their roles in 2006.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 1/26/2024, 10:42 AM


Smallville had its ups & downs like any long running show but overall , I was and still am a fan of it..

Welling himself was never one of or even my favorite live action version of the character but I did like his Clark as we saw him come of age and into his own (maybe a little bit too late lol) throughout the show into Superman.

However , I just have no interest in a movie about it but I still hope we can get an animated follow up to the show like him & Rosenbaum we’re developing (possibly one that fills in the gaps from the end of the show to his appearance in Crisis where we found out he gave up his powers to lead a normal life).
DocSpock
DocSpock - 1/26/2024, 10:43 AM

Smallville was a fun show once upon a time.

It's time has long passed.

Tom, maybe some lame sitcom will give you a part some day. I hope you managed your money well and developed some job skill that is useful in the big bad real world.

Best of luck to you.
AnthonyVonGeek
AnthonyVonGeek - 1/26/2024, 10:46 AM
I liked Smallville when it aired but I’ve tried rewatching it quite a few times and quickly lost interest in it. 🤷‍♂️
Arthorious
Arthorious - 1/26/2024, 11:09 AM
Wasn’t he working on an animated short or something for Smallville?
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 1/26/2024, 11:10 AM
@Arthorious - it was an animated show I think.
knomad
knomad - 1/26/2024, 11:29 AM
Outside of Christopher Reeve, Welling has always been my favorite Superman actor. No one else has really caught the positivity/"hope" that Supes is supposed to embody. Just my $.02.
grif
grif - 1/26/2024, 11:30 AM
he was a producer on the show. i guess all of that moneys dried up.
elgaz
elgaz - 1/26/2024, 12:29 PM
@grif - don’t think that’s the case. He has a big ranch in North California, keeps horses etc, seems to be doing just fine.
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 1/26/2024, 11:37 AM
Tell us you’re broke without telling us you’re broke
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 1/26/2024, 11:41 AM
Would be surprised if he did considering he didn't wanna wear the suit.
TheNewYorker
TheNewYorker - 1/26/2024, 11:48 AM
NO. Please, no. In all these years, he never once played Superman.
GhostDog
GhostDog - 1/26/2024, 12:00 PM
What happened to the animated follow up they wanted to do?
KryptonCrazy
KryptonCrazy - 1/26/2024, 2:20 PM
@GhostDog - Agreed. That seemed to have traction and then disappeared.
itzayaboy
itzayaboy - 1/26/2024, 1:57 PM
If he mans up and puts the suit on, I’m for it. He would make a boatload of money and probably improve his career in doing so. Superhero suits aren’t ridiculous anymore. I mean Ryan Reynolds, Christian Bale and tons of other great leads were willing to wear suits and in some cases, capes. Cavil’s suit wasn’t even spandex it was alien weird Zack Snyder material that looked cool. Welling, we’re only interested if you put it on. Do it.
marvel72
marvel72 - 1/26/2024, 3:05 PM
Smallville was bad but still better than some of the shit we get today.
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 1/26/2024, 3:07 PM
Im don for if if he finally ready to do it. Just make you also bring back Michael Rossenbaum as Lex and Erica Durance as Lois.
Timerider
Timerider - 1/26/2024, 3:57 PM
The guy would have to lose a lot of weight, but it could be Brainiac messing with him, where he never became Superman, and Lois, Lana and of course, Luthor all stay in touch with him on the Kent farm. The Legion could return and discover the timeline has skewed on a different tangent from the original one.

Maybe you could bring back Sarah Carter as Alicia Baker too.

Michael Rosenbaum has to be Lex Luthor again, love watching him perform and animation just doesn’t cut it and you lose those emotions through animation, It has to be live action.
micvalpro
micvalpro - 1/26/2024, 5:14 PM
Mmm nah, it’s too late bro. All these years you’ve been against it because you’re Clark doesn’t wear tights. We could have had a Superman show after Smallville ended. Your time is passed(past)
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