‘We’re Ready:’ Tom Welling Gives Huge Update on Smallville Revival

'We're Ready:' Tom Welling Gives Huge Update on Smallville Revival

As a movie critic who grew up watching Superman on TV and was captivated by Smallville during its 10-year run, I can say that the prospect of an animated reboot is nothing short of exhilarating. The idea originated from Michael Rosenbaum himself, which, considering his earlier comments about being glad the show ended in 2011, has me scratching my head and wondering if he’s been bitten by a Kryptonite radioactive spider!


Acclaimed as one of the greatest superhero TV series ever made, Smallville left a significant void in fans’ hearts when it concluded in 2011. Discussions about bringing the show back have persisted since then, with ideas ranging from a reboot to an updated animated version spearheaded by Tom Welling himself. In Smallville, Welling played a young Clark Kent grappling with his powers before eventually assuming the role of Superman. The cunning Lex Luthor was portrayed by Michael Rosenbaum, who seems to be the driving force behind this animated project as well.

According to Fandom Spotlite, Welling attended Terrificon recently to talk about all things related to Smallville. When asked if there were any Superman stories he’d like to pen in comic book form, it was during this conversation that Welling shared his long-standing plans for an animated adaptation of Smallville.

“For quite some time now, Michael Rosenbaum, Kristin Kreuk, Erika Durance, Laura Vandervoort, and John Glover (including myself) have been discussing the concept of creating a Smallville comic book and animated series. This idea, initially sparked by Michael, involves each of us voicing our respective characters. We’ve already found an artist and designed a poster for it, though we can’t reveal it just yet. The poster features Lionel Luthor towering over everyone, which looks really impressive. However, we need DC’s approval to proceed, as they hold the rights to the project. Al and Miles, the writers of Smallville, are eager to write this continuation if given the go-ahead, but until then, it remains an exciting idea that we’re ready to bring to life.”

It’s surprising to learn that the idea for a Smallville animated series originated from Rosenbaum, considering he admitted earlier this year that he seldom watched the show during its initial broadcast, and while he felt proud of his time on the popular The WB/CW series, he was relieved when it ended by 2011.

Will Smallville Work Today as an Animated Series?

'We're Ready:' Tom Welling Gives Huge Update on Smallville Revival'We're Ready:' Tom Welling Gives Huge Update on Smallville Revival'We're Ready:' Tom Welling Gives Huge Update on Smallville Revival'We're Ready:' Tom Welling Gives Huge Update on Smallville Revival

Over the past decade, viewers have followed Clark, Lex, Lana, Lionel, and others on their live-action journeys in Smallville. Now, the idea of bringing back Smallville as an animated series raises a question: could it captivate audiences today? It’s clear that diehard Superman fans would be eager to watch, but what about the broader audience of Smallville? As a trailblazer for introducing a new generation to Superman, Smallville played a crucial role in keeping their interest. However, have these viewers remained connected enough with the character to desire an animated narrative?

From my perspective, a well-executed animated adaptation of Smallville seems promising, judging by the success I’ve witnessed in ‘My Adventures with Superman’. The involvement of Alfred Gough and Miles Miller, creators of many cherished Smallville moments, definitely sparks curiosity. As long as it deviates from a simple retelling of the series with animated characters and presents fresh, continuation-based stories such as Lex serving as president and Clark revealing his S-Shield, it could appeal to both the original audience and draw in new fans intrigued by its rich origins.

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2024-08-27 22:31