As a die-hard fan who grew up watching Smallville and witnessing the journey of Clark Kent from a small-town farm boy to Superman, I can’t help but feel a sense of nostalgia when hearing about Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum’s proposed animated spinoff series. The chemistry between these two iconic characters has always been captivating, and the idea of revisiting their story in an animated format is simply enthralling.
Although James Gunn’s new movie for DC Universe might be carrying on Superman’s legacy, I’d also love to see another kind of continuation – a sequel to the beloved series “Smallville,” starring Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum in animated form. However, it appears that a key event is necessary for this proposed spinoff to become a reality, and surprisingly, it hasn’t happened yet according to the former CW actor.
Although Smallville concluded in 2011, fans haven’t forgotten about Clark Kent’s transformative journey from a farm boy in Kansas to embodying his Kryptonian roots as the renowned superhero. In the final episode of the long-running CW series, Michael Rosenbaum made a comeback as Lex Luthor, but his villainous character’s memory was erased, leaving room for future conflicts without Superman’s identity being known. The Daily Planet pairing of Clark and Lois were on the verge of tying the knot after seven years, but first, Clark took to the skies and unveiled his iconic suit before flying off.
At Comic Con Stockholm, Screen Rant interviewed Tom Welling about the recent progress on their proposed animated “Smallville” series together with Michael Rosenbaum. The actor shared a potential roadblock that must be overcome before the project can move forward: a necessary development or decision.
We want it to work. The honest answer is we have not been able to get Warner Brothers to give us the thumbs up. We need their permission. [Laughs] We haven’t even gotten a response! It’s the weirdest thing because it is more of a fan-driven idea. It’s not going to be a blockbuster. It’s not going to be a financial windfall for any of us. We all like each other, we all like working together, and if we could do it, it’d be fun. But Warner Bros. – and I’m not hating on them – they just haven’t gotten back to us. It’s not a priority for them. It’s like a not-returning-phone-calls-thing. [laughs]
Could it be possible that you’re pondering the same question as me: why is DC Studios taking so long to move forward? Given the enduring popularity of superhero content, with Marvel’s upcoming films and shows, as well as ongoing successes like The Batman and The Penguin, one might expect DC Studios to capitalize on this momentum. Furthermore, considering the massive impact that Smallville had during its decade-long run, launching the careers of actors such as Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Kristin Kreuk, Justin Hartley, and many others, it seems a strategic move for DC Studios to build upon this legacy.
Clark Kent’s origin story made history on the WB by debuting as the network’s series premiere with 8.4 million viewers, and it went on to win Emmy and Teen Choice Awards. Given Smallville’s massive fanbase, I’m convinced ratings would skyrocket for a potential animated spinoff. However, due to recent changes within DC Studios, it seems a Smallville spinoff series may not be top priority at this time.
In 2022, DC Studios emerged as a new entity following the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery Inc., effectively dissolving DC Films. The newly formed studio seems to be focusing on finding its footing before venturing into proposed spinoff series. Meanwhile, Smallville creators Al Gough and Miles Millar are keen on reviving their beloved series, but Tom Welling has been occupied with the Netflix show Wednesday. Perhaps once James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film hits theaters and we see Clark Kent resume his journey after Season 10 of Smallville, there might be renewed interest in revisiting this popular storyline.
At this point, there’s no clear indication of what the storyline for a possible Smallville spinoff might entail. In the Arrowverse crossover “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” an unexpected turn was unveiled: Clark Kent relinquished his powers to lead a normal life with his wife, Lois, and their daughters on the Kent Family farm. This twist seems to be specific to the Arrowverse and it’s uncertain if the Smallville: Season 11 comic series will influence the spinoff, given that the actor from Lucifer hasn’t delved into those comics yet.
If we can just get Warner Bros. to respond to Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum regarding our proposed series idea, let’s make that happen! I find it hard to believe that after three years since the pitch, it hasn’t come to fruition yet. However, with the upcoming 2025 theatrical release of Superman: Legacy on July 11th, there might be a resurgence in interest for the return of Welling’s Superman from Smallville. Until then, you can catch all ten seasons of the popular CW series on your Hulu subscription.
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2024-11-08 16:37