Smallville TV Sequel Can Fix The Biggest Problem With Tom Welling's Superman

Smallville TV Sequel Can Fix The Biggest Problem With Tom Welling's Superman Tom Welling's Clark Kent in Smallville By  Ben Gibbons Published 47 minutes ago Ben is a Senior Writer on the New TV team at Screen Rant. He graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a First Class B.A. Degree in English Literature and History. Born and raised in Ireland, Ben has always had a love for storytelling in all forms of media and operates multiple projects under the name Benjamin Blogs. Ben is a comic book writer and podcast host, in addition to his work as an entertainment journalist. He has worked as both a writer and editor for Screen Rant, Collider, and other media outlets across various departments, including features, news, reviews, and interviews. Sign in to your ScreenRant account Summary Generate a summary of this story follow Follow followed Followed Like Like Thread Log in Here is a fact-based summary of the story contents: Try something different: Show me the facts Explain it like I’m 5 Give me a lighthearted recap

Smallville was one of the most impressive Superman adaptations ever made, but it never quite got to take the story to its conclusion. Back in 2001, Tom Welling stepped into one of the most iconic roles of all time, playing a teenage version of the world-renowned hero, Superman.

However, the story set out to create something distinct from the source material, dedicating its entire runtime to unpacking who Clark Kent was before he donned the cape and began saving the world. Which led to 10 incredible seasons studying this up-and-coming superhero as he grew to become the Man of Steel.

Crisis On Infinite Earths Failed Tom Welling's Superman

Jon Cryer as Lex Luthor talking to Tom Welling as Clark Kent in Crisis on Infinite Earths

However, when the show ended, Tom Welling's Superman had still never worn the iconic red and blue suit, and he had only just begun to get recognition under the name Superman. The series concludes with Tom Welling's Clark Kent ripping off his shirt to reveal the Superman emblem, and that's it.

It was kind of an anti-climax after years of building towards Clark becoming Superman, only to tease that future with no pay off. And when Tom Welling returned for a DC TV adaptation in the Arrowverse's Crisis on Infinite Earth's, it seemed as though audiences would finally get to see Welling in the suit.

However, that didn't pan out either, as the brief cameo saw Welling's Clark Kent declare that he gave up his powers to have a life with his wife and two daughters.

Tom Welling Has Never Played A Proper Superman

Superman ripping his shirt off in Smallville

With that, Tom Welling, despite portraying the character for over a decade and being widely beloved by fans, has never really gotten to play Superman. He played Clark Kent, he played The Blur, but he never realized that full potential in a meaningful way that gave audiences what they wanted.

And despite Smallville ending in 2010, fans continue to cry out for Tom Welling to get his shot in the suit, as evidenced by the fact that fan art and tributes to his version of the hero appear frequently online.

What A Smallville Reboot Should Look Like

Laura Vandervoort and Tom Welling in an episode of Smallville

Audiences need more of Tom Welling's Superman. And while the Smallville season 11 comic book delivered a glimpse at what Clark Kent could have gone on to be, we need more from the original cast.

In saying that, it seems highly unlikely that the cast would all be down to return for a live-action sequel, though they seem to continue to passionately advocate for the show, but the rise of the DCU and their Superman presents another stumbling block to doing a major revival.

Instead, it could be a great compromise to create an animated sequel, with the original cast returning to reprise their roles. This has already been a plan for Tom Welling and his Smallville co-star, Michael Rosenbaum, who played Lex Luthor for some time.

However, development hell appears to be plaguing this attempted animated reboot. Hopefully a Smallville reboot can get its act together and deliver something that will finally see Tom Welling embrace his role as Superman, not just Clark Kent.

• Smallville

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