Essential Insights
- Cast members from Smallville are enthusiastic about an animated sequel, pending approval from DC and Warner Bros.
- Most of the original cast express a strong desire to voice their characters in the revival.
- Delays in the Smallville reboot are attributed to timing and the evolving strategy of the DC universe.
The long-anticipated revival of Smallville has received new insights from one of its prominent actors, Tom Welling. He recently shed light on the status of the prospective animated sequel that aims to continue the iconic Superman origin narrative.
Premiering in 2001, Smallville chronicled Superman’s origins over a decade, culminating in 2011. With a focus on high school dynamics, the series depicted Clark Kent’s transformation from a rural teenager to Metropolis’ protector. Welling starred as the lead character Clark Kent, alongside recognizable figures from DC lore such as Lana Lang (Kristen Kreuk), Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), Lois Lane (Erica Durance), as well as Jonathan and Martha Kent (John Schneider and Annette O’Toole). The series concluded its tenth season with Clark embracing his fate as Superman and donning his iconic suit for the first time. Yet, the journey didn’t end there; in 2013, Smallville was extended into comic book format for an eleventh season, with Welling and Durance briefly returning for DC TV’s Crisis on Infinite Earths.
The whispers of an animated revival for Smallville trace back to 2021, when Welling announced on Cameo that he and Rosenbaum were collaborating to develop the series and plan to pitch it to Warner Bros. Maintaining their friendship since the show’s run, they host the Talkville podcast, where they discuss each episode of Smallville. In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Welling stated, “We just need the go-ahead from DC and Warner Bros.”He confirmed support from original creators and writers Al Gough and Miles Millar, who express interest in writing for this project, though they are currently occupied with Netflix’s Wednesday.
This animated series is truly a labor of love; it’s not envisioned to be a blockbuster hit but rather a tribute for the fans. Every actor is eager to lend their voices, affirming their collective commitment. “We just need them to let us use the property.”
Welling emphasized that the majority of the cast is keen to reprise their roles. “All the actors want to do the voices of the characters – we’re all in.”In an earlier Screen Rant interview, co-star Michael Rosenbaum reiterated these sentiments, stating, “The whole cast would like to do it. They would voice their own character from the show, and we have a concept of what the show is.”
Currently, the only obstacles facing the Smallville animated series appear to be related to timing. The previous year saw numerous disruptions in Hollywood from the Writer’s and Actor’s Guild strikes, impacting projects like Wednesday Season 2 and likely delaying any progress for Smallville as well. Furthermore, the DC universe is navigating significant changes under James Gunn’s leadership, necessitating a well-timed approach for the return of Smallville. Rosenbaum and Gunn share a close friendship, with Rosenbaum having roles in several of Gunn’s films, including Guardians of the Galaxy, which may bolster the chances for this project. Regardless, it’s encouraging to see the Smallville animated series still has life after all these years and that its cast is fervently passionate about reviving the series.
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