Tom Welling Provides Unfortunate Update on Smallville Animated Series Revival

Key Insights on the Smallville Animated Series

Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum have yet to receive a response from Warner Bros. regarding their proposal for a Smallville animated series.
The reboot of the DC Universe, spearheaded by James Gunn, may complicate the chances for a Smallville revival due to the introduction of new interpretations of Superman.
With Warner Bros. focusing its attention on Gunn’s initiatives, uncertainty looms over the future of the Smallville animated project.

Former stars of the iconic series Smallville, Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum, are working on an animated series that aims to continue the beloved story. However, Welling recently shared his concerns about the project’s status and Warner Bros.’ lack of engagement with their pitch.

Ending its ten-season run in 2011, Smallville culminated with Welling’s character, Clark Kent, fulfilling his destiny as the iconic Superman. The series finale received a mixed reaction; while many fans appreciated the conclusion, there were lingering criticisms regarding Welling’s choice not to don the full Superman suit after a decade of buildup. Although an 11th season was adapted into a comic book format, it was in 2021 that Welling confirmed the development of the animated series with Rosenbaum. Regrettably, progress has stagnated with Warner Bros., as highlighted in Welling’s latest updates.

In a recent interview with ScreenRant at Comic Con Stockholm, Welling reiterated the need for a response from Warner Bros. He expressed that the project relies on the studio’s approval, which has not yet been forthcoming. When questioned about the apparent lack of interest or communication from Warner Bros., Welling clarified:

[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]

Clark Kent in Superman Suit from Smallville

Warner Bros. may be hesitant to pursue the revival of Smallville due, in part, to the new direction of the DC Universe (DCU) under James Gunn. This reboot aims to create cohesive storytelling across film, television, and video games. Although Gunn has indicated that previous DC media can still exist within the canon, the forthcoming franchise largely signifies a fresh start—with new variations of classic characters. Rosenbaum, who has a friendly rapport with Gunn—having previously collaborated in Guardians of the Galaxy—suggested that reaching out to Gunn regarding the animated series could be beneficial:

“I know! We joked about it. Michael says, ‘Oh, James is so busy.’ I think it’d be a fun idea. We already have the animation done.”Welling mentioned that they even have a poster ready, featuring the main cast with Lionel Luthor looming in the background.

As Gunn prepares to release a new Superman film to kick off the DCU franchise next summer, Warner Bros. appears to be cautious about presenting multiple interpretations of the Man of Steel. This decision aligns with their previous cancellation of Superman and Lois, which was axed to prevent competition with Gunn’s forthcoming project. Therefore, reluctance from the studio regarding the Smallville animated series is understandable.

While this situation may disappoint devoted fans, it does reflect Gunn’s intent to establish a clear, unified vision for the DCU. Although Zack Snyder’s DCEU films enjoyed a significant fan following, the inconsistent reception and confusion surrounding connectivity detracted from the franchise’s potential success. Warner Bros. tasked Gunn with creating an interconnected universe reminiscent of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making it clear that he seeks to navigate away from previously established narratives. For instance, characters from The Suicide Squad and Peacemaker will be integrated into the DCU, but changes, such as replacing Supergirl actress Sasha Calle, reinforce Gunn’s strategy moving forward.

Smallville is currently accessible for streaming on Hulu and Prime Video.

For further details, refer to ScreenRant.

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