TheSmallvillesequel TV show from Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum gets a newDCupdate from the former Superman actor. WhiletheSmallvillecastfinished their run all the way back in 2011 on The CW, the Clark Kent-focused drama has been eying a potential resurrection, as Welling and Rosenbaum have been developing an animated continuation, with the goal to have the original actors voice their respective DC characters.
However, astheSmallvillesequelhas been in development for a number of years, the project has yet to be looked at by Warner Bros. Discovery, as DC Studios have been putting their focus on getting James Gunn’s DC Universe franchise up and running, including the release of 2025’sSupermanmovie. But a new update from Welling may spell trouble forSmallville’spossible revival.
Welling was recently on Rosenbaum’s podcast,Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum, where the Lex Luthor actor asked hisSmallvilleco-star, as well asTalkVille Podcast(theirSmallvillerewatch show) co-host, if he thinks the series will ever make a return, as the subject of TV reboots and sequels got discussed. However, Welling wasn’t quite sure whetherSmallvillewould get that chance. Check out the following exchange between Rosenbaum and Welling below:
Michael Rosenbaum: Do you think it’s too far-fetched that Al [Gough] and Miles [Millar, the creators of Smallville] will ever say, ‘Let’s do a one-episode thing or a movie?’
Tom Welling: It just doesn’t seem like our show is the type of show where that would happen. I’m smiling and saying it will probably never happen. But I love the idea!
What Tom Welling’s Smallville Update Means
The Smallville Sequel Isn’t Necessarily Dead
While Welling’s latest update on aSmallvillereboot is bound to be concerning to long-time fans,it doesn’t necessarily mean that a sequel is completely out of the question. InScreenRant’sexclusiveinterview with Rosenbaumin 2024, theSmallvillestar stressed that timing was a huge factor for the animated sequel’s chances, which is definitely relevant in 2025. Rosenbaum stated the following toScreenRantin 2024:
Michael Rosenbaum: All I could share is that it’s a great idea. We have Al and Miles, the creators of Smallville backing us up. When it’s the right time, we’d like to go and do this; pitch to Warner Bros. It has to be the right time, and right now is not the right time. We had the strike, we had a change of executives at DC — one being one of my best friends in the world, James Gunn. When the time’s right, I think it’s something that’s a no brainer, unless they have other ideas. We’d like to do it — 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.
BringingSmallvilleback in animation would be easier and more cost-effective, as opposed to having a hypothetical season 11 in live-action format.Filming anotherSmallvilleshowin live-action may be something that the studio is less willing to do, but with animation, there is a lot more freedom for storytelling, especially with the right animation style, as the medium has constantly evolved over the last couple of decades.
It’s also crucial to remember that Welling’sSmallvilleupdate doesn’t flat-out say that it will never happen,but that he is just not sure if the DC TV drama is one of the series that would get a sequel. At this point, Welling’sSmallvillesequel comments can easily be seen as keeping an open mind while also having careful expectations.
Our Take On Tom Welling’s Smallville Update
DC Studios Could Greenlight The Smallville Sequel Under Elseworlds
Welling’sSmallvillerevival comments may not be the greatest thing right now,but until DC Studios and Warner Bros. Discovery say otherwise, hope is not lost yet for the sequel. Now thattheSupermanmoviehas finally arrived, DC Studios may be more open to looking at exploring other takes on the character, but under their Elseworlds umbrella, while letting the DCU franchise continue David Corenswet’s iteration.
SinceMy Adventures with Supermanis still running, with season 3 on its way,there is clearly room for Elseworlds Superman stories, at least in animation, at DC Studios, which is what Welling and Rosenbaum’sSmallvillesequel would be if it gets picked up to series. Hopefully, as DC Studios' DCU brand gets further fleshed out in the near future, the chances ofSmallvillegetting a sequel will increase for Welling’s iconic take on the DC legend.
Smallville
Cast
Smallville chronicles the journey of Clark Kent, portraying his origins from Krypton to his teenage years on Earth. The series explores his challenges and development leading towards his destiny as the iconic hero, Superman, set against the backdrop of Smallville, Kansas.
