Smallville's series finale.

That made sense for the show, but it was not enough for fans. Now, Clark Kent actor Tom Welling and Lex Luthor star Michael Rosenbaum are working on an animated Smallville sequel series, which would finally follow Welling's Clark Kent as Superman. In October, Tom Welling told Screen Rant that they still need approval "from DC and Warner Brothers." Welling and Rosenbaum want to get as many actors from the show back as possible, and some characters would be perfect for the possible Smallville sequel series.

10 Impulse

Played By Kyle Gallner

Smallville had several heroes appear in the series throughout its long run. One of those who left the biggest mark was Kyle Gallner's Impulse. Bart Allen was the show's main speedster, having some funny interactions with Tom Welling's Clark Kent due to the use of his powers. Toward the end of the series, Impulse would become a member of Smallville's version of the Justice League, cementing himself as a major hero.

Impulse's powers are perfect for an animated series, and after Grant Gustin showed what The Flash can do in live-action for a decade, it is time the speedster went back to TV in a huge way. A Smallville sequel series would most likely feature Welling's Superman as part of the Justice League, so Impulse has to be there. His powers could lead to plenty of entertaining scenarios.

9 Lana Lang

Played By Kristin Kreuk

Kristin Kreuk's Lana Lang is one of Smallville's most important characters. The romance between her and Welling's Clark Kent was one of the main driving forces of the DC series' early seasons. While the characters had great chemistry, Lana did not get much to do on her own, and the long-drawn nature of their relationship ended up damaging the show toward the end of Lana's nearly 8-season run.

Lana's final Smallville story saw her power suit, which she could not take off, absorb Kryptonite, thus making her a danger to Clark. As such, Lana departs, with Clark later falling for Lois Lane and marrying her. It would be interesting to see if the Smallville sequel series could find a way for Lana to remove her power suit, showing what having her back in Clark's life would be like. It does not have to get romantic, but a deep friendship would be exciting.

8 Aquaman

Played By Alan Ritchson

Alan Ritchson is a dedicated DC actor. After playing a young version of Arthur Curry, aka Aquaman, in Smallville, the star would go on to give life to Hawk in Titans. Recently, Ritchson became one of the fan-favorite choices to play the DCU's new Batman after he claimed he would love to take on the role. In Smallville, his version of Aquaman was powerful, snarky, and even a threat to Clark Kent when he wanted to be.

As one of DC's biggest heroes and a member of Smallville's Justice League, Aquaman's absence would be felt if he did not come back for the possible Smallville sequel series. The Superman show could use Aquaman for world-building, with the character now fully-fledged and ruling over Atlantis, having married Mera, who also appeared in Smallville. Ritchson's comedic and dramatic skills, plus his distinct voice, would be perfect for the show.

7 Lionel Luthor

Played By John Glover

When speaking about the possible Smallville animated series, Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum revealed that they have created a poster for the project, and John Glover's Lionel Luthor looms large over the other characters in it. This guarantees that Lionel will play a role in the series if it ever happens, as he should, given how the character was one of Smallville's best villains, with a complex arc.

Lionel Luthor had one of Smallville's saddest deaths, being pushed down from a building by Lex, his own son. Glover's Lionel Luthor is dead in the Smallville continuity, and since Welling and Rosenbaum have said that their goal is to continue from where the show left off, there are a couple of ways in which Lionel could return. Time travel, the multiverse, a clone, and more are possible in a full-on Superman series.

6 Darkseid

Played By Multiple Actors

Smallville did a great job with Darkseid, given the show's budget. The character was the series' final major villain, and due to that, Darkseid's return would make sense for the possible sequel. After all, just as he turned into Superman for the first time, Tom Welling's Clark Kent was able to foil Darkseid's plans and push Apokolips away from the Earth single-handedly. Clark had previously destroyed Darkseid's host body, beating him twice.

Darkseid is DC's biggest villain. The Smallville sequel series is likely to feature a full-blown Justice League with heroes like Batman and Wonder Woman, similar to how the Smallville Season 11 comics did. Darkseid is the perfect threat for a major Justice League event, connecting to the DC series' final season and giving Welling's Superman and the Justice League a major test against Apokolips' forces.

5 Supergirl

Played By Laura Vandervoort

Laura Vandervoort's Supergirl did not play the major role she should have in Smallville. While Kara Zor-El/Kent was an important part of season 7, the character would barely appear after that. The Smallville sequel series could do better for the character, with Kara being an important ally for Welling's Superman. After all, she is his only living Kryptonian family, so an exploration of the cousins' bond would be emotional for the sequel.

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Why Laura Vandervoort Left Smallville After Only One Season As Supergirl

Laura Vandervoort was a main cast member as Kara Kent AKA Supergirl in one season of Smallville before being written off of the series.

Supergirl never really got to wear her iconic suit in Smallville. The character wore regular clothes that teased her Supergirl suit, though Kara never really went there. Well, the Smallville sequel series could have Supergirl don her classic costume and Clark in the Justice League. Supergirl being one of Earth's biggest heroes fits the Smallville universe, and the sequel series can do for her what the original show never did.

4 Green Arrow

Played By Justin Hartley

Other than Tom Welling's Clark Kent, no other hero was as important in Smallville compared to Justin Hartley's Green Arrow. Oliver Queen's arrival transformed the show, with the character being one of the few in Smallville to actually go out as a hero in a clear superhero costume. It was through his interactions with Green Arrow that Clark would get even closer to becoming Superman, seeing what a functioning superhero looked like.

Oliver Queen was teased in the Smallville pilot but only debuted in season 6.

Oliver grew to be Clark's best friend. Green Arrow is the first leader of Smallville's Justice League, a role he performs well, with Oliver being great at motivating others, coordinating heroes, and getting the job done. Since Chloe Sullivan is unlikely to appear in the Smallville sequel series due to Allison Mack's personal life, Green Arrow could be on a new chapter of his life in the possible series.

3 Lois Lane

Played By Erica Durance

There is simply no way for a Smallville sequel to work without Erica Durance's Lois Lane. Clark Kent ended Smallville almost marrying Lois with a funny moment about how he always had to dash out to save the world before they could actually get married. When Tom Welling finally returned as a live-action version of Clark for the Arrowverse's Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, Durance's Lois was by his side.

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Superman & Lois Ended A 23-Year Era Of DC Shows Just Like It Started & It Was Perfect

Tyler Hoechlin's time as Clark Kent has come to an end, with Superman & Lois' season 4 bringing things full circle for DC's brightest era on TV.

The duo's Arrowverse crossover showed they had two daughters, and Clark gave up his powers. However, Crisis on Infinite Earths and the Smallville sequel series do not have to share the same timeline. The Smallville sequel series could give Durance's Lois Lane a more active role in Clark's superhero life like Superman & Lois did for its lead characters, with Lois uncovering ways to find and defeat villains through her journalistic skills.

2 Lex Luthor

Played By Michael Rosenbaum

Michael Rosenbaum's version of Lex Luthor still stands as the best live-action take on the Superman villain. Smallville afforded the character enough time to go from Clark Kent's best friend to his worst enemy. It was all done in an organic way, cementing their bond as the DC series' strongest. After Rosenbaum chose to leave the show, Smallville was never the same.

At the end of the series, the setup is laid for Superman and Luthor to fight one another for decades, and possibly becoming the President of the United States like the Arrowverse teased, Lex could be very powerful.

As such, Superman and Lex Luthor's rivalry needs to be at the center of the Smallville sequel series. Since Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum are the ones trying to get the project made, Lex Luthor should be firmly back in a major way if Smallville is to return. At the end of the series, the setup is laid for Superman and Luthor to fight one another for decades, and possibly becoming the President of the United States like the Arrowverse teased, Lex could be very powerful.

1 Superman

Played By Tom Welling

Finally, a Smallville sequel series would obviously feature Tom Welling's Clark Kent at its center. The original show focused on Clark's journey to becoming Superman. If the sequel series ever becomes real, it should be about the opposite, following the adventures of Clark already as the Man of Steel. Welling only briefly played Superman in the Smallville series finale, with the actor never physically donning the Superman suit.

The Smallville sequel series would allow fans to see what Welling as a full-blown Superman looks like, even if it is in animated form. That is not a bad thing, as the medium makes it possible for the Smallville sequel series to go all-out when it comes to superhero fight scenes and Superman's powers. With Welling championing the project, the possible Smallville sequel series would be sure to treat Clark Kent right.

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Smallville
Release Date
2001 - 2017-00-00
Network
The CW
Directors
Mike Rohl, Jeannot Szwarc, Glen Winter, Terrence O'Hara, Whitney Ransick, Mairzee Almas, Paul Shapiro, Rick Rosenthal, David Carson, James L. Conway, Chris Long, Michael Katleman, Morgan Beggs, Allison Mack, David Barrett, Marita Grabiak, Michael W. Watkins, Philip Sgriccia, Rick Wallace, Thomas J. Wright, Todd Slavkin, Brad Turner, Charles Beeson, Craig Zisk
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    James Ralph
    Factory Worker (uncredited)
  • Headshot Of Kristin Kreuk In The 45th International Emmy Awards
    Lana Lang

WHERE TO WATCH

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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.

Number of Episodes
217
Seasons
10

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