Tom Welling's intention to make an animated Smallville sequel series is a perfect spin-off to the original show that will avoid some big Superman problems. Welling originally teased Smallville's animated revival with his former on-screen archnemesis, Michael Rosenbaum, in June 2021, but he recently offered a promidate on the Smallville animated TV show. While attending Fan Expo Vancouver, Welling spoke about his hopes for the series and the challenges that need to be overcome before it can be made.
While Warner Bros. has yet to formally announce the Smallville animated series, Welling's ion for the project speaks for itself. Appearing with 's Lois Lane, Erica Durance, Welling spoke about his own plans for the animated show. He also mentioned several other Smallville actors, claiming that he's spoken with several of them about reprising their roles for the animated series. This indicates that the Smallville animated series has the of the original show's cast and that it may be much closer to development than initially thought, with Welling claiming it's just waiting for Alfred Gough and Miles Millar to be available before work can begin in earnest.
Smallville remains massively popular even years after airing its finale, and so far, the idea of continuing its story has been met with enthusiasm from fans. In fact, continuing Smallville in an animated format is perhaps the smartest way to do so - even if Tom Welling is willing to appear in a Smallville/The Batman crossover. By going animated, Smallville can dodge a number of potential issues, including one or two big Superman problems.
Smallville Ended Over A Decade Ago
Smallville aired its final season in 2011, putting at least 11 years between it and any potential sequel. This would be a major issue if the planned Smallville spin-off were live-action, as its actors would all be visibly older. Welling was 33 (and playing Clark in his mid-20s) when Smallville ended, so having him suddenly appear approaching middle age could be a tough sell. This would potentially be compounded by the spin-off's inevitable need to fill in the gap of those intervening years, making continuing Smallville's story in live-action quite difficult.
However, making an animated Smallville series removes those barriers from the equation. Smallville may have improved Superman's origin story, but it never fully showed its version of the hero Clark became. Using an animated format makes it much easier for the Smallville animated spin-off to tell stories set in the various stages of Superman's life. Animation allows for much more freedom of choice in telling Superman's post-Smallville story without being constrained by the matters of its actors' age. It's free to pick up immediately after season 10 or jump ahead to follow an older Superman.
Smallville's New Casting Issues Will Be Less Obvious
As well as Smallville's cast having aged significantly since last playing their respective roles, there are other casting considerations for the Smallville spin-off. Not the least of these concerns Smallville's most important original character, Chloe Sullivan. After Smallville ended, Chloe actor Allison Mack became involved in sex cult NXIVM and was subsequently sentenced to three years in prison for criminal activities involved with the organization. This would obviously prevent Mack from returning to Smallville, meaning that one of its main characters would need to be recast.
However, doing this in an animated format is a much easier task. Replacing Mack's voice is far less conspicuous than replacing her entire person, allowing Smallville's animated spin-off to better distance itself from Mack's legal troubles. The same can be said for any of the show's cast unable to return due to scheduling conflicts - although recording dialogue for the show is a simpler process for its actors than Smallville's live-action stunts - and Michael Rosenbaum's Lex Luthor won't require the actor to shave his head, either, making an animated show easier all round.
There Are Already Several Live-Action Supermen
While it may not be the biggest consideration in Welling's pursuit of the Smallville animated series, the spin-off also avoids contending with other Superman properties by not adding another live-action version into the mix. Of course, Welling himself played Clark for a full decade, but Smallville's central premise meant that the show ended as he put on the cape and finally took to the sky. Having Welling play another live-action Superman would be a mistake, as it would put the show in competition with other Superman shows and movies.
Currently, Henry Cavill plays the DCEU version of the character, and Tyler Hoechlin plays the Arrowverse version. Cavill's Superman and Hoechlin's Superman are often compared to one another, and adding another current live-action portrayal of the character would involve Smallville's animated spin-off in that debate. By making the show an animated Superman story, it will be able to capitalize on Smallville's popularity without the need to compete with other current live-action Supermen.
A Non-DCEU/Arrowverse Animated Series Is Perfect For Superman Fans
It's been established that the animated show will follow on from Smallville's continuity, making it separate from both the DCEU and the Arrowverse, which is actually another major way in which it will avoid a common Superman problem. All too often, Superman is needed to tackle larger-scale threats alongside other heroes, which can take away from the finer points of the character. Smallville was able to capture the balance between the two, but it's something that both the DCEU and the Arrowverse have struggled with.
The Arrowverse's Superman & Lois Superman feels somewhat detached from other heroes at times, whereas the DCEU's has only been given one solo outing. Fitting Superman into a wider DC universe is a tricky line to walk, particularly when there's an expansive continuity involved. Smallville is relatively self-contained in a narrative sense, making its adaptation of solo Superman stories much simpler than its DCEU or Arrowverse counterparts.
What To Expect From Tom Welling's Animated Smallville Spinoff
Specific details on plans for the Smallville animated revival are scarce, but there have been some indications of what to expect. Welling shared that the animated series would pick up where Smallville season 10 left off. This could mean that the animated show serves as an adaptation of Smallville's season 11 comic, which set up his role in the Arrowverse's "Crisis on Infinite Earths" storyline.
Welling also stated that the show's story could be "a Multiverse thing," which makes it all the more possible that it will feature a Crisis storyline. However, as Smallville teased several potential future Superman stories that it never delivered upon, it may seek to expand upon some of the original show's open-ended questions. With the original cast interested in returning, and Welling's insistence that the show's producers Alfred Gough and Miles Millar also come back, the Smallville animated TV show could well deliver an animated Superman that avoids a number of the character's common problems.