Tom Welling Reflects on Returning as Superman in the Arrowverse
Tom Welling, known for his portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman in the TV series Smallville, recently opened up about why he waited until 2019 to reprise his iconic role in other DC shows. His return took place during the much-anticipated Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event in the Arrowverse. This event marked the first time since Smallville ended in 2011 that Welling, alongside Erica Durance who played Lois Lane, revisited their characters.
The Podcast Revelation
On a recent episode of the Talk Ville Podcast, hosted by Welling and his Smallville co-star Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor), the duo engaged in a discussion with Craig Byrne of KryptonSite. They explored the enduring legacy of Smallville, focusing on the reappearance of Clark and Lois in the Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths. During the conversation, Welling shared insights into why he took so long to reprise his role:
“I was asked to be in a lot of the other shows after Smallville ended. I was asked to sort of appear in them as Clark, and it never felt like their tone was the same as Clark was or what Smallville was. I still believe that in the crossover what you see Clark doing and giving up his powers and being with Lois for their family, that might not be the Clark from Smallville because it’s a multiverse.”
Understanding Tom Welling’s Decision
Welling’s comments shed light on why it took until 2019 for his version of Superman to appear in the Arrowverse, aligning with the broader narrative of both Smallville and the Arrowverse. Introducing Welling’s Superman earlier, particularly during Supergirl‘s second season, could have been a significant distraction and possibly confusing for Smallville fans. Tyler Hoechlin’s portrayal of Superman became a staple of the Arrowverse, leading to the creation of Superman & Lois.
The controversial storyline in Crisis on Infinite Earths, where Clark relinquishes his powers, suggests that he had been Superman for many years before choosing to live a more ordinary life with Lois. Although this aspect wasn’t explicitly referenced in the crossover, Smallville‘s season 11 (considered canon to the original series) depicted Clark’s adventures as Superman, affirming that he had a fulfilling life.
Our Perspective on Welling’s Take
While the Arrowverse’s depiction of Clark Kent in Crisis on Infinite Earths is intended to be the same character from Smallville, his journey as Superman might not be concluded. Welling and Rosenbaum are developing a Smallville animated sequel TV show, which could further explore Superman’s life after the crossover, potentially addressing the multiverse twist from his Arrowverse cameo. Until then, Smallville fans can revisit the series through Blu-ray/DVD and streaming services.
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Smallville
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Smallville is a Superhero television series based on the Superman Comic Book series created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster. This television release was developed by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. The premise revolves around a young Clark Kent as he arrives on Earth and attempts to live his life while simultaneously keeping his friends, family, and those around him safe thanks to his superpowers.
Source: Talk Ville Podcast/YouTube
