SMALLVILLE Revival Update From Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum Dashes Hopes of a Return
It’s a bittersweet summer for Superman fans. While the Man of Steel is thriving on the big screen, fans of Smallville just got a tough update from the show’s stars that dims the already-flickering hopes for a reboot.
Tom Welling recently appeared on Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum, his third visit to the podcast, and naturally, the subject of Smallville came up. The duo, who also co-host the Talkville rewatch podcast, didn’t sugarcoat things when it came to the possibility of returning to their iconic roles as Clark Kent and Lex Luthor.
Rosenbaum asked the question fans have been wondering for years: “Is it too far-fetched that Al [Gough] and Miles [Millar] will ever say, ‘Let’s do a one episode thing, or a movie or something?’”
Welling responded with a smile, but not the kind that brings good news. “I’m smiling and saying it probably will never happen,” he said. “But, like, I love the idea.”
That simple sentence crushed the hearts of many still holding out hope. Especially since the fanbase remains incredibly active, faithfully tuning into Talkville, attending themed conventions, and even taking part in Smallville cruises. For years, Welling and Rosenbaum have pitched the idea of an animated sequel series, but Warner Bros.’ shifting strategy under James Gunn’s DCU leadership seems to have shelved those dreams.
Even Rosenbaum, one of the loudest champions for a reboot, had to concede. “It just doesn’t seem like our show’s the type of show that that would have [one],” he admitted.
The last real moment of revival came in 2019 during the CW’s Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, where Welling returned as Clark Kent alongside Erica Durance’s Lois Lane. That brief cameo revealed Clark had given up his powers to raise a family was an unexpected but fitting close for his version of the character.
In truth, any Smallville continuation would simply be a Superman series, and Warner Bros. already has that lane covered. The recent conclusion of Superman & Lois and the successful launch of James Gunn’s Superman film have likely pushed Welling’s return even further out of reach.
Rosenbaum has a small role in Gunn’s Superman film, and the two are close friends. So, there’s a chance, however slim, that Welling or other Smallville alumni could find their way into the DCU in new ways. After all, Smallville itself once welcomed Superman icons like Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder. David Corenswet, the new Superman, even said Welling was “his Superman” growing up.
So while a full-fledged Smallville reboot may never fly, the legacy of the series is alive and well, and might still find a way to soar within the modern DC Universe.