Even before the DCEU and the DCU, Smallville stands out as a TV series conceived by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, centered on a teenage Clark Kent who seeks to learn more about himself, his origins, and his powers while living in the quiet town of Kansas with his human family. Ten seasons of the role were brought to life by Tom Welling, an actor whose enduring popularity is still largely tied to that part, and even years after its 2011 conclusion, he continues to imagine what the future might hold for his version of Clark Kent. Could he cross paths with the approach James Gunn has recently proposed for the big screen?
Tom Welling would say no to a crossover with James Gunn’s Superman?
Over the years, various actors have played Superman, from the newest David Corenswet chosen by James Gunn to inaugurate a new era for DC on film, to the previous Henry Cavill, a symbol of the DCEU. Yet, on television, Tom Welling has experienced the role too, even though he portrayed a version of Clark Kent who predates the one who wears the suit and cape.
Twenty-five years have passed since Smallville first premiered on TV, and Tom Welling, speaking to Screen Rant, recalled all the times he found himself at conventions where other actors portraying the Man of Steel were also present. It naturally led to wondering whether they had ever seized the opportunity to consider a possible crossover proposal to pitch to Warner Bros, and regarding this, he admitted: “There was a moment, I believe last year, when there was a strong push within the convention circuit, during which we met very often. There was a big push to bring all the Supermen together, so we had several conversations of the kind: ‘Why don’t we all work together?’ There wasn’t anything formal about what exactly would happen. But we all get along very well.”
Taking Michael Rosenbaum as an example as well, who played Lex Luthor in Smallville and nonetheless appeared in a subtle cameo in Superman, Tom Welling was asked what he would think about a potential job offer to star in the new DCU: “Well, I’ve learned enough in this business not to do a favor by saying no before I even start. You have to keep an open mind, so that’s how I see it.” He also cited the example of the animated Spider-Verse that brought together many variants of Spider-Man, just as happened in Spider-Man: No Way Home: “When Tobey Maguire returned and they shot No Way Home a couple of years ago I thought it was fantastic. I liked that movie a lot.” After all, the Arrowverse also tried a similar experiment by involving other Supermen during the crossover event Crisis on Infinite Earths, bringing Tom Welling’s Clark Kent straight from Smallville back into play.
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