Clark Kent/Superman actor Tom Welling looks back on why he didn’t play hisSmallvillecharacter in the otherDCshows until the 2019 crossover event for the Arrowverse. When theCrisis on Infinite Earthsstoryline was finally adapted for the Arrowverse, it opened the way for another beloved CW show to come back:Smallville. Following theSmallvilleseries finale in 2011, Welling and Erica Durance returned for the massive Arrowverse event to reprise their roles.
On the latest episode ofTalk Ville Podcast, hosted by Welling and hisSmallvilleco-star Michael Rosenbaum, who played Lex Luthor, the actors had a conversation withKryptonSite’sCraig Byrne about the overall legacy of the series, includingthe return of Clark and Lois Lane in Arrowverse’sCrisis on Infinite Earthscrossover. During their discussion, Welling admitted that the reason why it took until 2019 for him to reprise hisSmallvillerole was because when he was initially offered to appear on the other shows several years prior, it didn’t feel quite right, sharing the following:
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.
What Tom Welling’s Comments Mean For The Arrowverse’s Legacy
Hearing Welling’s perspective on why he declined to return as the DC icon,it makes a lot of sense forSmallvilleand the Arrowverse as a whole leading up toCrisis on Infinite Earths. If the plan was to attempt to haveWelling’s version of Supermanin the Arrowverse when the Man of Tomorrow got introduced inSupergirlseason 2, it would have been a massive distraction and maybe even confusing, especially forSmallvilleviewers. Had Welling been tapped to return as Superman, the world would have never gotten Tyler Hoechlin as the Arrowverse’s beloved Kryptonian hero, thus noSuperman & Loisyears later.
The controversial reveal about Clark’s loss of powers inCrisis on Infinite Earthdid, more or less, at least establish thatprior to giving up his abilities, he was Superman for multiple years before eventually settling down to raise a family. Even if the crossover event didn’t reference it,Smallvilleseason 11 is canon to the original TV show, where Clark had plenty of adventures as the famous DC legend. If anything,SmallvilleandCrisis on Infinite Earthsallowed this version of Superman to have a well-rounded life.
Our Take On Tom Welling’s Smallville & Arrowverse Comments
Even though the Clark that viewers met inCrisis on Infinite Earthsis, as far as what the creative team has stated, the same one fromSmallville,his Arrowverse fate doesn’t mean that his time as Superman has to be over. AsaSmallvilleanimated sequel TV showis being developed by Welling and Rosenbaum, the series revival could explore the Man of Steel post-Crisis on Infinite Earthswhere the new multiverse perhaps undid the plot twist that was revealed during his Arrowverse cameo. Until that happens,Smallvilleviewers can relive every single season either on Blu-ray/DVD or through streaming.
Smallville
Cast
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.
