Smallville really was one of the best DC shows of the modern era, and it treated Millennials to a younger Clark Kent who'd yet to become Superman. The WB/CW series is still a favorite amongst fans due to its comic book-esque action and teenage/young adult drama. It’s been well over a decade since Tom Welling played Clark Kent on that show and, since then, he's moved away from Los Angeles. In fact, he actually ended up going from Tinseltown to a “smallville” of his own, and he explained why.

Whether someone is a fan of the aforementioned prequel series or has watched all of the Superman movies, they likely know the Man of Steel's origins involve a farm in Kansas. Well, Tom Welling isn’t far from that life himself, as he told People how one family trip to Northern California during the COVID-19 pandemic inspired them to leave L.A.:

I mean, there's no time like the present. Welling said he was sold on a ranch he and his family saw, which had two homes. And, before they knew it, they became permanent homeowners there.

The Lucifer alum also helps his wife’s horse breeding business, which includes sport horses and jumpers. Funny enough, on Smallville, Clark’s high school girlfriend, Lana Lang, also had a passion for horses. It seems that for the model-turned-Hollywood star, art and life are really imitating each other in a major way.

Some fans may be tempted to think Tom Welling would still have to deal with a lot of attention even in ranching area. Fortunately, the Cheaper By the Dozen actor doesn’t have to worry about that in his new residence:

It's hard to beat that, and I would imagine that it must be refreshing for Welling not to have to deal with much paparazzi. Ironically, Smallville's EPs previously said Welling was the “perfect” Clark Kent due to having no interest in fame despite taking on the Man of Steel role. So, it looks like Welling’s humbleness still lies within him even after the height of his fame. I love that the Fog actor finds his new life on the ranch “peaceful.”

The New York native still holds onto Smallville, though. At present, Welling co-hosts a rewatch podcast with former co-star Michael Rosenbaum called Talkville, where they rewatch and discuss episodes from their superhero series.

Also, there were plans for an animated revival series of their beloved DC show. But its EP gave a disappointing update, as they explained that plans were on hold due to the Superman projects being done at DC Studios Hopefully, Tom Welling’s Clark Kent -- who returned in the Arrowverse's Crisis on Infinite Earth's crossover in 2020 -- will eventually soar onto our TV screens once again.

In the meantime, though, it seems Tom Welling is very happy with his new surroundings. If he can balance acting, family, and being in business with horses, I can't think of a better life. Feel free to revisit Clark Kent’s life on a farm in Smallville, as all 10 seasons are streamable with a Hulu subscription.

The CW’s DC era may have ended last year with Superman & Lois, as it was one of the many shows ending and canceled in 2024, but it was actually the perfect way to end it. The era closing out with Superman after opening with Superman was pretty fitting because, before there was the Arrowverse, there was Smallville. The series centering on Clark Kent’s origin pre-Man of Steel, premiered in 2001 and ended in 2011 after 10 seasons. The show is still loved by many today, and Kristin Kreuk shared a reunion with Michael Rosenbaum and Tom Welling, which showed just how great they're all doing now.

The trio reunited at Fan Expo Canada over the weekend along with Laura Vandervoort and Erica Durance, and it seems like, in between photo ops, Kreuk, Rosenbaum, and Welling took photos on their own. Kreuk, who played Lana Lang on the first eight seasons, took to her Instagram Story to repost a sweet photo shared by the Lex Luthor actor with her and her two on-screen love interests. Even 14 years after the series came to an end, I love how close they are and how good they look:

Of course, this isn’t the first time that they’ve reunited as they frequently do conventions together, but it’s always great seeing them together. Especially since they are all so busy doing other projects, having them come together for Smallville and meeting fans of the series just shows how much it still means to them and how much they mean to each other.

Meanwhile, with the Smallville cast still keeping the show alive, what does this mean for the potential animated sequel series? It was previously reported that Welling and Rosenbaum have been trying to get an animated revival off the ground with the OG producers. One EP, however, recently weighed in on the proposed show, explaining that not only has Warner Bros. gone through a lot, but with the studio revamping DC with Superman, it might make it a little more difficult to make something like another Smallville series happen.

Even though an animated revival may not happen any time soon, fans still got a taste of Smallville after it ended. Both Welling and Erica Durance reprised their roles as Clark Kent and Lois Lane in the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event on The CW in 2020. Despite his protectiveness of the beloved character, Welling wanted to return after knowing it was just for one scene. And it was a pretty great one that saw Clark admitting to Jon Cryer’s Lex that he gave up his powers for his family.

Smallville will forever be one of the best shows ever, and it helps that the theme song is pretty great, too. So, even if we aren’t lucky enough to see the Smallville cast reunite on-screen, at least it happens off-screen, and the OG series is streaming in full with a Hulu subscription.

Over 20 years after its debut, Smallville is still beloved and has amassed a firm fanbase. That sheer level of love is the reason why many are still hoping that the Superman prequel series might continue in some form. For some time now, two of the show’s lead actors, Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum, have reportedly been looking to get an animated revival series off the ground alongside the original series’ OG producers. Updates on the project have been few and far between, but a fresh update now has me feeling disappointed.

Michael Rosenbaum and Tom Welling have been co-hosting the Talkville rewatch podcast since 2022, and they frequently welcome special guests. During the most recent installment, which is on YouTube, they spoke to producer Alfred Gough on the phone. Talk eventually turned to the possibility of the animated series. Gough still seems to have interest in joining the project should it ever happen, but it seems changes at Warner Bros. are holding it up:

At present, DC Studios is indeed working on a new production involving the Man of Steel. James Gunn’s DCU continuity is taking shape, and the first film in that franchise will be the highly anticipated Superman, which opens in theaters this coming July. It’s an exciting prospect, though it’s bittersweet, considering that it may be hampering any kind of Smallville follow-up. The presumed logic here is that WB wouldn’t want a specific property being split between two mediums. It was previously reported that such thinking factored into the cancellation of The CW’s Superman & Lois (though cast member Elizabeth Tulloch said that went beyond Gunn).

So it would appear that the chances of fans seeing Michael Rosenbaum and Tom Welling reprise their roles in the near future are slim. Nevertheless, when it comes to this ever-evolving media landscape, one can truly never say never. Alfred Gough alluded to that notion later during his conversation with his longtime colleagues:

Smallville, which premiered on The WB in 2001 and ran for 10 seasons, has had significant staying power. Even after the show ended, the continuity continued through the Season 11 comic book series. And, back in 2020, Tom Welling appeared as Clark Kent again, when he decided to join the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, which encompassed the various Arrowverse shows. In my eyes, Welling was the “perfect” Clark, while Michael Rosenbaum defined the role of Lex Luthor for a generation.

Needless to say, I’d be delighted to see both stars take on their characters once more. That may not be in the cards right now but, at a time like this, I’ll simply hold onto an ideal that’s synonymous with Superman – hope. In the meantime, stream all 10 seasons of Smallville now using a Hulu subscription.

Tom Welling has forged a firm place for himself within superhero media through his role as Clark Kent on the WB/CW series Smallville. For ten seasons, Welling played out Kent’s extensive journey to becoming the Man of Steel and became quite synonymous with the character. With that, Welling eventually became “protective” of the character, though he did opt to reprise it in Crisis on Infinite Earths, one of the Arrowverse’s crossovers. Now, the actor is discussing why he returned, and he revealed a keen suggestion he made on the set.

Smallville’s 10-season run ended in 2011, seemingly ending the journey for Tom Welling’s Clark Kent and those in his orbit. So it was a pleasant surprise when it was revealed that Welling would return for 2020’s Crisis event alongside Lois Lane actress Erica Durance. While attending Fan Expo New Orleans alongside Durance and fellow co-stars Kristin Kreuk and Laura Vandvoort, the Draft Day alum was asked about his decision to reprise the role. Welling (as seen in a YouTube video) then proceeded to share a very thoughtful answer:

As for what that one scene (from “Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Two”) entailed, it saw Jon Cryer’s Lex Luthor visit the Kents’ farm on Earth-167. Luthor – who’d been killing Clarks across the multiverse – sought to do the same to Tom Welling’s Kent. However, the villain opted not to do so – due to his ego – after Clark revealed that he’d since given up his powers and settled down with Lois. And, after Luthor’s departure, Lane approached her partner to explain that their daughters were waiting for him. It was a brief scene but also a sweet one that serves as a solid bookend for Kent’s story.

I can still understand why the Cheaper by the Dozen alum would be hesitant just to take any opportunity to reprise his character, though. There’s a lot of love and affection for his iteration of Mr. Kent. And, as has been said by Smallville’s EPs, the Fog actor made for the “perfect” Clark Kent, so why mess with that legacy if it’s not worth it? At the expo, the veteran actor went on to reference Clark’s big superhuman abilities twist and more, but I really love the thoughtful way he approached playing this version of Clark, which led to a subtle suggestion:

As a fan, I greatly appreciate just how thoughtful the Winchesters alum was when approaching his return as Clark. I also love the fact that he went on to give Erica Durance kudos for her brief appearance and for managing to quickly respark the playful relationship that Clark and Lois possessed for some many years. Fans are still pining to see more of their dynamics and those of the other characters and, if some of the cast get their way, it could happen.

Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum (who played Lex Luthor) have reportedly been attempting to produce an animated continuation series, with the OG creators attached as well. Previously, Welling said that for a spinoff to happen, they’d need a firm answer from Warner Bros. So it’s hard to say whether that project will come to fruition but, at the very least, I’m glad Welling and Erica Durance decided to return for Crisis and managed to give some further sense of closure to their characters.

All ten seasons of Smallville are now available to stream with a Hulu subscription. You can also head over to Tubi to watch Tom Welling’s return as Clark Kent on Batwoman’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Two.”

When it comes to upcoming DC movies, we’re about to meet a new Superman next summer with David Corenswet’s version. In the meantime, it’s fun to look back at the iconic portrayals of the Man of Steel over the years, isn’t it? Tom Welling, who played the role on ten seasons of Smallville, recently shared the time he got to meet the first big-screen Superman, Christopher Reeve, when the actor made an appearance on The CW series.

Tom Welling got to share the screen with Christopher Reeve on an episode of Smallville back in 2003 when Welling was 25 and Reeve was 50. When Welling was at Comic Con Stockholm (via Screen Rant) last weekend, he said this about how he found out he’d be working with a fellow Superman actor during the show’s second season:

The actor had no idea he would be working alongside the legendary Christopher Reeve (who was a real-life Superman in his epic life as well) until just days before. Here’s how it went in his words:

While Christopher Reeve flew high in four Superman movies that were released from 1978-1987, in 1995, the actor was thrown off a horse while taking part in an equestrian competition in Virginia. He suffered a serious injury that left him paralyzed from the neck down. After that, Reeve only made a few acting appearances, and Smallville was one of them.

As Welling recalled, he was only supposed to be on set for a few hours, but the actor was enjoying himself so much that he pushed his luck and spent double the time there.

The Smallville star recalls the actor’s nurse even had to put her foot down and threaten to “call the police” if he didn’t leave the set. It certainly speaks to Christopher Reeve enjoying himself as he returned to the world of Superman in Season 2’s episode “Rosetta”.

In the episode, Reeve played a brilliant and wealthy scientist named Dr. Virgil Swann who came across a message from Krypton and tracked down Clark Kent as a member of the alien race. The episode is an important one to the series, as Clark learned that his planet no longer existed from Swann.

Reeve returned for an appearance in a Season 3 episode called “Legacy” as well, which aired just six months before the actor died in 2004.

Tom Welling’s super story about meeting Christopher Reeve comes as the late actor is the subject of the new documentary Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, which is one of the best movies we’ve seen this year. The movie is available to buy on digital now.

The DC universe may be continuing Superman’s legacy with studio CEO James Gunn’s new movie about the Man of Steel, but there’s still a Superman continuation of a different sort I’d like to see happening as well. Smallville’s Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum pitched a sequel project back in 2021 that brings their iconic characters back to life in animated form. However, the former CW actor reveals the biggest thing that needs to happen to turn this Smallville spinoff dream into a reality and I’m shocked it hasn’t happened yet.

Smallville may have ended back in 2011, but that doesn’t mean fans have forgotten Clark Kent’s incredible journey from being a farm boy in Kansas to embracing his Kryptonian heritage as the famed superhero. Last we saw of the long-running CW series, Michael Rosenbaum returned as Lex Luthor for the finale only for his antagonist character’s memory to be wiped out, setting the stage for more battles without knowing Superman’s identity. Daily Planet duo Clark and Lois were finally set to get married after seven years, but not before he flew off the roof to reveal his infamous suit.

During Comic Con Stockholm, Screen Rant spoke to Tom Welling about the latest update on his and Michael Rosenbaum’s pitched animated Smallville series. The American actor revealed there’s one frustrating thing that needs to happen in order for the proposed series to get the green light:

Maybe you’re thinking what I’m thinking: what’s the holdup, DC Studios?! Superhero projects are still popular with upcoming Marvel movies and shows as well as in the DC universe with The Batman and The Penguin. And how about the fact that Smallville created such a huge legacy during its ten-season run and opened doors for actors like Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Kristin Kreuk, Justin Hartley, and more?

Clark’s origin story show immediately set a record at the then-WB by becoming the network series premiere with the most views at 8.4 million, and received Emmy and Teen Choice Awards. With Smallville building such a huge fanbase, I’m confident ratings would soar for this potential animated series. It appears that a Smallville spinoff series is not necessarily a priority due to changes occurring with DC Studios.

DC Studios became a new division in 2022 that dissolved DC Films after merging with WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc. It could be that the new studio is trying to get its footing going before taking on the proposed spinoff series. Plus, Smallville creators Al Gough and Miles Millar want to bring their fan-favorite series back, but Tom Welling said they’ve been busy with the Netflix series Wednesday. Maybe once James Gunn’s new Superman movie soars into theaters, seeing Clark Kent pick up where he left off in Smallville after Season 10 could have fresh appeal.

There’s no word yet on what the plot of a potential Smallville spinoff series would be. When Tom Welling made a cameo in the Arrow-verse crossover “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” a twist was revealed that Clark Kent gave up his powers so he could live a normal life with his wife, Lois, and their daughters on the Kent Family farm. That twist is likely just canon to the Arrow-verse, though, and it doesn’t appear that the Smallville: Season 11 comic series will be used for inspiration considering the Lucifer actor hasn’t read it.

If all we need is for Warner Bros. to reply back to Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum, let’s make it happen! As it’s been about three years since this series idea was pitched, I’m surprised it hasn’t happened by now. But once Superman: Legacy gets a theatrical 2025 movie release on July 11th, that could reignite the spark of Smallville fans to want to see Welling’s Man of Steel come back. Until then, you can watch all ten seasons of the popular CW series on your Hulu subscription.

What do actors and models have in common? Well, for the most part, having “the look” will get you in the door in either profession rather quickly. However, for the purposes of the list you’re about to peruse, it just so happens that these Hollywood stars managed to work both sides of that scenario. And as expected, these models-turned-actors have done so with style. 

Mark Wahlberg

Before starring in movies ranging from Boogie Nights to The Family Plan, Mark Wahlberg was known as a rapper and a Calvin Klein model. Showing off his buff body in underwear ads helped give the aspiring star his start in the entertainment industry, with Mark shifting into acting just as his boy-band brother Donnie eventually did. 

Rebecca Romijn

In a career that saw her on Vogue magazine covers and in Victoria’s Secret campaigns, Rebecca Romijn put the “super” in “supermodel.” And then, in a move that only further strengthened that statement, she took her first acting gig as Mystique in X-Men, kickstarting a career that’s led to such fantastic parts as that of Number One on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. 

Tyrese Gibson

Ads for Coca-Cola, Guess, and Tommy Hilfiger had Tyrese Gibson primed for stardom, and gigs on TV shows like Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper and Martin soon followed. But depending on who you ask, it was either Baby Boy or 2 Fast 2 Furious that caused Gibson’s star to rise to the heights it’s at today. 

Halle Berry

It’s no surprise that Halle Berry did some modeling in her entertainment career, as her beauty has always been well renowned. But rather than going for traditional ad campaign work, the future star of X-Men and James Bond movies was a contestant in both the Miss USA and Miss World pageants. 

Jamie Dornan

Prepare for a rollercoaster ride, folks. Jamie Dornan, actor known for everything from Fifty Shades of Grey to A Haunting in Venice, was not only a model…he was part of a reality show that helped get him the gig. Channel 4’s Model Behaviour led to some gigs with Abercrombie & Fitch and Tommy Hilfiger, which eventually made way for Dornan to be discovered by Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette. 

Cara Delevingne

We’ve seen Cara Delevingne do everything from John Green adaptations like Paper Towns to DCEU juggernauts such as Suicide Squad. And with a foundation of modeling for Vogue Italia, Tory Burch, and Donna Karan under her belt, the American Horror Story: Delicate star never really gave up her day job, as her modeling continued along with her acting efforts.

Channing Tatum

There was probably a time when people staring at random Armani ads featuring Channing Tatum thought, “I wonder if he can act?” With a resume that has titles like Magic Mike, 21 Jump Street, and Foxcatcher  to boast about, it’s probably safe to say that the answer is a confident “Yes!”

Jaime King

As a young model, Jaime King saw herself making a splash with Vogue, Seventeen, and pretty much any other fashion publication of note you could think of. 2001’s Happy Campers was all it took to help her jump into the acting world, which saw her play some impressive parts in Sin City’s screen adaptation, Fox’s The O.C., and even the voice of Solus Prime in the series Transformers: Power of the Primes.

Shemar Moore

S.W.A.T. star and all around heartthrob Shemar Moore actually had his own moment in the spotlight of modeling. Through catalog jobs with Macy’s and magazine shoots for GQ, among other opportunities, this man of action continues to engage in some modeling here and there; which only brings his fans that much more joy. 

Devon Aoki

Movie fans might recognize Devon Aoki from her standout roles in both Sin City and 2 Fast 2 Furious, but believe it or not her modeling career is the stronger of the two streams she’s dipped her toes into. Brands and magazines alike have showcased her talents in the industry, with Balenciaga and Harper’s Bazaar calling themselves a part of her storied body of work.

James Marsden

Jury Duty and Sonic the Hedgehog star James Marsden feels like the type of guy that’d be a model, right? How couldn’t he, with a smile like that? Well, if the world didn’t know it before his 2011 interview on Ellen, Ms. DeGeneres helped bring that aspect of his career to light; along with the pictures to prove it.

Gal Gadot

Jaguar, Maxim, and Gucci are only some of the brands and publications that Fast Saga star Gal Gadot has modeled for. This Heart of Stone lead eventually saw herself courted by Hollywood in the early-Aughts, thanks to auditions for Quantum of Solace that saw Gal compete with Olga Kurylenko for the role of Bond woman Camille. 

Antonio Sabàto Jr.

Calvin Klein was the name of the brand that gave actor Antonio Sabàto Jr. his start in the public eye, as underwear modeling was his first claim to fame. Eventually, projects like General Hospital, Earth 2, and even a Janet Jackson music video would see Antonio becoming an acting talent that continued to capitalize on their dreamy good looks. 

Charlize Theron

Even after winning her first Academy Award for Monster, and landing big ticket franchise like the Fast Saga, Charlize Theron still managed to fit in some modeling for Dior into her busy schedule. Which is absolutely fitting, considering that Theron got a jump start on her entertainment resume as a teen model throughout Europe in the ‘90s.

Mehcad Brooks

Fans of Law & Order and Supergirl’s Mehcad Brooks may want to brace themselves for what we’re about to tell them. Before Mr. Brooks was a part of worlds where superheroes and top cops reign supreme, he made a killing as a Calvin Klein underwear model; much like Mark Wahlberg, Antonio Sabàto Jr, and Djimon Hounsou.

Milla Jovovich

Before becoming an ace action star/zombie destroyer in the Resident Evil movies, Milla Jovovich found herself in another profession: muse. As an inspiration to designer Miuccia Prada, in addition to the star of shoots with acclaimed photographers such as Herb Ritts, Jovovich built a prolific career as a model; long before she would eventually be deemed a “Supreme Being” once again in 1995’s The Fifth Element.

Tyson Beckford

Before movies such as Biker Boyz and appearances on The Celebrity Dating Game and Match Game saw Tyson Beckford become an actor and personality, he saw himself engaged in another profession cut from similar cloth. Namely, Beckford was a model for magazines like The Source, as well as designer Ralph Lauren’s Polo brand.

Brooklyn Decker

The career of Brooklyn Decker started off with a huge splash, as both Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret employed the future actor as a star model. Eventually, playing a lead in the Adam Sandler film Just Go with It put Decker on the map; which led to a pretty sweet long term gig as one of the stars of Netflix’s Grace and Frankie. 

Ian Somerhalder

Lost star and vampire extraordinaire Ian Somerhalder practiced looking ridiculously good looking in the modeling world, before parlaying it into roles that headed up projects like The CW’s The Vampire Diaries. Among the various brands that saw Somerhalder posing for greatness high end names like Nautica and Versace. 

Iman

In the modeling world, brands and magazines like Vogue, Calvin Klein, and Halston all called upon the mythic talents of the great Iman. Yves Saint-Laurent’s “dream woman” would eventually find the acting profession calling, and would heed its siren song through opportunities like the Kevin Costner thriller No Way Out, as well as a memorable spot in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

Tom Welling

Even handsome men from Smallville manage to find themselves gracing campaigns for the usual glizy subjects. Former Clark Kent Tom Welling knows that first hand, as working with Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein would put him on the map to become a Superman for another generation. 

Tyra Banks

Long before Tyra Banks was trying to help find America’s Next Top Model, she was practically living her life under that very title. Through Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues, Victoria’s Secret campaigns, and cover shoots for Elle and Vogue, Banks’ reputation as an in demand beauty eventually saw her jumping into acting gigs like a recurring role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. 

Kellan Lutz

Vampires seem to make for good fashion models. Or should we reverse that statement? In either case, Kellan Lutz would be covered big time. Known as one of the Cullen family in The Twilight Saga, Lutz had also done some modeling before becoming one of the sparkling undead.

Kate Upton

Roles in The Three Stooges, The Disaster Artist and Robot Chicken have seen model Kate Upton active in the sphere of acting entertainment. However, her big start came from popularity stemming from cover shoots for Vanity fair, as well as modeling for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. 

Djimon Hounsou

Actor Djimon Hounsou has been known to battle it out heroically throughout various universes and time periods, making huge appearances in Gladiator, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Rebel Moon. But in addition to racking up such heavy hitting acts on his resume, the Academy Award nominee has also done some modeling for Calvin Klein underwear in the midst of his busy run.

Famke Janssen

Both the world of the X-Men movies, as well the James Bond legacy have called upon Famke Janssen’s skills as a performer. That run of good fortune actually came after she retired from modeling, which saw her lending her talents to campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent and Victoria’s Secret throughout the ‘80s.

Kofi Siriboe

Girls Trip and Queen Sugar star Kofi Siriboe is known as both an actor and an all around smokeshow in entertainment. And part of the reason the young actor has come so far so fast is thanks to childhood experience in the world of modeling campaigns!

Elle Macpherson

Everything from brands like Tab to magazines such as Elle and ads for Christian Dior have seen model Elle Macpherson gracing their campaigns for glory. And that was a perfect launching pad for Elle’s acting ambitions, which saw her hosting Saturday Night Live as well as appearing in movies such as Batman & Robin and The Edge throughout the ‘90s.

Robert Pattinson

While the world mostly knows Robert Pattinson for his acting gigs in the Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Batman franchises, you may be surprised to know that he actually did some modeling in his youth. Though he left that world behind a while back, that hasn’t stopped Pattinson from picking up some campaigns for brands like Dior Men from the Batcave.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Levi’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Teen Vogue were crucial starts to the career of model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and those pillars suited her well when continuing to be a world class icon. However, Rosie dipped her toes in the world of acting, through roles in both Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Mad Max: Fury Road.

Ashton Kutcher

How’s this for a start to a promising career? The late ‘90s saw Ashton Kutcher landing key gigs in both modeling and acting, with the former getting him started through Calvin Klein campaigns. It’s not hard to see how acting won out, as That ‘70s Show was the acting job that happened to land in his lap around the same time.

Elizabeth Hurley

The world has come to know and love Elizabeth Hurley in her capacity as an actor, throughout a career that’s seen her star in the Austin Powers franchise, as well as the remake of Bedazzled. But before she was selling Brendan Fraser’s soul, or fighting for peace with Mike Myers, Hurley was a model for the Estée Lauder brand. 

There you have it, lovers of modeling and acting talent! Keep these people in mind the next time you see a hot new star in either realm burning bright, for they could be the next exciting example of playing both sides, and looking exceptionally good in the process.

There have been many Superman actors over the years, but the one who actually played the Kryptonian the longest has never once worn the superhero’s suit. That’s right, I’m talking about Smallville’s Tom Welling. The actor played a young Clark Kent on the CW series for ten seasons, all without donning those blue tights, but could he continue his hero’s journey one day? A recent piece of fan art is having us imagining the possibilities. 

One photoshop artist took to Instagram to share an edit he did of Tom Welling wearing the iconic costume on the Kent farm alongside Smallville’s own Lois Lane, Erica Durance. Take a look: 

Tom Welling looks incredible as Superman in a suit that is a gorgeous shade of blue and features a bright red “S” and cape. The artist imagined a suit unique to other versions of the hero we’ve seen in movies and TV shows. Like Henry Cavill before him, the artist imagined Tom Welling might ditch the red underwear, and instead have a red belt around his waist. 

This costume doesn’t actually exist, and the image is fan art that implemented the return of Welling and Durance reuniting during the Arrowverse’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths” special that happened on an episode of Batwoman in 2019. In the huge crossover event of the CW’s DC characters, Tom Welling played a version of Clark Kent who had hung up the cape after losing his powers following the events of the Smallville Season 11 tie-in comic. 

Between Welling’s return to the DC character a few years ago and his 2021 announcement of an animated revival of Smallville, the actor has shown an openness to return to the role over the years. Could he ever become Superman in another series or movie? Tons of Smallville fans would absolutely love to see it, but then there’s the fact that a new DC universe is currently under construction with a new Superman actor. 

In 2022, James Gunn and Peter Safran became the co-chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios and have mapped out a new direction for the comic book universe that includes an upcoming movie starring the Man of Steel called Superman: Legacy. David Corenswet is set to play Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan will be Lois Lane. The Superman: Legacy cast is packed with talent, including Nathan Fillion, Isabela Merced, Edi Gathegi and Anthony Carrigan. 

Superman: Legacy is expected to be written and directed by James Gunn after the filmmaker put his mark on the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy and 2021’s The Suicide Squad. Though as we’ve seen with Batman, the possibilities are there for multiple versions of the same superhero to exist at the same time. So why not give Tom Welling his superhero suit moment… finally? 

Supernatural fans who have been tuning in weekly to watch The Winchesters cast deliver a different kind of backstory for Sam and Dean’s beloved, monster-fighting parents have been treated to some great stories about the gang fighting a number of different spooky creatures. But, the particular journey they’re on kicked off because Mary was looking for her dad, and now that we are a stone’s throw away from her finding him, we’ve finally gotten our first look at Smallville’s Tom Welling joining Supernatural’s super creepy universe.

What’s Our First Look At Smallville’s Tom Welling In The Winchesters?

The freshman series was able to hold on to the news of casting The CW’s former Clark Kent until New York Comic Con in early October, which was a pleasant surprise for fans. While the premiere episode firmly established that some things with how John and Mary met were quite different from what we’d seen on the parent series, knowing that Samuel Campbell would be around, and portrayed by someone fans love to see, was awesome. And, now you really can see Welling (who will appear in a recurring capacity) in character. Take a look!

Wow. Alright, considering that Mary’s search for her father had led the young team to a number of places filled with zombies and other things that go bump in the night, it really shouldn’t be that big of a surprise to find that one of the people who’d trained her to hunt her whole life would be a bit worse for the wear when she actually located him.

Sure, Samuel is smiling, but he definitely seems to have just been in a fight. The man looks exhausted and kinda sweaty, he looks like he probably took a punch to the face (or two), and I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that nasty looking wound on his chest. In case you’re wondering, this picture isn’t from a random Samuel sighting, as he is, in fact, smiling because he’s finally seeing Mary again, who has John with her, and boy I hope one of them has some hydrogen peroxide for that wound:

While Samuel Campbell (as played by Mitch Pileggi) was only seen on Supernatural for eight episodes, his impact on his daughter’s life is obviously very important. Not only did he turn young Mary into a hunter, but she’s said all season long that finding him is her ticket to leaving the thankless and dangerous non-profession behind. 

Samuel is set to show up in Episode 7 (which will also be the fall finale before we get the final episodes of Season 1 early next year), and John’s father, Henry Winchester, also shows up, though we don’t know yet if the Vietnam vet will actually be face to face with the Men of Letters member whom he now knows didn’t simply abandon him and his mom. The crew also gets a line on where they might find the Akrida, so all the pieces are there for fans to get an awesome cliffhanger to set us up for the rest of the season.

You can see how it all goes down when The Winchesters returns to The CW on December 6.

Brendan Fraser has been having a great moment of career resurgence and awards attention known as “The Brenaissance.” It isn’t a phenomenon limited to the world of the movies, as the 2022 TV schedule sees Fraser also highlighted through both the latest season of Doom Patrol, and another series called Professionals. It was the latter that allowed Smallville veteran Tom Welling to connect with the actor and even joke about his career resurgence.

In the series, Welling and Fraser star opposite one another. What started as a lighthearted joke from Welling turned into a prescient remark and a funny shared moment for both. Here’s how the Professionals actor laid out the story: 

A CW streaming original, Professionals sees Brendan Fraser and Tom Welling as two men who are part of a team trying to stop a global pandemic. Since the series was filmed before COVID-19 but released to audiences this year, Welling inadvertently got to see the before and the after phase of the actor's buzzy turn in Hollywood. In its own way, Professionals was also a resurgence story for Welling, as it was his return to the network that helped him strike it big. 

It’s a connection that probably helped shape his interactions with Brendan Fraser, as their characters in Professionals bond through their own common ground. That chemistry even seems to have changed how Fraser’s billionaire Peter Swann got along with Tom Welling’s security expert Vincent Corbo. Welling also said as much while discussing the original script in the interview with TV Insider, and how it morphed in the delivery:

Score another example of how darned likable Brendan Fraser is. In this, the time of his Brenaissance, such tales are only going to help boost his profile, and more than likely score him some more gigs. That is, of course, on top of the buzz Fraser has received for The Whale, which has some already calling for an Oscar win in his favor. Should that happen, maybe the attention will bode well for the actor and Welling, as that hypothetical news could make greenlighting another season of Professionals easier.

Professionals is currently streaming online through The CW, with new episodes debuting each Wednesday. Meanwhile, Tom Welling is filming his role in the canon-breaking Supernatural prequel The Winchesters, which is currently airing on The CW, Tuesdays at 8 PM ET. As for Brendan Fraser, he can be seen on the Max Original Doom Patrol, provided you have an active HBO Max subscription. 

It’s almost time for Supernatural fans to revisit the beloved fictional universe, as the spinoff prequel series, The Winchesters, premieres this coming week. Many are no doubt anxious to see what series co-creator and EP Jensen Ackles has up his sleeve for this origin story. Of course, we know by now that the show revolves around young John Winchester and Mary Campbell, the parents of the franchise’s OG protagonists, Sam and Dean Winchester. However, more details on the show are still being revealed ahead of its debut. With that, in an exciting turn of events, Ackles is reuniting with fellow Smallville alum Tom Welling for the show, and he’s going to play a key role. 

News of his casting in The Winchesters was confirmed during New York Comic Con this weekend, per TVLine. And while that’s exciting on its own, fans will be pleased to know that Welling is playing Samuel Campbell, the father of Mary and the maternal grandfather of Sam and Dean. On Supernatural, the role was originated by Mitch Pileggi, who appeared in a total of eight episodes. Samuel will be a recurring character on the spinoff series as well and is reportedly set to make his debut during the seventh episode.

Of course, makes this news even more exciting is that Tom Welling will be able to team up with his old buddy, Jensen Ackles, who narrates the show as Dean Winchester. Most probably know that Welling famously played the role of Clark Kent on the beloved WB/CW superhero drama Smallville for 10 years. Ackles was a series regular on the show during the fourth season and played the role of Jason Teague, the boyfriend of Lana Lang. I’m not sure I could’ve predicted that the two former co-stars would reunite in this manner, but it’s definitely a welcome surprise.

On Supernatural, Samuel Campbell was introduced as a seasoned hunter, who had a complicated relationship with his grandsons. Over the course of the show, Samuel was killed and eventually resurrected – only to ultimately be killed by Sam one final time. The Winchesters will still portray Campbell as a “gruff and pragmatic” veteran hunter, according to a character description shared with TVLine. It’s also said that as he teams up with his daughter, Mary, to save the world from dark forces, he’ll have to somehow repair his relationship with her.

It makes sense that Samuel would show up on the new show. Jensen Ackles, who’s been heavily invested in the spinoff, has long teased that OG characters could show up. With this new production, Ackles is looking to mix canon with new mythology, which can be tricky. Hopefully, he and his colleagues will be able to successfully marry the two in order to create something that’s true to the franchise but also feels fresh.

I’m sure Tom Welling will knock his latest gig out of the park and, if not, Jensen Ackles can always give him a “pep talk” like he did with the show’s lead actors. But if anything, I expect the two former Smallville stars to get along just fine.

The Winchesters premieres on Tuesday, October 11 at 8 p.m. ET as part of the 2022 TV schedule. You can also stream all 15 seasons of Supernatural and all 10 seasons of Smallville using a Hulu subscription.

It’s been 20 years since Smallville first made its television debut, but the love for the show seems to be stronger than ever. The Tom Welling-led series helped to usher in a new age for comic book storytelling on the small screen, as it delivered intricate story arcs and impressive action sequences. The drama established an interesting mythology for itself, though longtime fans may be equally intrigued by some off-camera information. A lot went into making the Superman prequel, and you may be surprised by some of the secrets that await behind the scenes. 

The DC Comics series has been off the air for over a decade and, in that time, fans have gotten more insight into its inner workings. And, even during its run, a number of significant tidbits were made known. So without further ado, let’s check out some behind the scenes facts you may not know about Smallville.

Smallville Creators Alfred Gough And Miles Millar Originally Pitched A Lois Lane Prequel Series

Creative duo Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, who’d contributed to films like Lethal Weapon 4 and Shanghai Noon by the early 2000s, were the minds behind the hit superhero show. Like many people, the two scribes were fans of the Man of Steel and as a result, wanted to do a show connected to his world. However, their first idea actually centered on his iconic love interest, Lois Lane. 

The two revealed this in a featurette on the making of the show’s first season. The idea was to create a series that followed the would-be journalist during her college years. According to Gough, the project was envisioned as a mixture of Ally McBeal and Nancy Drew. Meanwhile, her heroic lover would’ve been an unseen character, and would’ve theoretically been a mysterious internet pen pal known only as “CK.” The idea is intriguing, but it’s safe to say the writing pair struck gold with their eventual story. Plus, with the proposed project, fans may not have gotten Erica Durance as Lois Lane.

Superman Returns’ Brandon Routh Auditioned For The Role Of Clark Kent

As you can imagine, the producers auditioned plenty of young actors for Clark Kent. Some, like Supernatural’s Jensen Ackles, were experienced, while others were a bit green, like Tom Welling himself. Another who fell into that latter category was none other than Brandon Routh, who, today, has a firm place within the DC Universe. The actor reflected on his audition during an appearance at Motor City Comic Con in 2019:

The disappointment might have been sharp at that point, but the actor would eventually find his way to the iconic role when he was cast as the lead in 2006’s Superman Returns. Of course, today, Brandon Routh is known to many as Ray Palmer/The Atom in the Arrowverse, though he did get to don his cape once more during the “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover.

Three Of Smallville’s Main Sets Were Housed In A Former Meat-Packing Building

Smallville, like many other TV shows, made heavy use of sets, especially during the later seasons. Nevertheless, many of them were quite impressive given the constraints of network television. There was the crystal-clad Fortress of Solitude introduced in Season 5 as well as the large Daily Planet set that would be a mainstay in the last stretch of the show. But, what you may not know is that three major sets were actually housed in an unusual location. 

The interior sets for the Kent house, the family barn and the Luthor mansion were all located in a Vancouver building that used to house a meat-packing operation. In an early 2000s special, titled Superman: The Early Years, journalist Andi Peters explored the making of the show, which included checking out the building and the sets it housed. It may seem unconventional, but it was ultimately believable.

The Exterior Location For Luther Mansion Was Also Used For A Major Marvel Franchise

The program also featured a number of visually striking exterior locations, such as the Kent farm, which actually stands in Vancouver. But, it’s hard to top the beautiful place that served as the Luthor household. The actual location is Hatley Park National Historic Site, which is located in British Columbia. According to Alfred Gough and Miles Millar in a Season 1 featurette, they wanted the Luthors to live in a place that resembled a castle. It’s a cool place, and one that was later used in the X-Men franchise as well. 

That’s right, Hatley was also used for the exterior shots in the Marvel movie series, starting with 2003’s X2: X-Men United, and would later appear in 2006’s X-Men: The Last Stand, as well as 2016’s Deadpool and it’s 2018 sequel. The building also influenced the alternate versions of the school that existed in other installments in the series. Needless to say, this place has deep ties to comic book lore.

John Schneider Drew From His Relationship With His Son To Form The Bond Between Clark And Jonathan Kent

The role of the stern, but loving, Jonathan Kent needed a very specific actor, and John Schneider rose to the occasion in a big way. Finding the motivation to be the parent to such an extraordinary person could be difficult for many actors. But, as explained during a Season 2 featurette, Schneider actually drew on his relationship with his own son, Chasen, to inform his character’s parenting style:

It’s certainly an interesting perspective, and one that does seem to have helped him play the role. The father-son relationship was incredibly important to the series, which made it all the more tragic when Jonathan Kent passed on in Season 5.

A Smallville Season 3 Character Is Rumored To Have Originally Been Bruce Wayne

Numerous DC Comics characters appeared on Smallville over the course of its run, especially during its later seasons. However, one that ultimately eluded the show is the eventual protector of Gotham City -- Batman. Though Bruce Wayne never popped into the show, one of the show’s “urban legends” asserts that resurrected teen Adam Knight, played by Ian Somerhalder in Season 3, was originally meant to be Bruce Wayne before plans change at the last minute. 

While the show’s creatives have never confirmed this, there are a few elements of the character that imply that he was, at the very least, a tribute to Bruce. For starters, like Wayne, Adam was an orphan. He was also fluent in martial arts and was a capable computer hacker. Many also believed his name was a combination of late Batman actor Adam West and the character’s nickname, the Dark Knight. Even Ian Somerhalder stated in an archived interview that his character’s arc was changed close to filming. We’ll probably never know for sure what the exact plans were, but there’s certainly evidence to support the theory.

Lois Lane’s Introduction In Season 4 Shot Down A Wild Fan Theory About Chloe Sullivan

Many were undoubtedly excited when it was confirmed that Lois Lane would be entering Clark Kent’s life in Season 4, and Erica Durance ultimately knocked the role out of the park. The character was established as the cousin of Clark’s longtime friend, Chloe Sullivan and, as it so happens, Lane’s introduction did one major thing. According to Alfred Gough in a Season 4 featurette, it shut down the idea that budding journalist Chloe would somehow become Lane:

It was definitely an odd theory, one that would’ve been weird had it panned out. But if anything, it shows just how beloved and popular Lois is among fans.

Superman Icon Margot Kidder Quit The Show After Christopher Reeves’ Death

Smallville welcomed a number of notable guest stars over the years, such as Wonder Woman icon Lynda Carter and Supergirl actress Helen Slater. Beloved Superman actor Christopher Reeve also appeared as Dr. Virgil Swann, a scientist who helps Clark learn more about his Kryptonian heritage. And, in a sweet twist, he was joined by his former Lois Lane, the great Margot Kidder, who was being set up for a major role before she left. 

The actress played Virgil Swann’s assistant, Bridgette Crosby, who appeared in Season 4. Following the death of Christopher Reeve, the producers opted to kill off Swann and wanted Crosby to deliver the news to Clark. Kidder reportedly found this to be a “tacky” way to approach the character’s fate and felt it was disrespectful to Reeves’ memory. With this, she departed and her character was later killed off screen. Some fans likely still wish they could’ve gotten more of the actress on the show.

Laura Vandervoort’s Supergirl Was Originally Going to Be Similar To Paris Hilton

After a misdirect in Season 3, fans were finally treated to the real Kara of Krypton in the seventh season. Laura Vandervoort’s Girl of Steel quickly became a fan favorite on the show and received her fair share of heroic moments. However, had the producers gone with their original plans, her trajectory would’ve been quite different. 

Craig Byrne, the author of the Smallville official companion books, revealed in an interview for a Season 7 featurette that the show’s version of Kara was initially going to be a bit more shallow. The creative team envisioned her as a “Paris Hilton type,” who was likely deeply interested in pop culture. Ultimately, Laura Vandervoort’s delivery encouraged them to change their minds, and I think we can all be grateful for that.

A Metropolis-Centric Spinoff Starring Green Arrow And Lois Lane Was Once Being Developed

The Superman prequel series introduced a number of characters who could hold their own, so there was plenty of spinoff potential. One series regular that seemed more than set for his own series was Justin Hartley’s Oliver Queen/Green Arrow. And Hartley actually revealed a few years ago that the producers proposed a spinoff called Metropolis, which would have centered on Oliver and Lois Lane. 

However, the project didn’t gain any momentum, and the two characters remained on the series. I’m glad that the two ultimately stuck around on the parent show, but it’s hard to deny that the spinoff idea sounds intriguing. 

There’s so much to love about this show, and the cast and crew all deserve credit for making a complex and compelling show that still holds up two decades after its debut. You can revisit the superhero series, and check out the aforementioned featurettes by picking up Smallville: The Complete Series on DVD and Blu-ray now.

On October 16, 2001, the now-defunct channel known as The WB welcomed a new show called Smallville. The show centered on the formative years of Clark Kent, the young man who would one day be known as Superman. In time, the project would gain a massive fanbase, one that included superhero, science fiction and teen drama fans alike. The show, which ran for 10 seasons, is currently regarded as a seminal superhero production that many still revisit today. Now, fans will be able to do so in glorious fashion, as the complete series is headed to Blu-ray for the first time ever. And to mark the occasion, lead stars Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum shared their memories of filming the pilot.

It’s honestly hard to believe it’s been two decades since Smallville first landed on our TV screens. Many viewers can likely still remember some of that first installment’s biggest moments. But what still stands out for the cast themselves years later? Well, Michael Rosenbaum and Tom Welling have positive thoughts on shooting that initial episode. Rosenbaum remembered being in awe of the scope and incredibly excited to have landed a major TV gig:

The series, overseen by the creative duo of Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, was truly ahead of its time, as it provided some of the most impressive visual effects on TV at that time. That, paired with the fact that it was a new iteration of one of the world’s most beloved comic book characters, was surely daunting for the cast. When discussing his first time on the set, Tom Welling recalled his naïveté while joking about that of his co-star:

Most are sure to agree with the actor’s sentiments, as his colleague would go on to define the iconic character for a generation of viewers. Likewise, the Clark Kent actor would also become the Man of Steel audiences needed in a post-9/11 world. When discussing his personal favorite moments from the pilot, Tom Welling named some of the episode’s signature scenes: 

But while the experience was unforgettable, it was also filled with hard work. The two stars were honest about some of the rougher days on set. Michael Rosenbaum, while stressing how grateful they were for the jobs, talked a bit about just how much effort went into making the series what it was:

Considering the fact that we’re still talking about the show today, I’d say they did a pretty good job. Their efforts, along with those of their castmates and crew, allowed Smallville to become a well-rounded show filled with action, humor, heart, tragedy and pure comic book goodness. Superman fans are certainly grateful for the iconic series, and I think I speak for many when I say we’d love to see Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum and their co-stars add even more to this canon someday. 

In the meantime, you can revisit the show by picking up Smallville: The Complete Series when it soars onto Blu-ray on Tuesday, October 19.

As an actor, Tom Welling is not known for being hyper-prolific, since he is not one to blindly dive into any ol' project that crosses his path. Even if he was, though, there's a good chance fans will forever know him best as the mild-mannered Clark Kent on the Superman origin tale Smallville. He returned to the role, so to speak, a couple of years ago for the Arrowverse crossover "Crisis on Infinite Earths," and Welling will once again return to his former home at The CW with his latest project. Though it might not be exactly what fans are craving.

The CW announced it has acquired Tom Welling's latest TV series Professionals, which features his first starring role since Lucifer, and co-stars the always great Brendan Fraser, who'll soon be seen in Season 3 of Doom Patrol, and Wonder Woman's Elena Anaya. The thing is, though, this isn't exactly a brand new series. Professionals was created a few years ago as an international series by LEONINE Studios, was filmed in 2019, and was released in certain countries in 2020. And unfortunately, it wasn't exactly well-received by all.

An action drama, Professionals stars Tom Welling as the kinda-cool-named Vincent Corbo, whose A+ security skills are put to use by keeping high-profile clients safe for top-dollar fees, even if it means sidestepping the law. Brendan Fraser plays futurist and billionaire Peter Swann, who becomes suspicious after the expensive and fancy medical satellite he designed exploded soon after launching, and hires Corbo. Swann's fiancée Dr. Grace Davila, as played by Elena Anaya, is a medical genius trying to thwart a worldwide disaster. Naturally, Dr. Davila was previously in a relationship with Welling's character, which only complicates an already complex situation filled with shady corporate leaders, dirty government heads, and more waves of corrupt criminals.

It certainly sounds like a solid time, with filming taking place across locations in Ireland and South Africa. And it was created by Jeff Most, who was a producer on 1994's The Crow, as well as some of its less-than-stellar sequels. But it doesn't take much time looking at reviews for the show to get an understanding of why it may not have been automatically secured and released by any U.S. distributors last year ahead of its global premiere. It doesn't quite sound Superman-worthy. Or even Lex Luthor-worthy. Though everyone's mileage will obviously vary.

Professionals marks the latest outside-the-box acquirement for The CW, which has been bolstering its primetime schedule with content from other countries ever since the COVID pandemic first started causing filming delays in 2020. Even though most productions are as back to normal as one could hope during a health crisis, The CW is clearly game with playing it safe just in case other setbacks come up. Since last August, the network has acquired such series as Canada's Coroner, the UK's Dead Pixels, Italy's Devils and New Zealand's Wellington Paranormal, which is in the midst of airing its second season.

For those who do want more from the Smallville universe, though, Tom Welling did confirm in June 2021 that he and former co-star Michael Rosenbaum are working on bringing an animated TV follow-up to fans. But at this point, things are still in development, so we'll have to wait and see if that pans out.

What say ye, TV viewers? Will you check out Tom Welling and Brendan Fraser's Professionals when it hits The CW whenever its yet-to-be-announced premiere date arrives? While waiting to learn those details, be sure to check out all the other big shows hitting the 2021 Fall TV schedule.

It’s been ten years since Smallville came to an end and Tom Welling’s Clark Kent flew to the skies for the first time as Superman. While most of the cast has gotten together since then for different occasions, there has not been a single Smallville spinoff. However, thanks to a recent Cameo, it looks like that could soon be changing.

Tom Welling has been responding to Cameo requests as fans have been asking for personalized videos, no matter the occasion. And in a recent one that a fan shared on Twitter, the actor spilled the beans on a project that he’s working on that he may or may not should have kept secret. But it’s already getting fans hyped up about the possibility of seeing him and Michael Rosenbaum, who portrayed Superman’s foe Lex Luthor, reprising the iconic roles in a different way:

An animated series with original Smallville cast members would be a dream, considering it’s been a long time coming for a Smallville reboot. Although it does raise the question on what it would look like and whether or not it would continue the story that was only just beginning when Smallville ended in 2011. Tom Welling and Erica Durance, who played Clark’s better half Lois Lane, reprised their roles for the big Arrowverse crossover on The CW's “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” It was revealed that Clark had given up his powers so he and Lois could focus on their children. It would be interesting if the new series could connect to that storyline, and take place after the events of Smallville but leading up to “Crisis.”

Rumors of an animated Smallville series first started swirling around last year. While it wasn’t confirmed or denied at the time, the rumored series would be based on the Season 11 graphic novel series which takes place about six months after the series finale. However, it’s still unknown when in the timeline it would take place if it is going to be based on the comics still. Even though this isn’t the first time there have been talks of a Smallville reunion series of some type, it is interesting to note that Tom Welling seems confident in the series with Michael Rosenbaum.

Considering much of the cast are still close to this day, it would be hard to believe that most of them wouldn’t be on board, even if it is for an episode or two. While hopefully waiting on more news on the Smallville animated series, all ten seasons of the Superman prequel series are streaming on Hulu.

It’s hard to believe that Clark Kent’s story as Superman on Smallville was only just beginning a decade ago when the show came to an end and Tom Welling's Clark was ready to become the Man of Steel. Of course, Welling isn't the only actor ever to play Superman, but the Smallville executive producers have explained why Tom Welling was the perfect Clark Kent.

In an oral history for the June 2011 issue of CBS’ Watch! Magazine republished by TVLine, David Nutter, director of the pilot episode of Smallville, knew almost instantly that he had found his Clark Kent in Tom Welling after a screen test he did with the future Lana Lang, Kristin Kreuk. During the scene, which would become a memorable one for fans over the years, Nutter realized Welling was perfect:

Watching ten seasons of Smallville, it’s not hard to tell why Tom Welling was chosen to be Clark Kent, since he is Clark Kent. He’s got the charm, the honesty, sensitivity, kindness, and more, as well as the looks. Executive producer Kelly Souders could see that Clark was Welling and Welling was Clark. And while there were some differences, there were obvious similarities between the two as well:

Although fans said goodbye to Clark Kent, Lois Lane and the remainder of Smallville a decade ago, the famous couple appeared in the Arrowverse's “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover event in 2019, with Tom Welling and Erica Durance reprising their roles. While the cameo provided some much-needed closure with the fans and provided insight on what Clark’s been up to since he first donned the Superman suit in the final seconds of the finale, it was a treat for fans to finally see him back on their televisions again after so long, and reiterate why Welling was so perfect as Clark as he seamlessly stepped back into the role with no trouble.

Even though there have been plenty of Supermen, Tom Welling is one of those where the role was perfect for him. It may seem like a reboot, or sequel series, won’t be happening, but maybe Welling's Clark will return once again somehow in a future Arrowverse crossover.

Before Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel, Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman and Lois or even Brandon Routh’s Superman Returns, many of our associations with the Last Son of Krypton came through Tom Welling’s Smallville. So the iconic theme song “Save Me” rings in our ears as the 44-year-old actor shares his current thoughts on returning to the red and blue for an upcoming project.

In late 2019, Tom Welling reprised his beloved role on The CW for the crossover event "Crisis on Infinite Earths," but what about a feature length film? While speaking to Ernesto de Cuadros, Welling was asked about returning to Kal-El for the DCEU, perhaps for a role in 2022’s The Flash. Here’s what he said:

Apparently Tom Welling is pals with the DCEU’s newest Dark Knight, Robert Pattinson, and he’d be ready to sign on for a role alongside him any day, especially of the superhero variety. Of course, we’ve already seen Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice play out on the big screen, but we’re not opposed to another team up between DC’s World’s Finest.

From what we know about The Batman, Robert Pattinson’s character lives in a different universe than Ben Affleck’s Batman and Henry Cavill’s Superman, so there’d be room for a different Clark Kent to appear without cancelling out the versions stemming from the DCEU. There’s already two Batman actors reportedly showing up in The Flash during its multiverse storyline, with Michael Keaton and Affleck on board, so why not add in an extra Supes?

Tom Welling starred in Smallville for 10 seasons on The CW, initially beginning its run in 2001 when the network was called The WB. The series followed Clark Kent as a high school student coming to terms with his powers as his peers become altered due to the city being exposed to a meteor shower from Krypton that brought him to Earth. The series tracks Clark’s rise into a reporter for the Daily Planet, his romance with Lana Lang, Lois Lang and his ultimate rivalry with childhood friend Lex Luthor.

Unlike The CW’s current show Superman and Lois, which focuses largely on Tyler Hoechlin in the iconic red and blue suit, Smallville never quite became a Superman show. That’s why it would be awesome to see Tom Welling finally take up the mantle in a larger capacity. He sure has the resume to pull it off if Warner Bros is looking for an additional Kal-El.

Personally, as a fan of Smallville and the DCEU, I’d rather see Henry Cavill back as the DC hero first. Tom Welling had a decade to flesh out his character, yet Cavill has only had one solo movie and two team-up films. He’s a perfect Superman and he deserves a more defined arc! Back on the Tom Welling front, would you like to see the actor return to his Smallville role on the big screen? Vote in our poll below and get ready for Robert Pattinson’s The Batman on March 4th, 2022.

We have all the details about what movies are next for the DCEU here on CinemaBlend.

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Fittingly enough, Lucifer has gone to hell and back again during its extended television-to-streaming run throughout this past half-decade. Initially, the DC comic book adaptation made a modest debut on Fox with mixed reviews but a growing fanbase. When the show was cancelled after three seasons, the outcry of support from fans ultimately inspired Netflix to pick it up for three additional MA-rated installments — including its sixth and final season, which was (surprisingly) announced back in June.

While fans are still waiting for the second half of Season 5, this extended delay is giving newcomers a chance to catch-up with the buzzy series. If you're falling for the show and wondering where you've previously seen its devilishly talented cast, led by Tom Ellis, then we're here to help. Here's where you might have seen the Lucifer cast before.

Tom Ellis (Lucifer Morningstar)

As Lucifer Morningstar, the literal devil incarnate who abandons his post in Hell and becomes a civilian consultant for the L.A.P.D., Tom Ellis has a fiery role in this Fox-turned-Netflix adaptation of the DC Comics (and, you know, biblical) character. Previously, Ellis appeared in BBC's Miranda and USA's Rush. He also had main cast member roles in Nice Guy Eddie, Suburban Shootout, Monday Monday, Sugartown, and The Fades. Additionally, Ellis had a recurring role on EastEnders, and can be seen in Doctor Who, Merlin, Gates, Queen America, Jack & the Beanstalk: The Real Story, Harley Street, and No Angels. He also played Lucifer in an episode of The Flash.

Outside of television, Tom Ellis can be seen in Vera Drake, Buffalo Soldiers, The Best Man, Miss Conception, High Heels and Low Lifes, I'll Be There, and Isn't It Romantic.

Lauren German (Detective Chloe Decker)

Playing the part of Chloe Decker, a hard-working homicide detective who solves cases with our titular satanic character, Lauren German has one of the lead roles in Lucifer. Previously, German was seen in A Walk to Remember, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003), Hostel: Part II, Down to You, What We Do Is Secret, Made For Each Other, The Divide, Dark Country, Love and Mary, It Is Fine! Everything Is Fine, Born Killers, Standing Still, A Midsummer Night's Rave, and Spin.

Additionally, on television, Lauren German was in the main cast for Hawaii Five-0 Season 2, and she played a prominent role on Chicago Fire. Also, the actress had leading roles in Happy Town and Sex, Love & Secrets, and appeared in episodes of 7th Heaven, Human Target, Memphis Beat, and Going to California.

Kevin Alejandro (Detective Daniel “Dan” Espinoza)

In the role of Daniel Espinoza, an LAPD homicide detective, Chloe's ex-husband, and Trixie's father, Kevin Alejandro has a prominent paternal part in Lucifer. Outside of this series, Alejandro is known for his performances in Southland, Parenthood, True Blood, and Arrow. His other television credits include The Young and the Restless, Ugly Betty, Shark, Drive, Weeds, Sleeper Cell, Golden Boy, The Returned, Grey's Anatomy, The Catch, Law & Order: SVU, Psych, The Mentalist, Melrose Place, Sons of Anarchy, NCIS, Big Love, Medium, JAG, Alias, Without a Trace, 24, Charmed, and Crossing Jordan. He also worked on the web series, Gemini Division.

Away from television, Kevin Alejandro appears in Crossing Over, Red State, Wake, Cassadaga, Medeas, Graduation Night, Creature of Darkness, Strange Wilderness, Constantine, Purgatory Flats, and The Lost Husband.

D.B. Woodside (Amenadiel)

As Amenadiel, Lucifer's older brother, D.B. Woodside plays a watchful character in this series. Most notably, Woodside appeared in the seventh season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, as well as Single Ladies, Suits, and Parenthood. His other television credits include 24, Grey's Anatomy, Private Practice, Monk, S.W.A.T., Halt and Catch Fire, Castle, Hawthrone, JAG, The Division, Murder One, Hellcats, Emily Owens M.D., and a recurring role on Pearson.

Additionally, on the big screen, D.B. Woodside appeared in The Temptations, Romeo Must Die, Scar City, Easy (2003), That Awkward Moment, Mississippi Damned, The Man in 3B, and Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2.

Lesley-Ann Brandt (Mazikeen)

Playing the part of Mazikeen, i.e. "Maze," Lucifer's demon confidant, Lesley-Ann Brandt has a prominent supporting role in Lucifer. Outside of this series, Brandt is known for her work in Starz's Spartacus and Spartacus: Blood and Sand. She can also be seen in The Librarians, Single Ladies, Chuck, Gotham, CSI: NY, Being Mary Jane, This is Not My Life, and Diplomatic Immunity.

Additionally, Lesley-Ann Brandt appeared in A Beautiful Soul, Drift, The Hopes & Dreams of Gazza Snell, InSight, Painkillers, Heartlock, and Duke, as well as the music videos for Battle Circus's "Love is a Fallout Shelter" and Nesian Mystik's "R.S.V.P." Next, the actress will star in Killing Winston Jones.

Scarlett Estevez (Beatrice “Trixie” Espinoza)

In the role of Beatrice "Trixie" Espinoza, Dan and Chloe's daughter, Scarlett Estevez was part of Lucifer's main cast for the first four seasons. The child actress started her film career with Daddy's Home, followed by Daddy's Home Two. Estevez can also be seen in the fourth season of Disney Channel's Bunk'd. Her other TV credits include a recurring voice role in Amazon Prime's If You Give A Mouse a Cookie, as well as guest star appearances in Redeeming Dave and Raven's Home. Additionally, Estevez can be seen in The Massively Mixed-Up Middle School Mystery and And Then There Was You, as well as being heard in 2018's The Grinch. Next, the actress appears in Christmas Again.

Rachael Harris (Dr. Linda Martin)

As Linda Martin, our titular hellspawn's psychotherapist, Rachael Harris plays a mindful and observant character in Lucifer. In addition to this series, Harris can be seen in Reno 911!, New Girl, Suits, The Good Wife, and Sister, Sister. Her other TV credits include Curb Your Enthusiasm, The Sarah Silverman Program, In the Motherhood, My Boys, Childrens Hospital, Modern Family, The Office, Cougar Town, Pushing Daisies, Notes From the Underbelly, Monk, Frasier, 8 Simple Rules, Party Down, and Star Trek: Voyager.

Outside of television, Rachael Harris also appeared in The Hangover, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid movies, Bad Words, License to Wed, Starsky & Hutch, Kicking & Screaming (2005), Daddy Day Care, Best in Show, Showtime, For Your Consideration, Evan Almighty, The Soloist, Natural Selection, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb, Barely Lethal, Freaks of Nature, and Brother Nature. Additionally, she can be heard in Wreck-It Ralph.

Kevin Rankin (Detective Malcolm Graham)

Playing the part of Detective Malcolm Graham, Kevin Rankin has a notable role in the first season of Lucifer. Outside of this series, Rankin can be seen in Breaking Bad, Justified, CBS's Unforgettable, NBC's Friday Night Lights, and Trauma. He's also part of the main cast for Claws. Rankin's other TV credits include Six Feet Under, Bionic Woman, Grey's Anatomy, Big Love, Halt and Catch Fire, The Umbrella Academy, Lost, My Name is Earl, Without a Trace, The O.C., NYPD Blue, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Law & Order, Gracepoint, The Newsroom, and The Mentalist.

Outside of television, Kevin Rankin also appeared in Dallas Buyers Club, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, 2003's Hulk, The Apostle, White House Down, Wild, Hell or High Water, Skyscraper, The Chaperone, Pawn Shop Chronicles, and El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, where he reprised his role as Kenny.

Aimee Garcia (Ella Lopez)

In the role of Ella Lopez, an LAPD forensic scientist, Aimee Garcia joined the main cast of Lucifer in Season 2. Prior to this performance, Garcia was known for her work in Dexter, Vegas, and ABC's George Lopez. She also had leading roles in Greetings from Tucson, All About the Andersons, Trauma, and Rush Hour. Additionally, Garcia played recurring roles in Off the Map and American Family, while also having guest spots in CSI: NY, Supernatural, Bones, Gary Unmarried, Impastor, Hawaii Five-0, ER, Angel, CSI: Miami, and My Boys. Furthermore, the actress appeared in Disney Channel's Cadet Kelly.

Outside of television, Aimee Garcia appeared in D.E.B.S., A Lot Like Love, The Alibi, D-War, Graduation, Shrink, RoboCop (2014), What They Had, Saint Judy, Cruel World, El Chicano, Convincing Clooney, Go For It!, After the Reality, Boys Life 4: Four Play, The Good Girl, and Spanglish. She can also be heard in The Addams Family (2019). Next, Garcia will be seen in Saurus City and heard in M.O.D.O.K.

Tricia Helfer (Mum)

As "Mum," the Devil's mother and God's exiled wife, Tricia Helfer has a splashy supporting role in Lucifer. Most notably, Helfer is known for Battlestar Galactica. She can also be heard in the video games, StarCraft II and Mass Effect 3. Her other notable TV credits include recurring roles in Powers, The Firm, Step Up: High Water, and Burn Notice, as well as main cast parts in Dark Blue, Killer Women, and the fourth season of Van Helsing. Also, Helfer appears in Two and a Half Men, Chuck, Supernatural, Franklin & Bash, Criminal Minds, Community, Ascension, S.W.A.T., and Creepshow, and the actress can be heard in Tron: Uprising, Falling Skies, Rick and Morty, Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, and The Spectacular Spider-Man.

Away from television, Tricia Helfer can be seen in Open House, A Beginner's Guide to Endings, Bloodwork, Authors Anonymous, White Rush, Spiral (2007), Isolation, The Forger, It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, and Bombshell. Additionally, she can be heard in Green Lantern: First Flight.

Tom Welling (Lieutenant Marcus Pierce)

Playing the part of Marcus Pierce, the lieutenant who briefly oversees work at the LAPD, Tom Welling joined Lucifer during its third season. Most notably, Welling starred in The WB/The CW's Smallville as Clark Kent himself. He also had a recurring role in Judging Amy Season 2. His other television credits include Undeclared, Special Unit 2, Man Fire Food, and Professionals. He also reprised his role as Clark Kent in Batwoman.

Outside of television, Tom Welling can be seen in Cheaper by the Dozen and Cheaper by the Dozen 2, as well as The Fog (2005), Parkland, Draft Day, and The Choice. He also appeared in the music video for Angela Via's "Picture Perfect."

Inbar Lavi (Eve)

In the role of Eve, our titular diablo's former lover and the world's first human female, Inbar Lavi joined Lucifer during its fourth season. Prior to this performance, Lavi was seen in MTV's Underemployed, Fox's Gang Related, and Prison Break's fifth season. Additionally, Lavi starred in Bravo's Imposters. Her other television credits include CSI, CSI: Miami, Charlie's Angels, Castle, The Last Ship, Sons of Anarchy, Criminal Minds, Entourage, The Closer, In Plain Sight, and, most recently, Stumptown.

Furthermore, Inbar Lavi appeared in The Last Witch Hunter, For the Love of Money, House of Dust, Street Kings 2: Motor City, Getting That Girl, Underground, and Sorry for Your Loss.

Who's your favorite Lucifer star? Let us know in the comments! Also, you can catch up with Lucifer on Netflix here.

The latest iteration of Superman’s live-action costume, as worn by David Corenswet in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman movie, has officially taken flight in the mindblowing first trailer. The question is, how does the new DC Universe’s official outfit for the Man of Steel in the upcoming DC movie – hitting theaters July 11, 2025 – measure up against what we have seen before?

Taking into account the definitive essentials of what Superman should look like, as first envisioned by artist Joseph Shuster’s original design in Action Comics #1, I have some opinions on the new Clark Kent’s look and that of all the live-action Superman costumes we have seen in great superhero movies and TV shows alike over the years. Based on comic book accuracy, practicality, believability, and overall badass appearance, these are my picks for the best of the ol’ red-and-blues (or blacks) so far, ranked in ascending order.

12. Tom Welling - Red Leather Jacket (Smallville)

To me, this clearly well-meaning design has a bit of an awkward “flashy biker” vibe. Still, at least it's more unique than digitally projecting the Superman Returns costume onto Tom Welling, which is the “official reveal” we got at the very end of the Smallville series finale.

The red leather jacket bearing the classic “S” emblem debuted in Season 10 of the popular prequel series and was actually Clark Kent’s second attempt at a pre-Superman costume. We will get to the first (and much cooler, I believe) design soon enough.

11. George Reeves (Superman And The Mole Men)

While I described the last entry as giving “flashy biker” vibes, I think of homemade pajamas when I see the costume donned by George Reeves. The actor wore this suit when he made his debut in the role in the 1951 feature-length film Superman and the Mole Men before becoming a staple of the Adventures of Superman series the following year.

Now, before you denounce me for what may have sounded like ridicule of this iconic design, I do notice and admire its comic book accuracy, even if it does pale in comparison to more modern costumes. Furthermore, I have no doubt these red and blues (or, more accurately, black and whites at the time) sparked a moment of unforgettable excitement for any young fans of the Man of Steel.

10. Dean Cain (Lois & Clark: The New Adventures Of Superman)

Speaking of “homemade,” this costume was literally homemade by Clark Kent’s mother (K Callan) in the pilot of this Emmy-nominated 1990s series. Dean Cain played the lead, alongside Teri Hatcher’s Lois Lane, of ABC’s Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, which reimagined the Man of Steel’s story as a cheesy romantic dramedy of sorts with a costume to match the tone perfectly.

Fortunately, the suit saw some improvements as the series continued, such as swapping out the velcro-attached cape for one tucked under the blue tights. I also would regret not giving Cain extra points for having one of the largest chest emblems of any live-action design.

9. Tom Welling - Black (Smallville)

I understand the irony of where I rank this costume despite my praises of comic book accuracy and how the previously mentioned outfit worn by Tom Welling’s Clark Kent is clearly more faithful. However, I prefer the black trench coat approach of this costume, which showed up in Season 9 of Smallville

I like that it invokes a unique, noirish detective quality and, practically speaking, blends in during nightly adventures far more effectively than a red leather jacket. Furthermore, and once again, it is better than a CGI Superman Returns suit.

8. Brandon Routh (Superman Returns)

Speaking of, if there is one thing Bryan Singer’s polarizing continuation of 1980’s Superman II did right, it would have to be the suit worn by Brandon Routh. It does bear darker shades of blue and red, and a smaller, but more raised, chest emblem than Christopher Reeve’s costume (which, despite a breach in continuity, I almost find more cinematically appealing).

Plus, take a closer look at that emblem and you will see a collage of tiny House of El crests. That small, but very intriguing detail (along with the “S” on his belt buckle, too) is enough to convince me that Routh deserved his Superman reprisal… which we will get to soon.

7. Tyler Hoechlin (Supergirl)

One thing that I do not particularly admire about Brandon Routh’s suit is the red undies worn over the blue tights. I realize that Joseph Shuster’s illustration pretty much made that a tradition that has applied to many other superhero costume designs but I have always found it unnecessary and believe it does not translate as well to live-action.

That is a genuinely essential reason why I put it below Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman outfit, which he first appeared in on Supergirl in Season 2. I cannot say I care much for the way his cape is attached or the four golden etchings that surround the chest emblem for whatever reason, but everything else about this is A+ in my book.

6. Henry Cavill - Black (DC Extended Universe)

I suppose I have always had a bias toward superhero outfits that trade in their traditionally bright, colorful design for something darkly monochromatic. That is why my ranking of live-action Spider-Man movie outfits places Tobey Maguire’s black tights from Spider-Man 3 so high and why I admire the suit Henry Cavill dons in Zach Snyder’s Justice League following his resurrection.

After the actor teased the iconic design’s live-action debut in 2017’s Justice League on Instagram, fans were disappointed to see him back in the red-and-blues instead, which is why its long-awaited emergence in the Max-exclusive Snyder Cut was so appreciated and admired. For the same reasons most photos tend to look better in grayscale, redesigning the DCEU’s costume in solid black with a shining silver House of El crest makes Cavill’s Superman look great. Yet, this particular design – which is really not much more than his original outfit with the color drained – does leave some things to be desired, such as a shining, fully silver cape similar to McFarlane Toys’ Superman Black Suit Variant action figure.

5. David Corenswet (Superman)

Someone who shares my feelings about Clark Kent’s red undies is James Gunn, who was against the idea of bringing back the “trunks” for his upcoming superhero movie until star David Corenswet convinced him otherwise. After seeing what the first Superman poster and trailer have shown of the costume, I must admit that, somehow, the trunks might be one of my preferred aspects of the outfit. Frannkly, I still find the design a little busy and believe the chest emblem veers a bit too far from its classic “S” design, even if it does make a more believable House of El crest.

Luckily, I think the strengths outweigh the weaknesses here, overall. While I do tend to side with darker costumes (as some of my higher-ranked iterations will show), I applaud the more traditional and brighter color scheme – especially as a match for the tone Gunn seems to be going for with Superman – and I really dig the return of the yellow emblem on the cape. By combining classic elements with some from DC Comics' New 52 design, I think this new film has chosen a suit that promises a hopeful future for the Man of Steel on the big screen.

4. Tyler Hoechlin (Superman & Lois)

I gave Tyler Hoechlin’s suit from Supergirl an A+ but would give an A++ to his more recent and more “badass” Supersuit. The later, (technically) Arrowverse-canon outfit made its debut when the actor and his Lois, Elizabeth Tulloch, became the stars of their own solo TV show, Superman & Lois, which ended after four seasons in December 2024.

It probably goes without saying that I admire the removal of the emblem’s gold etchings and the previous cape attachments in lieu of tucking it under his collar, which also fits admirably tighter around his neck. Not to mention, his belt is much sleeker and I like the addition of a second House of El crest as the buckle, like on Routh’s Superman Returns costume. For these reasons, I think the new suit makes Hoechlin look better as the Man of Steel than ever and makes me thankful for the redesign.

3. Brandon Routh - Kingdom Come (Crisis On Infinite Earths)

While it is prone to put comic book fans up in arms, sometimes breaking tradition can be good. No, I am not talking about the outside undies again since this suit actually does incorporate that. I am specifically referring to how Alex Ross reimagined the Superman costume for one of the best DC Elseworlds stories, Kingdom Come.

With a less defined “S” on a black background in the chest emblem and darker belt, too, this was such a simple, yet astonishing change of pace that demanded a live-action translation. It finally did in the Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, as worn by Legends of Tomorrow star Brandon Routh, who has never looked better in the role.

2. Christopher Reeve (Superman: The Movie)

Despite my personal reservations over the trunks and brighter color schemes, those elements were used to perfection in 1978 when the late Christopher Reeve brought the Man of Steel to life in Richard Donner’s Superman: The Movie. Appearing in four solo movies total (more than any so far), the outfit authentically captured that era’s comic book design, with some credit due to Reeve’s mirror image resemblance to the character.

As a result, decades later, this Superman costume remains the definitive style in the eyes of many die-hard fans of the character. I would proudly justify that claim, even if my preferences lean toward what more recent years have seen.

1. Henry Cavill (DC Extended Universe)

Ranking one of the more recent cinematic iterations this high sounds like the obvious choice but I truly believe the DCEU’s original Supersuit deserves it for much more than recency. Just look at the way the color shades match the character’s darker interpretation, the subtle and rightfully more otherworldly look of the crest, the thankful lack of red underwear, and the way it all fits on Henry Cavill’s angelic frame.

These elements are key to why this Superman is the most imposing and cinematically rich iteration yet, which is also how I felt about Batfleck’s costume design in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. There has always been something cheesy or cartoonish to note about the previous live-action suits but not at all on this one.

There may come a day, after I finally see the upcoming 2025 movie, Superman, that David Corenswet’s costume earns a higher place on my list. Until then, Cavill remains king in my eyes but which live-action Man of Steel do you believe looks best?

The cast of Smallville will be reuniting for an incredibly worthwhile charitable cause. Clark Kent, Lex Luthor, and Lana Lang may have gone their separate ways on Smallville, but the actors who played them are readying to reunite via virtual chat. Yes, including Tom Welling. Superman would undoubtedly approve of this!

While fans continue to keep hope alive for a Smallville reboot/revival, the cast is doing great things elsewhere. Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, and Kristin Kreuk are all coming together to support the Los Angeles Ronald McDonald House. You just have to enter to win. Are you excited and want to know more? Here is what's coming courtesy of Omaze:

I love Smallville and cannot tell you how amazing I think it is for the cast to do this for charity. Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, and Kristin Kreuk have not shared the screen for a long time. Smallville ended (without Superman suiting up) nearly nine years ago in 2011.

A little less than a decade after Smallville ended, Tom Welling reprised his role as Smallville’s Clark Kent for the Arrowverse’s recent crossover. Welling’s arc as Clark for “Crisis on Infinite Earths” reunited him with his Smallville co-star, Erica Durance, aka Lois Lane. Reunion pics of the duo sent hearts soaring.

Unfortunately, Michael Rosenbaum’s guest appearance did not come together. Hence, how cool it is that Rosenbaum, Tom Welling, and Kristin Kreuk are reuniting to answer fans’ questions for a wonderful charity. I have a lot of inquiries, including if they think a Smallville movie could ever happen. It has long been a dream of mine.

Of course, any time the cast of any show reunites, hopes for a reboot or a revival are not far behind. Fans have been spoiled of late with Tom Welling appearing during the Arrowverse crossover. Smallville enthusiasts still have a lot to contemplate regarding the crossover’s ending twist meant for Clark Kent.

As for the cast of Smallville, I hope they remain close and do things like this again in the future. It is not a huge personal surprise that they would reunite for a great cause. Tom Welling and Kristin Kreuk have both been guests on Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast Inside of You, which has also welcomed Arrow’s Stephen Amell.

For Smallville fans, entering to win this opportunity is a win-win. It is a spectacular opportunity for a great cause. It sounds like there will be an opportunity to really get into some questions about the show. For instance, if Lana hadn't been made to make Clark sick, do Tom Welling and Kristin Kreuk really think Clark and Lana would have made it as a couple?

You can consider that question and more when you stream every season of Smallville on Hulu. If you have the service, I highly recommend doing so. For other television wonders, check out this summer’s premieres.

During Part 2 of the Arrow-verse crossover “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” Smallville's Tom Welling returned as Clark Kent for a long-awaited cameo, and his big scene was quite unexpected. Welling's Clark is well-known for having never donned the full Superman suit during Smallville's run, so his fate in “Crisis” was up in the air. To be expected, the actor had quite a reaction when he read the script.

For background: after stealing the Book of Destiny, Lex Luthor ventured across the multiverse to kill Superman. He visited Earth-167, where Smallville’s Clark Kent lived, and it didn’t take long for Lex to learn that this Clark had given up his powers, which was a shocking twist for the beloved small screen hero. According to executive producer and "Crisis" co-conspirator Marc Guggenheim, Tom Welling loved the scene. Here’s what Guggenheim had to say about Welling’s reaction:

Even though Tom Welling's Clark Kent could no longer save planes from falling out of the sky, he still had enough brute strength to punch Lex in the face. It was a memorable scene, and it’s a blessing that Tom Welling couldn’t turn it down, considering how many fans wanted to see the actor making a Smallville-centric return. (He'd passed on prior offers to reprise the role.) The "Crisis" moment earned extra fan points because it also included Erica Durance’s Lois Lane, who thought Clark’s mention of the multiverse was his lame attempt at a joke.

Batwoman showrunner Caroline Dries shared with TVLine that they knew “Crisis on Infinite Earths” would feature several versions of Clark. But it was only when Tom Welling’s iteration came to mind that she knew the Kent farm had to be included as well.

The cow could never forget Tom Welling! In a way, the Kent farm has become its own entity within The CW shows, as it’s the second time it has appeared in an Arrow-verse crossover. The first introduction was during last year’s “Elseworlds.”

Thankfully, Smallville’s Clark Kent and Lois Lane seem to have gotten their happy ending (which didn’t happen for Oliver Queen), and will remain untouched by the anti-matter quickly spreading across the multiverse, at least for now. Black Lightning can’t say the same after last night’s episode, but we'll be watching to see how that gets handled, too.

The CW’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths” continues on Tuesday, December 10, at 8 p.m. with The Flash, where Barry Allen is currently still fated to die. The five-part crossover will probably end on a major mid-point cliffhanger and is set to conclude on Tuesday, January 14, 2020 with Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow.

The CW is pulling out all the superhero stops for the Arrow-verse's massive "Crisis on Infinite Earths" crossover, and not just because it will include the most shows in the history of the entire Arrow-verse. Veterans from past superhero projects are somehow, in some way, reprising their roles for "Crisis," and two Smallville alums are on board. Erica Durance, who played Lois Lane on Smallville, has shared a "Crisis" crossover behind-the-scenes photo with Tom Welling. Take a look at the photo that reunites Smallville's Lois and Clark!

Unsurprisingly, Erica Durance didn’t give away any huge plot details about what to expect from “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” but it does look like she and Tom Welling were filming on the Kent farm for the crossover. The Arrow-verse actually used the Smallville’s farm for the Kent setting in last year’s “Elseworlds” crossover as one of a couple Smallville shoutouts; will this be the Arrow-verse farm, the Smallville farm, or a farm from one of the many other -- well, infinite number of -- Earths?

We’ll have to wait and see on that front, as “Crisis” is still in the production stages. It may be a while before we get many details, let alone footage beyond the behind-the-scenes glimpses that may be shared on social media. At least Erica Durance’s Instagram caption revealed that she and Tom Welling had a lot of fun in their reunion!

Too bad Michael Rosenbaum won’t be joining them as Smallville’s Lex Luthor, but his reasons for not joining “Crisis” don’t seem like they can be overcome. Certainly not after he publicly blasted how he was approached about the crossover!

So, what can we guess about “Crisis” based on this image? Well, not that Erica Durance and Tom Well don’t look fantastic, but their versions of Lois and Clark have clearly aged from where Smallville fans last saw them in 2011. This tracks with the news from when Durance's casting was announced, which stated that "Crisis" will explain what Smallville's iconic Lois and Clark have been up to in the past ten years.

This suggests that Erica Durance will only be on board to play Lois Lane to Tom Welling's Clark Kent, which may end up slightly confusing Supergirl fans who aren't familiar with Smallville. Durance joined the Girl of Steel's show to play Kara's Kryptonian mom Alura after original Alura actress Laura Benanti had to be recast.

If Erica Durance only plays her Smallville character for "Crisis," I at least hope that we get a reaction shot from the Arrow-verse's Kara and Clark! We do know that Tyler Hoechlin will be back as one of several Supermen.

For now, only time will tell how many "Crisis" details we get before promotion for the crossover starts in earnest. There should be plenty of Arrow-verse news in the not-too-distant future, though, as four of the five superhero series in that universe return to the airwaves in October.

If you’ve been paying attention to news surrounding the upcoming “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” you know that the DC CW crossover event isn’t pulling any punches with its lineup of guest stars, from Black Lightning characters being brought into the fray to longtime Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy playing a live-action version of an older Bruce Wayne. But one character inclusion that many fans wanted to see in the Arrow-verse even before “Crisis” was announced has been revealed is happening. That’s right, folks, Tom Welling is reprising his version of Clark Kent that he played for 10 seasons on Smallville.

The CW announced today (via TV Line) that Tom Welling’s Clark Kent, who became Superman at the end of Smallville, will take part in “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” the five-part event airing across Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, Legends of Tomorrow and Batwoman. The network also noted that “Crisis” will “reveal what happened to Clark Kent almost ten years” after Smallville’s conclusion.

“Crisis on Infinite Earths” executive producer Marc Guggenheim said the following about Tom Welling’s inclusion:

For those keeping score, that’s now three versions of Superman who will appear in “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” Tyler Hoechlin’s Superman, who’s previously appeared on Supergirl and took part in last year’s crossover event, “Elseworlds,” will be back, and he’ll be accompanied by Elizabeth Tulloch’s Lois Lane and their newborn child. Brandon Routh will also get a second spin on the Superman wheel, having previously played the character in 2006’s Superman Returns, and that’s on top of also playing his Legends of Tomorrow character, Ray Palmer/The Atom, who will be departing later this season.

The Superman mythos will also be represented in “Crisis on Infinite Earths” by Jon Cryer’s Lex Luthor, who died in the Supergirl Season 4 finale, but whose corpse was retrieved by The Monitor, indicating a resurrection is forthcoming. Since Tom Welling is getting to reprise Smallville’s Clark Kent, I can’t help wondering if that show’s version of Lex Luthor, played by Michael Rosenbaum, could also be put back in play for “Crisis.”

Smallville ran from 2001 to 2010, a time when superhero stories slowly became more popular on the big screen, but barely had a presence on the TV front, which certainly isn’t the case nowadays. As Marc Guggenheim noted, without Smallville, Arrow and the birth of the Arrow-verse probably wouldn’t have happened, so it’s fitting that the show will be represented through Tom Welling at the very least. After Smallville ended, the mythology continued in the Smallville Season Eleven comic book, but getting to see Welling’s Clark Kent back on the small screen is a big deal for a lot of folks, and will likely draw even more eyes on “Crisis on Infinite Earths.”

Other notable guest stars appearing in “Crisis on Infinite Earths” include John Wesley Shipp (it’s unclear if he’ll reprise Earth-3’s Jay Garrick or Earth-90’s Barry Allen, I’m guessing the latter), Burt Ward in a still-undisclosed role and LaMonica Garrett both reprising The Monitor and debuting as The Anti-Monitor. The Flash regular Tom Cavanagh will also appear as Pariah, who was a key figure in the original “Crisis on Infinite Earths” comic book event and will be working for the Anti-Monitor in this adaptation.

“Crisis on Infinite Earths” will kick off on The CW with three episodes this December, and then wrap up with two episodes next January. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for more news concerning the event, and in the meantime, look through our fall TV premiere schedule to learn when your favorite shows are coming back.

Smallville fans may be well aware that Tom Welling had his doubts about taking on the starring role of his hit series at first, but may not know the explicit circumstances behind why. Of course, Superman fans may also know of the curse associated with the character, and how bad things have happened to those who have played the Man of Steel or been a part of a Superman-related project.

Some may think the curse may have been why Tom Welling was apprehensive about playing Clark Kent, but the actor has now emphatically denied that was the case. Welling explained the curse had no bearing on his decision, but did talk about the one thing that did make him very unsure of agreeing to be a part of Smallville.

As it turns out, Tom Welling told attendees at Fan Expo Canada (via Comicbook.com) he was just afraid the folks behind Smallville were incompetent and didn't want to latch onto a bad or doomed series. Fortunately the team was trusting enough to let him look at the script, and the rest is history. Many will argue the well-loved superhero series marked a new era in live-action superhero television, and was the start of The CW's current Arrow-verse.

Things could've been different had Tom Welling subscribed to the idea of the Superman Curse, which was first coined following the death of actor George Reeves. Actors before him who played Superman had various issues as well, and then there's the well-known accident of Christopher Reeve which left him quadriplegic afterward. More recently the curse has been linked to Smallville actress Allison Mack, who has been caught up in serious legal trouble over the past couple years.

While a good number of Superman actors befell some form of tragedy or accident following their roles, there are plenty who have not. Beyond Tom Welling, Brandon Routh, Dean Cain, and Henry Cavill have all played the character, all without major incident in their lives following. While some Superman fans may think the curse is real, there's plenty of evidence to suggest the curse is just bad luck or coincidence.

Smallville's Tom Welling Reportedly Said He's Heading To Arrow Season 8, But Is He?

CinemaBlend is the place to be for all news on television new and old. Be sure to stick with us for updates on what's happening with Tom Welling, and whether or not he'll be showing up in the Arrow-verse anytime soon.

Welcome to HeroBlend# 51! This week, Eric and Adrienne are going to dive into her thoughts on Hellboy and talk some spoilers, and give some fearless predictions on what might happen in Avengers: Endgame, along with an interview with Infinity War and Endgame producer Trinh Tran! First, though, we've got a big surprise for everyone. In honor of the opening of Avengers: Endgame and HeroBlend fans, we're holding our first ever contest! If you head here, you can enter our Avengers: Endgame Death Pool contest. You'll be tasked with predicting who will live and who will die by the end of the upcoming mega-blockbuster, and could win your very own Marvel Legends Series Infinity Gauntlet if you enter, so get to it!

Next, we've got a lot of awesome news items to get to this week. So, we'll be going over a host of box office, trailer, TV, MCU and DC updates. These will include an update on Shazam! and his box office dominance, the last X-Men: Dark Phoenix trailer, DC Universe's Swamp Thing teaser and word on some show shakeups, whether or not Smallville's Tom Welling will really show up on Arrow in the final season, the Russo Brothers (and Eric's) response to all the Endgame spoilers that are floating around, John Cena's potential role in The Suicide Squad and a lot more!

As we all know by now, Hellboy has not fared well with critics and audiences have not come out in droves for the film, either. Eric was able to give his spoiler-free thoughts on the movie last week, but now Adrienne has seen it, and she's got some things to say. So, we'll get into her reactions and talk a few spoilerific things about the reboot, as well.

Last, but absolutely not least, with Avengers: Endgame coming out in just a week, it's fearless prediction time! So, we'll be throwing out our ideas for what we think could happen with regards to how all the big mysteries get solved, who's not going to be on screen for that long, who hasn't been confirmed alive yet but is and will be important, what we think of new MCU characters who might be in the film and other who, what, when, where, why and how based predictions! And, to wrap this segment up, we've got Eric's interview with Infinity War and Endgame producer Trinh Tran. Now, sit back and relax, folks, because this is one chat you're not going to want to miss. Ready to dive in? Great! Listen for yourself above!

3:17 - News

36:34 - Hellboy Reaction/Spoilers

44:43 - Final Endgame Predictions

1:02:34 - Trinh Tran Interview

Now, get in on the superhero-filled fun and have a listen to the HeroBlend Podcast #51! Don't forget to enter our Avengers: Endgame Death Pool contest, right here, for your chance to win a Marvel Legends Series Infinity Gauntlet! And, be sure to subscribe to the HeroBlend Podcast on iTunes, right here, follow us on Twitter @HeroBlend and follow our hosts @eeisenberg and @HeyAJ74.

Well, now, if anyone out there thought that the Arrow-verse could possibly say goodbye to its flagship drama without introducing a few more DC TV-related surprises in Season 8, that's just silly. If unofficial reports turn out to be correct, it sounds like Arrow's final season will be welcoming a long-anticipated addition in the form of Smallville vet Tom Welling. Sadly, there's some up-in-the-air-ness to all this.

Here's what happened. Tom Welling appeared at New Zealand's entertainment-infused Armageddon Expo, specifically at the Wellington event. There, he reportedly said these words just as a fan was getting set to ask him about an Arrow-verse appearance.

Clearly, that's the kind of news announcement that TV fans would go berserk over, seeing as how The CW shows have already brought in other actors from Smallville (not to mention other DC TV shows of yesteryear, such as Lois & Clark.) So if Tom Welling actually does turn out to have a presence on Arrow next season, it would be one of the more perfect gifts to grant fans on the way out.

However, there were conflicting opinions that came out of the very same panel, with some claiming that Tom Welling made the Arrow claim jokingly. At one point, he reportedly later said, "You know Arrow is cancelled, right?" which led some to believe that his earlier comment was made in jest. Which seems like the worst form of joking imaginable to present to that particular crowd of people.

Of course, it's also possible that after making the original comment, Tom Welling was given a heads up from his publicist that he shouldn't have been so open about the Arrow gig. So perhaps he tried to make a joke about it later to water down the first answer. (Or to wine down the answer, per Welling's vino-related efforts with Stephen Amell.)

One of the Expo's audience members took down the original tweet, and later stated that the Expo's terms and conditions forbid the account from posting any video form the panel where Tom Welling could be heard making his Arrow comment.

It's not like he just avoided talking about the Arrow-verse completely after that, though nothing could confirmed about any potential Arrow appearances. He did reportedly state that he directly turned down appearing on Supergirl, which is a very interesting declaration. Tom Welling had stated in the past that he'd never officially been offered anything.

What's more, it's stated that he specifically turned down the role of playing Superman for Supergirl, which likely means that offer would have come years ago, before Tyler Hoechlin got the part. That matches up with his prior claims about not exactly being gung-ho about dressing up as Superman following Smallville's series finale.

Of course, the Arrow-verse is currently heading for a Crisis of infinite proportions, and it's just such a world-widening ordeal that will readily welcome other versions of the multi-verse's mightiest heroes to come together. With Arrow aiming to bow out for good with a storyline that spans two timelines, there would be a lot of room to bring a new super-character into the picture at some point, presumably closer to the crossover.

Before we go off the rails while speculating about different versions of the Man of Steel, let's take a deep breath and wait to see if Tom Welling actually will be a Star City resident in 2019 or not. Fans who miss his face can always rewatch Lucifer Season 3 episodes.

While waiting, of course, Arrow will continue down the final stretch of Season 7 on The CW every Monday night at 9:00 p.m. ET.

The Arrow-verse has done some pretty crazy things with its crossovers, but what Stephen Amell is teasing on social media just might be the craziest thing the franchise has done yet. The actor shared a photo on his Twitter of Smallville stars Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum taste-testing some wines. The picture, and the fact that Stephen Amell is in the same room as these guys, has us questioning if a Smallville crossover is on the horizon.

So, why are Stephen Amell, Tom Welling, and Michael Rosenbaum hanging out together and taste-testing wines? The business shown on the screen, Nocking Point, is actually a winery that Stephen Amell has a stake in. The business is based out of Walla Walla, Washington, and has been producing products since it officially started in 2012. This picture looks to be Amell letting Welling and Rosenbaum sample the products, while everyone in the room wears their best ball cap.

A scenario like that sounds innocent enough until one wonders how this meeting came together. Is it possible this meeting was a result of Stephen Amell chatting up Tom Welling and Michael Rosembaum on the set of the "Elseworlds" crossover or Arrow? It's certainly possible, especially when considering the amount of other classic superhero show actors that have appeared in the Arrow-verse so far.

Case in point, we already know John Wesley Shipp will be appearing in "Elseworlds" as The Flash. Granted, Shipp does play the Earth-3 Jay Garrick occasionally on The Flash, but set photos of Garrick suited up more closely resembled his 90s outfit from when he portrayed the hero on a separate series. "Elseworlds" might be trying to keep this theme rolling, and will feature a scene or two with Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum portraying Clark and Lex from Smallville.

If that were true though, why wouldn't Stephen Amell share a photo from the "Elseworlds" set? It's possible this was a secret Amell was barred from sharing, and this wine tasting photo is a way for Amell to skate around any liability for leaking secrets while still keeping up his reputation for revealing secrets to fans. This also could have nothing to do with "Elseworlds" and the men were hanging out after meetings for some other type of Arrow-verse collaboration.

Having said all of that, Stephen Amell's Nocking Point has collaborated with celebrities in the past to create their own wines. Colton Haynes has his own custom wine available through the winery, as does Emily Bett Rickards. That makes it very likely Michael Rosenbaum and Tom Welling are sampling wines in a business room to discuss a future wine they had a hand in creating, and maybe not to discuss future crossover plans.

Arrow airs on The CW Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. For a look at what else is happening on television in the coming weeks and in 2019, visit our fall and midseason premiere guides.

The CW's Smallville ended its run in 2011 after 10 seasons, but some fans are still miffed that we didn't get to see Clark Kent make his full transition into Superman during the two-episode series ender. Now, star Tom Welling has finally spoken out about why the decision was made to keep his appearance in the character's famous superhero suit to an absolute minimum.

It's been a while, so let me refresh your memories of what happened in the Smallville finale. Darkseid and his forces are preparing to take over the Earth, by having their planet, Apokolips, enter our atmosphere. Near the end of the final episode, Clark is finally able to harness his ability to fly and, after heading to the Fortress of Solitude and getting the suit made for him by Martha from the spirit of his dad, he flies into outer space to push Apokolips back into deep space, thereby defeating Darkseid. If all that sounds like we did see Clark become Superman, you should know that all of those scenes of Clark doing Superman stuff in full costume were done in CGI. At no point did the audience actually see Tom Welling totally suited up as Superman. And, a lot of people were really annoyed by that.

As Tom Welling noted in his chat with Entertainment Weekly, the original plan was for Clark to put on his Superman suit and fly around saving folks early in the episode, but Welling didn't actually feel that it was the right ending for the show. After 10 seasons, he thought the goal of the finale should be to get fans right up to the point where we could then imagine how Clark would (after we stopped following him) fully embrace his destiny and become the hero the world needs. And, as disappointing as it was to not see a full body shot of Welling as Superman, that makes a lot of sense.

As fans know, Smallville wasn't a show about Superman. It was about a kid (and later young man) with abilities who was figuring out who he was and how he could use those abilities to help people. Tom Welling's idea that having him be Superman at the start of the final episode wouldn't have been earned seems right. The audience needed to see Clark go through one more trial, the biggest he'd ever had to deal with, in order for us to finally, truly believe that he'd be ready to become Superman. The very end of the episode flashed forward seven years, and we saw Clark head to the top of the Daily Planet building after hearing a report of a bomb being found uptown, rip open his shirt and prepare to fly off and take care of it. Mmmm...I'm getting chills just thinking about it.

If you want to relive the glory that was Smallville, the full series is available on Hulu. But, if what you really want is to see Tom Welling on TV again, you can catch him on the new season of Lucifer when that series returns to Fox on October 2 at 8 p.m. EST. Be sure to check out our fall TV premiere guide to see what else you can watch in the coming months.

Lucifer has had a lot of luck with its cast, pulling fan-favorites from a variety of shows to form the supernatural series on Fox. Kevin Alejandro came over from True Blood, Tricia Helfer made a name for herself on Battlestar Galactica, Rachael Harris hopped over from Suits and Lauren German got the gig after her run on Chicago Fire ended. Now, the show is adding another big name to its cast. Season 3 will see Smallville's Tom Welling join the cast.

Fox revealed this morning via a Comic-Con panel that Tom Welling is joining Lucifer. He's playing a character named Lieutenant Marcus Pierce, who will be part of the police force that Dan and Chloe work for. In fact, he's being brought in to shake things up a bit more between Lucifer and Chloe Decker, as the producers on the series describe the character as someone who is being brought in as a romantic interest for Chloe Decker. Fox also confirms that Marcus Pierce will be a character who is '"strategic, reserved and well-respected" -- all things Lucifer is not.

Lucifer and Chloe's relationship has been a key focal point since the beginning of the series. The will-they-or-won't-they aspect to the series obviously gives the show a lot of tension, but other than some jealousy between Lucifer and Chole's ex, Dan, there hasn't been a real romantic rival that Lucifer has had to deal with. With that in mind, Tom Welling is not a bad looking dude and clearly seems as if his character will have some additional traits Chloe will enjoy, so we can't wait to see how that particular storyline pans out. Currently, we don't know how long Welling's arc will be, but if it warrants a major announcement, we assume he'll be around for quite a while.

As for why the character of Lieutenant Marcus Pierce was added, Joe Henderson said that Lucifer has consistently striven to bring in characters, including Lucifer's mother, who will keep things spicy on the series. He noted at a Comic-Con panel:

Tom Welling is obviously most known for playing Superman on the long-running series Smallville and he really hasn't popped up back on television since that gig ended back in 2011. He had a TV project that didn't get picked up to series called Section 13, and he appeared in movies like The Choice and Draft Day, but Lucifer will mark his big TV return.

We won't have too long to wait before Tom Welling is back on the small screen, either. Fox has stated that Lucifer will be returning to the schedule on Monday, October 2 in a new timeslot at 8 p.m. ET. If you'd like to see what else is heading to TV in the coming months, take a look at our full schedule.

Although Superman’s presence looms large in Supergirl, he has yet to be clearly seen in the CBS series. While Daniel DiMaggio will play a teenage Kal-El in the upcoming episode “For The Girl Who Has Everything,” so far his adult self has only been hazily glimpsed in the pilot and “Fight of Flight.” It’s still unclear if the show will ever cast a regular actor to play Superman in a few of Kara Zor-El’s adventures, as his presence would no doubt overshadow his Kryptonian cousin. Still, the thought of who might play the latest Man of Steel on TV is an intriguing one. Well, Tom Welling, who played Clark Kent for a decade on Smallville, has some thoughts on coming back to reprise the role. As he put it:

During an interview with Buzz Feed writer Jarett Wieselman, Welling said that no one has approached him about playing a different version of Superman on Supergirl, but, even so, it might be too weird for him to return to the role.

Welling played Clark in Smallville from 2001 to 2011, where the series followed Clark’s younger years as he used his powers and met his familiar allies and enemies. However, Welling’s Clark didn’t become Superman until the series finale, and even then we never got a clear, full-shot of him in the costume. So if he were to appear as Superman on Supergirl, this would be his first time playing a Man of Steel who’s experienced and been a public figure for years, and he’s certainly at the right age to do it. Still, it doesn’t sound like is Welling particularly keen on returning to that part of his career.

The actor’s next project is the CBS drama project Section 13, which he would both star in and executive produce. While that’s still in early development, if it gets picked up, Welling will probably be too busy to have a recurring presence on Supergirl. Plus, with Superman currently being played by Henry Cavill in the DC Extended Universe, it’s possible the character is off limits for the small screen, which seems to be the case for every DC hero who isn’t Flash or Green Arrow.

Even if Welling playing Clark again isn't in the cards, there’s no reason he couldn’t play another role. Helen Slater, who played Kara in the 1984 Supergirl movie, and Dean Cain, who played Superman in the ‘90s series Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, currently recur as Kara’s foster parents, Eliza and Jeremiah Danvers. It was also recently announced that Laura Vandervoort, who appeared alongside Welling as Smallville’s Kara Zor-El, will appear on Supergirl as the supercomputer Indigo. So if the writers really want to include Welling somehow, they’ll find a way.

New episodes of Supergirl air Mondays at 8 p.m. EST on CBS.

For a decade, Tom Welling starred as a superhero on the CW, before it was trendy to star as a superhero on the CW. However, after his stint on Smallville ended when the show did in 2011, Welling slowed down and stuck with movies, only popping up in a few projects over the last several years, including Parkland and Draft Day. Now, it looks as if the actor wants to return to television in another starring role. He’s signed on for Section 13, a sort-of black ops-based drama project that would see him both star and executive produce. Here’s what we know.

Welling would be the lead in Section 13, although the project seems to be in the very early stages of development. If it moves forward, it will star Welling as a former CIA black ops member. When the story picks up, Welling’s character will have already left the CIA and become a private contractor. After tragedy strikes, he’ll join another organization dedicated to taking down big threats. So, it sounds a little bit like The Player, but without that nonsense gambling stuff.

Welling isn’t the only big name involved with Section 13. Deadline reports Bones scribe Carla Kettner has been signed on to write the script for the potential drama. Kettner is best known for writing a few memorable episodes of Bones back before the popular Fox drama lost its edge, including “The Hole in the Heart.” Both Welling and Kettner are also signed on to executive produce the project, which makes sense. Kettner has served as a producer on both Bones and Zoo and Welling actually served as an executive producer on Smallville and the short-lived HellCats.

Tom Welling has changed a little since Smallville finished its run four years ago. Now, the actor has a little more salt and pepper in his beard and can no longer pull off playing a young professional. This upcoming role may not be quite as super as his first big gig, but we’d be really happy to see the actor back on TV again.

It is worth noting that pilot season is always crowded. A lot of shows that are in development never make it to series, and CBS is notorious for fielding a lot of pitches and not having a lot of open spots in the schedule. Just this spring, Person of Interest ended up being left off of the schedule for now, as there were not enough open schedule slots. On the bonus side, Section 13 does have a procedural-type format going for it, and we all know CBS loves case-of-the-week types of stories.

It’ll still be a few months before CBS makes big decisions about what TV programs to sign on for next fall, but we’ll let you know if Section 13 ends up making the cut. For now, go ahead and check out what is set to premiere at midseason with our winter TV premiere schedule.

The NFL Draft was held just two weeks ago, and while it is tempting to just spend the rest of this story talking about all the surprise picks and equally surprising snubs, this is Cinema Blend, not Nick’s Football Blog. Luckily, the Draft is where production began on Ivan Reitman’s next film, the football comedy Draft Day, which added a slew of actors just before the Draft started. If you’re like me, you figured that the film’s casting process was over, but that isn’t the case at all.

Superman has joined the film, or at least Smallville’s Tom Welling has, according to Deadline. Welling hasn’t been in a feature film since the one-two punch of 2005’s Cheaper by the Dozen 2 and the remake of The Fog, but he appeared for ten seasons as Clark Kent on CW’s Smallville, and he’ll be playing secret service agent Roy Kellerman in Peter Landesman’s upcoming JFK drama Parkland.

For Draft Day, Welling will play veteran Brian Drew, a past-his-prime quarterback whose career is in question. I’m assuming he plays for the Cleveland Browns, the team at the film’s center, though the Deadline story doesn’t make that clear. Kevin Costner plays the Browns’ GM, whose main goal is acquiring the first pick of the NFL Draft and saving football in his city. I’ll go ahead and also assume that a Brian Drew trade will be at the center of the Browns getting that first round pick. I just hope he’s not as arrogant as Corbin Bernsen’s Roger Dorn in Major League.

The film also stars Frank Langella as the Browns’ owner, Jennifer Garner as Costner’s secretary and Ellen Burstyn as Costner’s mother. The surrounding cast includes Timothy Simons, Chad Boseman, Terry Crews, Sean Combs and Rosanna Arquette. The cast is nearly the size of a starting lineup, so let’s hope they cooperate nearly as well.

Based on how things turned out with the "Big Bads" of Seasons 9 and 10 of Smallville, perhaps they should have been switched. General Zod proved to be a very compelling and effective villain in making Clark think hard about his Kryptonian side, while providing a nemesis worthy of Superman. Darkseid was more of an inconvenience throughout the season, and as a "big bad" he and his minions were little more than afterthoughts to Clark's personal demons.

In fact, the true "big bad" of this final season is Clark's insecurities, and his inability to live up to what he thought his fathers wanted of him. As such, both Jor-El and Jonathan Kent (John Schneider) were important presences in the season. With Darkseid such a bust, we even got an alternate version of Lionel Luthor (John Glover), just to bring back all of the father-figures the show has ever had. While redemption wouldn't come for either of the Luthors by the final episode, fans could at least feel content that Tess Mercer (Cassidy Freeman) appears to have fully embraced the light side, even standing in for Chloe in Watchtower on a regular basis as the season progresses. It was nice to see the character get some direction -- as well as a surprise revelation -- with her attempts to raise the young Luthor clone, Alexander.

Other fun guest stars for this final season include Aquaman (Alan Ritchson) and Brainiac 5 (James Marsters), the futuristic good-guy version who took us through Clark's Wonderful Life in the season's "Homecoming" episode. That 200th episode proved one of the biggest highlights of the season, helping remind viewers of the deep history of a show that lasted so long. That episode also gave us our first tease of the life Clark can and will have with Lois (Erica Durance) once he stops being The Blur and starts wearing his underwear on the outside of his tights.

Chloe (Allison Mack) took a backseat through much of the season, as did Green Arrow (Justin Hartley), pushing the emphasis on the relationship between Clark and Lois. While budget constraints seemed likely culprits in the downsizing of the cast throughout the season, this focus was just what the show needed to prepare for the emergence of Superman. Having Lois learn his secret proved a smart move, as it created the Lois and Clark team that drove so many years of his various comic series -- until the DC Comics "New 52" reboot in 2011 erased their relationship entirely in the comics.

Things were far happier in Smallville, as the couple grew closer than ever and prepared for the next big step in their lives together. At least until that tense finale where alt-Lionel proved how much he loved his true son and Michael Rosenbaum returned to firmly establish Lex Luthor as Superman's arch-nemesis. This scene was as good as fans could have hoped for, and probably left many of them wishing that it was Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum continuing the story of Superman into the movie theaters.

Unfortunately, for all the satisfaction the final season of Smallville gave to long-time fans, the DVD package seemed to miss the significance and importance of the season and the achievement of the show in making it 10 seasons. "The Son Becomes the Father" takes a very focused look back throughout the series, spotlighting the importance of fathers and sons by examining Clark's relationship with his two dads, Jonathan Kent and Jor-El, as well as Lex's relationship with his father, Lionel. "Homecoming" also gets a well-deserved special feature in "Back in the Jacket: A Smallville Homecoming," but at 20 minutes each, it seems like these should have taken more time to remember the series and commemorate such an accomplishment.

I wanted to celebrate Smallville and Clark's journey from boy to Superman with these extras, but found myself sorely disappointed. Only two episodes with commentary from the production crew and some of the cast? It was nice hearing Justin Hartly talk about the episode he directed, "Dominion," but I was surprised that Erica Durance and Tom Welling didn't provide commentary on any of the episodes, as this was very much their season. No Geoff Johns on the fanboy treat that was "Booster" and no one -- NO ONE! -- had anything to say about the series finale? No making-of featurette on that episode? Forty minutes of extras, a few deleted scenes that offer nothing new, and two episode commentaries is a colossal disappointment for long-time fans. Okay, the music video featuring Allesandro Juliani and Cassidy Freeman is fun, but with so much missing, it's a little irritating to get this. At least it looks like fans who shell out the extra bucks for the Blu-ray aren't going to get any more in the way of extras than those who stick with the DVD set. That way everyone can be equally disappointed.

Length: 1,012 min.

Distributor: Warner Home Video

Release Date: 11/29/11

Starring: Tom Welling, Erica Durance, Cassidy Freeman, Justin Hartley, Allison Mack

Directed by:Kevin G. Fair, Glen Winter, Mairzee Almas, Jeannot Szwarc, James Marshall, Turi Meyer, Christopher Petry, Tom Welling, Kelly Souders, Morgan Beggs, Mike Rohl, Tim Scanlan, Al Septein, Justin Hartley, Greg Beeman

Produced by: Tom Welling, James Marshall, Kelly Souders, Brian Peterson, Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola

Written by: Don Whitehead, Holly Henderson, Jordan Hawley, Anne Cofell Saunders, Brian Peterson, Kelly Souders, Genevieve Sparling, Al Septien, Turi Meyer, Drew Landis, Julia Swift, John Chisholm, Bryan Q. Miller, Geoff Johns

You might think Marvel has its hands full, juggling all the studio’s current superhero properties, but they’re eager to add even more characters into the mix. There’s still that Ant Man movie out there to be made by Edgar Wright, and now it seems they’re getting serious about Doctor Strange.

The comic book adapting Disney studio hired Thomas Donnelly and Joshua Oppenheimer to write a script back in 2010 and now word is from Twitch that the script is done and Marvel must like it, because they’re pushing forward with a Doctor Strange movie. They’re looking for a director and someone to “oversee continued development” which I guess mean they’re planning rewrites. Ok, I guess they didn’t like it that much.

But if this is true, then it does sound like the studio is serious about making a movie out of this character. And you thought Thor was too obscure to get his own film. Doctor Strange isn’t exactly known to anyone outside of comic book reader circles, even though the character has been a prominent part of the Marvel universe since the 60s. If they make a movie out of him, he’ll be the first superhero character we’ve seen who really uses magic. Thor dabbled in that realm, but what looked like magic was actually just alien technology beyond our comprehension. Doctor Strange is a straight up master magician, and maybe the time for that kind of character is right, with Harry Potter finished and leaving a hole in the creepy occult corners of our movie-going life.

So who will play him? A number of different actors have been rumored over the years, including Patrick Dempsey. The only currently rumored candidate at the moment is Tom Welling, who formerly played Clark Kent on Smallville and who a few months go was rumored to be in Marvel’s crosshairs for a number of roles (including Strange).

It happened people. Smallville is no more. It's time for everyone to move on... So what do Clark and Lois do now? Well, we haven't heard much about what's coming up for Tom 'Teen-to-Man of Steel' Welling (despite fan-people outcry for him to reprise the super-role in Zack Snyder's Man of Steel) but it seems like Erica Durance has found her next project. And it's back to the Canadian small screen for the native Albertan.

Zap2It reports that the former Lois Lane has landed the lead of doctor Alyse Joy for the CTV pilot Saving Hope (negative points already for the painfully generic title). Say what you will about Canadian TV (not too harsh, I am Canadian after all) but a few shows of late have been making the jump to the big league, one being Rookie Blue which happens to be the last show from Saving Hope's executive producer Ilana Frank. So, once they change that awful title, this one could have a shot and prove a great post-Smallville move for Durance.

CTV's official description...

This Friday the long-running television series Smallville will be coming to an end after 10 seasons on the air. The longest running comic book TV series in history, the end provides a bit of a problem for star Tom Welling. Having been seen as Clark Kent for the last ten years, his film career hasn't exactly taken off, the actor still with only three films on his filmography (and two of them are from the Cheaper by the Dozen franchise). So what's he going to do next? How about something with Marvel?

What's Playing has learned from an unnamed source that Marvel is currently looking at Welling as a potential star for one of their upcoming projects. Marvel, of course, is the stiffest competitor to DC Comics, which owns the rights to Superman. The article doesn't say which movie Marvel is looking at Welling for, but suggests that it could be Deathlok, Runaways or Doctor Strange. The article also says that Welling was one of the actors considered for Universal's Snow White and the Huntsman, though Chris Hemsworth went into negotiations for that part just yesterday.

If he does end up making the move, it would be a shocking way to survive the Superman Curse. Either that or he'd be opening himself to a wrath greater than any seen before.

This year will see the completion of the tenth and final season of Smallville. Since first airing in 2001, fans have watched Tom Welling as Clark Kent grow into the person that would eventually become the Man of Steel, but something has always been missing: the suit. In all of the years that the show has been on Welling has never strapped on the red underwear and cape, despite fan pleading and endless petitioning for it to happen. Well, now it finally may.

The DC Universe blog The Source has received a teaser poster for the second half of the final season and if the reflection at Welling's feet is any indication, fans will see this young Clark Kent grow into a real, authentic Superman. Adding to the tease, the poster cuts off right before Tom's head on the costumed body, so it's going to still take a bit of Photoshop trickery to see Tom Welling in the suit.

Check out the poster below and head over to The Source to see it full size.