Fans eager for a continuation of Smallville in the form of Smallville Animated Sequel may have to wait longer than they had hoped. The animated sequel, spearheaded by Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum, has been in development for several years, yet there have been no significant updates regarding its progress. The latest news suggests that the project remains stalled, primarily due to Warner Bros. Discovery’s current focus on James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film.
The Original Pitch and Development Stagnation
In 2021, Smallville stars Tom Welling (Clark Kent) and Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor) announced their intention to develop an animated sequel to continue the story of the beloved early-2000s superhero series. They officially pitched the idea to Warner Bros. in January 2022, but since then, the project has seen little to no movement.
On a recent episode of Welling and Rosenbaum’s Talk Ville podcast, they were joined by Smallville co-creator Al Gough, who shed light on what is causing the holdup. Gough pointed to the ongoing shifts within Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios, explaining that the current focus on James Gunn’s new Superman movie has likely pushed the Smallville continuation to the back burner.
James Gunn’s Superman Takes Priority
According to Gough, one of the main obstacles facing the Smallville animated sequel is the shifting leadership at Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios. Since Welling and Rosenbaum made their pitch in 2022, Warner Bros. has undergone several major changes, including AT&T selling the company to Discovery and forming Warner Bros. Discovery in April 2022. Later that year, in October 2022, James Gunn and Peter Safran took over as co-CEOs of DC Studios, reshaping the direction of DC projects.
Gough stated:
“That is the thing, I think the problem with most projects in development in any studio and/or any network is regime change. Warners has obviously gone through a lot, and I think the fact that they are in the process of rebooting Superman again, kind of unfortunately, I think, keeps our thing off the table for a bit.”
This explanation aligns with recent decisions by Warner Bros. Discovery, including the cancellation of Superman & Lois after four seasons to avoid competing with the upcoming film. While the animated series My Adventures with Superman has been renewed for a third season, Warner Bros. seems to be limiting Superman-related projects, leaving little room for a Smallville continuation at the moment.
Could Smallville Still Happen?
Despite the current roadblocks, hope is not entirely lost for the animated Smallville sequel. James Gunn and Michael Rosenbaum have a longstanding friendship, with Rosenbaum making cameo appearances in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Vol. 3. This connection could prove beneficial in the future, especially once Gunn’s Superman film has been released and the DCU has been firmly established.
Furthermore, the success of nostalgia-driven revivals like the upcoming Buffy the Vampire Slayer reboot for Hulu suggests that Smallville could still find its way back onto screens. Bringing the show back in animated form would be far easier than attempting a live-action revival with the original cast, making it a feasible option for Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios once their focus shifts beyond the Superman reboot.
Elseworlds and the Future of Smallville
Another factor in Smallville’s favor is DC Studios’ willingness to develop Elseworlds projects—Stories that exist outside the main DCU continuity. Matt Reeves’ The Batman universe, which includes an upcoming sequel and The Penguin TV series, is a prime example of how Warner Bros. is balancing multiple interpretations of iconic characters.
Additionally, J.J. Abrams’ Black Superman movie remains in development despite the focus on Gunn’s Superman, indicating that multiple versions of the character can coexist in different mediums. If Smallville fits within the Elseworlds branding, it could eventually get the green light without conflicting with Gunn’s overarching DCU vision.
Final Thoughts: A Matter of Timing
While Smallville fans may be disappointed by the lack of immediate progress, the project has not been outright canceled. The biggest challenge remains the timing, as Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios are prioritizing their newly rebooted Superman franchise. However, once the DCU is firmly established, the doors may open for the Smallville animated sequel to finally move forward.
For now, fans can revisit every season of Smallville through streaming services and Blu-ray/DVD while hoping that Clark Kent’s story will continue in animated form in the near future.
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