Exclusive: Tom Welling's Epic Superman Cameo in Smallville Fan Art Will Take Arrowverse Fans by Storm!

Summary

Smallville fans were disappointed that Tom Welling's Clark Kent didn't suit up as Superman in Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event.

A talented digital artist created and shared fan art showcasing Welling wearing the Superman suit, depicting his potential appearance. Despite Welling's earlier disinterest in revisiting his Smallville character donning a costume, the creative team behind the Arrowverse devised a compelling narrative that garnered his positive response.

The small town of Smallville has been buzzing with excitement as new fan art showcases Tom Welling's Clark Kent transforming into Superman for the Arrowverse crossover Crisis on Infinite Earths. With annual crossover events no longer possible due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, fans were thrilled to see Smallville's Clark Kent and Lois Lane, portrayed by Tom Welling and Erica Durance respectively, make a return in Crisis on Infinite Earths. Despite their reprisal, fans were left disappointed as Clark Kent never donned the iconic Superman suit during the crossover event, sparking mixed reactions.

Despite not getting to see Welling's Man of Steel in a costume, the digital artist jph_photoshop recently shared some fan-art of what he could have looked like in the Superman suit during Crisis on Infinite Earths. The edit is from the very end of Welling's Arrowverse cameo, as he was joined by Lois right after having encountered Jon Cryer's Lex Luthor.

Why Did Smallville's Tom Welling Not Suit Up As Superman In Crisis On Infinite Earths?

Despite the desires of Smallville viewers, Welling's appearance in superhero attire didn't materialize in Crisis on Infinite Earths. This can be attributed to various reasons. From a narrative standpoint, Clark confesses to Lex, portrayed by Cryer, that he willingly sacrificed his superpowers to live a normal human life with Lois and embrace fatherhood. The method by which Superman relinquished his abilities remains ambiguous but might have occurred subsequent to the events portrayed in the Smallville season 11 tie-in comic.

Looking beyond Crisis on Infinite Earths and delving into the behind-the-scenes details, Welling has previously expressed his reluctance to reprise his Smallville role in a costume prior to his visit to the Arrowverse. In order to appease Welling, the Arrowverse creative team carefully crafted a storyline that they believed he would respond positively to. Welling has acknowledged in interviews that he truly enjoyed their approach. If they had suggested a cameo appearance that required him to wear a costume, it is likely that Welling's memorable return to Smallville may never have materialized.

Only time will tell if 2019 was the final time viewers witnessed Welling's portrayal of the DC icon. Both Welling and Michael Rosenbaum, who portrayed Lex on the WB/CW drama, have been striving to revive Smallville as an animated show. However, it remains uncertain whether the project has been abandoned in light of the recent changes at Warner Bros. Discovery and DC Studios. For now, fans can relish in Welling's cameo in Crisis on Infinite Earths, as well as the entire Smallville series, available on home media and streaming platforms.

Source: jph_photoshop/Instagram