The Untold Secrets: Why Tom Welling's Complete Superman Suit Remained a Mystery on Smallville

Summary

Tom Welling never wore the full Superman suit in Smallville due to the show's focus on Clark Kent's journey of self-discovery and becoming the best version of himself.

Smallville's adherence to the "No Tights, No Flights" rule effectively preserved Clark Kent's identity crisis and set it apart from subsequent Arrowverse shows. Consequently, the chance for Tom Welling to don the Superman suit has vanished with the conclusion of Crisis on Infinite Earths, leaving no immediate prospects for a live-action Smallville resurgence.

Tom Welling never had the opportunity to wear the complete Superman suit in Smallville, despite coming close. The show, which started in 2001 and ran for ten seasons, followed the journey of a young Clark Kent as he discovered his powers while in high school. He then had to come to terms with their meaning, uncover his Kryptonian heritage, establish his role as Earth's protector, and transform into Superman. Welling portrayed Clark Kent in Smallville, skillfully embodying Superman's virtuous nature from the comics. Through his sincere portrayal, Clark remained grounded amidst the numerous changes occurring throughout the series.

Smallville introduced various characters from Superman's universe, including memorable performances by Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor, Kristin Kreuk as Lana Lang, and Erica Durance as Lois Lane. While Rosenbaum's portrayal of Lex Luthor played a significant role in the show, providing insight into Clark and Lex's friendship before their famous rivalry began, he was not the only Superman villain to appear before Clark fully embraced his Superman persona. It becomes evident upon revisiting Smallville that the series intentionally delayed Clark's transformation into Superman, and there is a purpose behind this decision.

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Tom Welling Never Wore The Superman Suit Because Smallville Wasn't That Kind Of Show

Welling never actually donned Superman's iconic suit during his time on Smallville, except for one brief moment in the closing scene. As Clark raced through Smallville, he quickly revealed the House of El symbol on his chest by unbuttoning his shirt. So why did Welling never get to fully suit up as the Man of Steel? The answer lies in the fundamental principle of the show: the "No Tights, No Flights" rule. This rule, devised by Smallville's creators, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, was implemented to ensure that the series remained focused on the transformative journey of a young Clark Kent. The emphasis was on him discovering his extraordinary abilities, gaining control over them, and ultimately uncovering his true identity as Superman.

How Smallville Would've Been Different With A Proper Superman Suit

In Smallville, there was a strict rule that prohibited Clark Kent from wearing the Superman suit or flying during the series. This rule was put in place to preserve the essence of Clark's journey, as becoming Superman would have made things too easy for him. The character of Clark was on a personal quest to discover his origins, accept his destiny, and strive to become the best version of himself. If Clark had become Superman before the series concluded, this journey of self-discovery would have been compromised, as there would be little conflict surrounding his identity. Furthermore, Smallville was not focused on showcasing extravagant CGI fights that would have been necessary for Welling's portrayal of Superman.

Smallville served as the precursor for the subsequent expansion of the DC TV universe known as the Arrowverse. Following Smallville's conclusion in 2011, with its tenth season being Tom Welling's final portrayal of Clark Kent, the Arrowverse came into fruition a year later when Stephen Amell donned the Green Arrow suit in the premiere of Arrow. Notably, Justin Hartley had previously portrayed the same hero in Smallville. Smallville revolved around Clark's journey to self-acceptance and exploration of his identity as both an individual and a superhero. Had Clark transitioned into Superman earlier than the show's final episode, the similarities between Smallville and the later Arrowverse series might have been too pronounced.

After relocating to Metropolis and landing a job at the Daily Planet, Clark's presence in Smallville became devoid of the iconic Superman persona. If Welling had assumed the mantle, the show's last three seasons could have perfectly delved into the exciting realm of comic book adventures, featuring a pristine blend of intense drama and dazzling battles between Superman and the unforgettable villains that emerged in Smallville's later episodes, akin to the dynamic presented in Superman & Lois. Being restricted to operating as the Blur impeded Clark's growth in Smallville, and the final installments of the series had the potential to flourish as a captivating Superman saga.

Why Tom Welling Didn't Wear A Superman Suit In Crisis on Infinite Earths

The Arrowverse gained popularity through its crossover events, bringing together various shows to unite heroes like Amell's Green Arrow, Grant Gustin's The Flash, and Melissa Benoist's Supergirl in their efforts to save the DC TV universe. In the Arrowverse's historic Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, which is considered one of the most ambitious in television history, several actors returned to portray their iconic roles from past DC movies and TV shows. Welling, who had portrayed Clark Kent in Smallville, made a highly-anticipated comeback alongside Durance's Lois Lane in the 2019 episode "Crisis on Infinite Earths: Part Two," showcasing an older version of the character. Unlike his previous portrayal in Smallville, Welling did not don the superhero costume and assume the mantle of Superman.

Will Tom Welling Ever Return As Clark Kent And Wear The Superman Suit?

There's a compelling reasoning behind Welling's decision not to portray Superman in Crisis on Infinite Earths. In the TV series Smallville, Clark's character arc revolved around embarking on a self-discovery journey that ultimately led to him becoming the iconic hero. However, in the Arrowverse timeline, which occurs years after Smallville, it is revealed that Welling's Clark Kent has relinquished his powers. As a result, there was no practical motive for the actor to transform into the full-fledged Superman costume. Although the unveiling in Crisis on Infinite Earths might have seemed underwhelming, it honored the essence of Smallville and showcased the happy life that Clark and Lois share with their daughters.

Following the revelation in Crisis on Infinite Earths, it is highly unlikely that Welling will ever don the iconic Superman suit. Considering the massive scale of the Arrowverse crossover, where even Brandon Routh returned to portray an older version of his Man of Steel from Superman Returns, Crisis on Infinite Earths presented the perfect opportunity for Welling to reprise his role as Smallville's Clark Kent and finally appear as Superman onscreen. However, with Superman & Lois projected to run for a few more seasons before David Corenswet's Superman from James Gunn's upcoming Superman: Legacy takes over as the sole live-action Superman, it appears that the opportunity for Welling to wear the Superman suit has now passed.

There is a possibility that Gunn's new DC Universe may produce its own version of Crisis on Infinite Earths in the future. In this scenario, Welling might have the opportunity to portray Superman. However, this outcome is unlikely. Instead of a live-action Smallville revival, plans are underway for a Smallville animated series featuring Welling, Rosenbaum, Durance, and other returning cast members to continue the show's story. Consequently, it appears that a live-action Smallville revival is not currently being considered. Nonetheless, if the Smallville animated series progresses, DC fans may have the chance to hear Welling's voice as Superman, even if he never portrays the character in a live-action capacity.