The Untold Story: Smallville's Original Creators' Mysterious Departure After Season 7

Summary

Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the original creators of Smallville, departed from the series as it had exceeded their initial expectations. Gough revealed that their plan was to conclude the show after five seasons, but unexpectedly, it continued for a total of ten seasons.

Gough and Millar believed that Smallville had surpassed its initial idea of showcasing a teenage Clark Kent, with the series' ten seasons separated into five seasons depicting adolescence and five seasons portraying young adulthood leading up to the emergence of Superman.

With the departure of Gough and Millar, the possibility of a Smallville revival is rather slim, as Gough lacks a strong inclination to revisit the Smallville universe. Nevertheless, a potential continuation or crossover within the DC multiverse could potentially occur even without their direct participation.

Smallville, a television series that aired for 10 seasons, saw its original creators, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, depart after season seven. The show delved deep into the DC Universe and revolved around the growth of a young Clark Kent, who eventually becomes Superman, as he harnesses his powers during his teenage years. Initially, Smallville adhered to a "No tights, no flights" policy, which was occasionally bent to fit the progression of the story over its decade-long run.

Starting off with Clark Kent as a high school freshman, Smallville not only portrayed his journey towards becoming Superman but also his transition into adulthood. In the process, Clark encounters other superheroes and establishes Smallville's own rendition of the Justice League. Although Smallville offered an expansive Superman narrative, Gough and Millar, the creators, chose to part ways with the series after season seven. They went on to create other TV shows such as Into the Badlands, The Sahara Chronicles, and Wednesday. While an official reason for their departure was not given, a few statements made by Gough and Millar provide insight into their decision.

Smallville's Creators Have Implied They Left Because It Lasted Too Long

Smallville quickly gained immense popularity, making it the longest-running modern superhero TV series. After Gough and Millar's departure from Smallville following season 7, they expressed that the show had surpassed their initial vision. In an interview with THR, when asked what they would do differently on Smallville, Miles Millar responded by saying, "We were definitely cautious and very aware that we wanted to reach five seasons, but we ended up going for 10 seasons."

Gough and Millar's response to the question of revisiting Smallville suggests that they believe the story has been fully told, considering the continuous reinvention of Superman. The duo's comments imply that Smallville had surpassed its original concept of portraying Clark Kent as a teenager. In fact, the show can be divided into two distinct periods: five seasons showcasing Clark's adolescence and another five seasons depicting his journey into young adulthood prior to becoming Superman. Additional statements from Gough and Millar further support the notion that this was the primary reason for their departure from Smallville.

What Smallville's Original Creators Said When They Left The Show

Upon their departure from Smallville after season 7, Gough and Millar conveyed their gratitude to the show's dedicated fan base through an open letter (via Kryptonsite). They expressed their heartfelt appreciation, stating, "After much heartache and debate, we have made the decision to venture into new territories." With a sense of accomplishment, they further added, "Our vision remained uncompromised throughout, and we take pride in the fact that 'Smallville' has become the longest-running comic book based series of all time." These lines offer valuable insight into Gough and Millar's departure from the show, indicating that they left with a sense of fulfillment and contentment regarding their contributions.

At the same time, Gough and Millar's later statements may imply that they could have been compelled to conclude Smallville after season seven, if they had been given the opportunity. Given Smallville's consistent ratings success, this might indicate that Gough and Millar were aware that the series would carry on with or without their involvement. Ultimately, the two creators of Smallville might have come to the realization that, since they were creatively content with the show up until season seven, it was in their best interest to depart if the direction the show was taking did not align with their vision.

Smallville's Creators' Reason For Leaving Makes A Revival Incredibly Unlikely

Gough's lack of interest in returning to the Smallville universe suggests that a potential comeback for the show is unlikely. Gough and Millar would likely be necessary to kickstart such a revival. Without their involvement, the chances of Smallville 2.0 happening decrease significantly. However, it's important to note that a continuation of Smallville is still within the realm of possibility. The story of Smallville has already been continued in the Smallville season 11 comic book series. Additionally, Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum have expressed their desire to create an animated continuation of Smallville, which could potentially be done without Gough and Millar's direct participation.

In the era of superhero movies and TV shows, the multiverse has gained immense popularity. As a result, there is the possibility of Tom Welling reprising his role as Superman in a Superman multiverse film that draws inspiration from No Way Home. This unique crossover could unite Tom Welling's Superman with the portrayals by Henry Cavill, Brandon Routh, Tyler Hoechlin, and David Corenswett. Although a direct continuation of Smallville may be unlikely without the involvement of Gough and Millar, the DC multiverse retains the potential to explore the Smallville universe.