Unveiling the Untold Truth Behind Smallville Season 11's Abrupt Ending
Unraveling the Mystery Behind Smallville Season 11's Cancellation: Exploring its Ratings, Comic Adaptation, and the Impact of Crisis on Infinite Earths
Summary
The non-production of Smallville season 11 can be attributed to the show's decline in ratings and the substantial expenses incurred in creating its elaborate special effects and action sequences. Additionally, this decision aligns with the central idea of the series, which primarily revolves around depicting Clark Kent's journey prior to assuming the mantle of Superman.
Smallville season 11 actually materialized as a comic book series, carrying on the narrative beyond the series finale. The comic showcased the adventures of Superman, Lex Luthor, the Justice League, and even introduced Batman into this universe.
Furthermore, Smallville made a comeback in the Crisis On Infinite Earths crossover event, providing closure to the show. Discussions have also arisen about the possibility of an animated continuation, delving into Clark's retirement as Superman and the subsequent reawakening of his extraordinary abilities.
Smallville season 11 had the potential to continue the beloved series, but the DC TV show depicting the origin story of Superman concluded in season 10. While Smallville was highly popular as a Superman prequel, uncertainty surrounded its continuation during its last few seasons. The question of whether each of Smallville's last three seasons would be its last lingered until season 10 was officially announced as the final chapter.
Despite Smallville's continued popularity leading up to season 10, it did not ultimately continue into season 11. This decision allowed the show to remain a decade-long saga of Tom Welling's Clark Kent, showcasing his journey from a farm boy in Kansas to becoming the iconic Man of Steel. However, even though Smallville officially wrapped up in 2011, it has never truly retired, with a few comebacks and continuation stories featuring its characters in the years that followed. Here is an exploration of why Smallville season 11 did not come to fruition and how the characters' narratives progressed after the show's conclusion.
Smallville Season 11 May Have Been Cancelled Due To Ratings
The reasons behind the non-occurrence of Smallville season 11 have never been officially disclosed, but there are several potential factors related to the show itself. Throughout its 10-year run, Smallville was a significant ratings success for both the WB and later CW networks. However, it is common for TV shows to experience a decline in ratings over time, regardless of their popularity. This decline in ratings may have indicated to the network that season 10 was the appropriate time to conclude Smallville.
The cancellation of Smallville season 11 may not have been solely due to ratings, but could have also been influenced by the show's high production costs. As a television series based on Superman, Smallville incorporated superpowers, metahuman heroes, and CGI-driven action scenes, making it an expensive live-action production for The CW. Networks often evaluate the balance between budget and ratings when determining whether to proceed with additional seasons. It is possible that the combination of Smallville's budget and its declining ratings in later seasons led to the decision to conclude the series with season 10.
Additionally, one of the main reasons why Smallville concluded with season 10 can be attributed to the show's central premise. Being centered around Superman's early life before donning the iconic suit, Smallville was bound to reach a point where the "no tights, no flights" concept could no longer be sustained. While factors such as ratings and budgetary considerations may have influenced the decision to end the show, it's crucial to acknowledge that Smallville always had a predetermined ending. Season 10 simply happened to be that endpoint. Nevertheless, this did not hinder the show's narrative and characters from transitioning into a fresh storytelling platform.
Smallville Season 11 Happened In The Comics
Smallville's Defined Ending and Transition
Despite concluding as a live-action television series in 2011 after a successful ten-season run, Smallville found new life in the form of a comic book series, Smallville season 11. This continuation of the beloved show takes place after its original conclusion, showcasing Clark Kent as the iconic superhero, Superman. Meanwhile, Lex Luthor transforms into a formidable criminal mastermind, and the Justice League persists in their mission to combat both human and metahuman villains worldwide. Remarkably, Smallville season 11 also introduces unexpected plot twists and surprises, such as the return of Lana Lang, who emerges as the valiant "Angel of the Plateau" after her intense battles against terrorists in Africa.
Crisis On Infinite Earths Gave Smallville A New Ending
The Smallville universe witnessed the official introduction of Batman in season 11, bringing forth the Dark Knight in various captivating storylines like "Detective," "Effigy," and "Hollow." Barbara Gordon took up the role of Robin, being reimagined as Nightwing. Furthermore, Green Arrow returned and remained one of Clark's most trusted comrades throughout Smallville season 11. Spanning 22 issues from 2012 to 2015, the comic book series aptly encompassed the length of a full television season. Moreover, a few years after the conclusion of the Smallville season 11 comic book run, the universe experienced another revival.
In 2019, Smallville made its much-anticipated return to television screens as part of The CW's Crisis On Infinite Earths crossover event. This crossover, based on the popular DC Comics story of the same name, serves as a way to connect all DC movies and TV shows within a larger multiverse. The Arrowverse, in particular, highlights this concept in a powerful scene where Grant Gustin's version of The Flash comes face-to-face with Ezra Miller's interpretation. During the Crisis, Smallville played a pivotal role, bringing together Tyler Hoechlin's Superman, Elizabeth Tulloch's Lois Lane, and Candice Patton's Iris West as they encounter Tom Welling's more seasoned Clark Kent on the iconic Kent Farm.
Shortly after that, Arrowverse's Lex Luthor, played by Jon Cryer, also visits Clark in an attempt to defeat him using a Kryptonite rock. To Lex's surprise, Clark effortlessly takes the Kryptonite from his hand and throws it away, indicating that he has willingly given up his powers to prioritize his family life with Lois Lane, portrayed by Erica Durance. During their encounter, Crisis hints at Clark's previous career as Superman, and Clark mentions that he hasn't missed their conversations before knocking out Lex, who then disappears to another universe. Overall, Tom Welling and Erica Durance's cameo in Crisis serves as a sort of conclusion to Smallville.
Despite this, Crisis on Infinite Earths may not be the ultimate end for the Smallville universe. Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum are currently developing an animated continuation of Smallville, leaving viewers eager to see how it will unfold. It remains to be seen whether this new series will take place before or after the multiversal crossover in Crisis, and whether Clark will reactivate his powers and return as Superman after retiring. Both possibilities are intriguing, as they could essentially act as a potential Smallville season 12, since a televised season 11 of the show never materialized.
