For years, Smallville followers have been anticipating a continuation of the beloved Superman collection, with stars Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum actively championing an animated sequel collection.
Nonetheless, in line with Smallville co-creator Al Gough, the undertaking has hit a roadblock which may hold it on the shelf for the foreseeable future.
Throughout an look on the Speak Ville podcast (hosted by Welling and Rosenbaum), Gough make clear the standing of the sequel, pointing to behind-the-scenes shifts at Warner Bros. as a key cause for the delay.
The upcoming Superman movie from James Gunn seems to be the first issue protecting the Smallville sequel from shifting ahead.
Gough defined: “That’s the factor, I believe the issue with most initiatives in growth in any studio and/or any community is regime change. Warners has clearly gone by means of loads, and I believe the truth that they’re within the means of rebooting Superman once more, type of sadly, I believe, retains our factor off the desk for a bit. The whole lot comes round in a single kind or one other, I simply learn the opposite day that they’re rebooting Buffy for Hulu.”
The Smallville sequel has been in dialogue for a while, with Welling first confirming plans again in 2022. The thought was for the animated collection to select up proper the place the live-action present left off, persevering with Clark Kent’s journey in a brand new medium.
Nonetheless, securing Warner Bros.’ approval has confirmed to be a serious hurdle. “We’d like their permission,” Welling acknowledged final 12 months.
With Gunn’s Superman hitting theaters this July, Warner Bros. is concentrated on launching its new DC Universe. The animated collection Creature Commandos debuted in late 2024 as the primary official entry within the DCU, and several other different initiatives are in growth.
Given the burden that Superman carries, it’s primarily the franchise’s basis and Warner Bros. clearly doesn’t need any new competing Superman-associated tales drawing consideration away from the movie.
That being mentioned, historical past reveals that a number of Superman tales can coexist. Smallville was nonetheless on the air when Superman Returns hit theaters in 2006, although that was earlier than interconnected cinematic universes grew to become Hollywood’s normal.
In in the present day’s local weather, Warner Bros. appears decided to maintain audiences targeted on a singular imaginative and prescient, no less than for now.
Nonetheless, there are Elseworlds initiatives, which include tales set outdoors the principle DCU continuity. These initiatives are nonetheless on the desk, so if the DC Universe good points momentum, Warner Bros. could also be extra open to greenlighting different out-of-continuity tales.
A Smallville sequel would match proper in, and if the demand stays sturdy, Possibly Warner Bros. will ultimately transfer ahead with it. However, we’ll have to attend and see.
