Smallville Animated Sequel Series Gets Frustrating Update From Warner Bros.

As a long-time Smallville fan, it’s disheartening to hear about the ongoing struggles to get the animated sequel off the ground. Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum’s passion for the project is evident, but the lack of response from Warner Brothers is frustrating, especially considering the series’ enduring popularity among fans.

As a die-hard Smallville fan, I was hyped up when I heard about the animated sequel series in the works. But, here’s the kicker: Tom Welling, our beloved Clark Kent himself, shared some frustrating news with Screen Rant. The project that he and Michael Rosenbaum have been working on hasn’t made any significant progress because Warner Brothers hasn’t even replied to their pitch yet! That means we’re still waiting for the studio’s green light before things move forward. Tom also hinted at some possible reasons behind the delay, and from what I gather, it seems like priority is what’s holding us back.

Welling stated, “We aim for it to succeed” when questioned about the animated show. Essentially, what he means is that we haven’t managed to secure approval from Warner Brothers yet. However, we require their consent before moving forward.

He stated that when asked for further information, he hadn’t received a reply yet. This is peculiar because the concept originated from fans and isn’t expected to be a massive blockbuster or a significant financial gain for anyone involved. Instead, it’s an opportunity for us all to collaborate again, something we enjoy doing. However, Warner Bros., to whom the idea was pitched, haven’t responded. It seems like this project isn’t a priority for them at the moment; they’re like someone who doesn’t return calls promptly.

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For several years now, there’s been talk about a sequel to the animated version of “Smallville.” Back in this year, Rosenbaum shared with ComicBook that they had some animations they were working on and were quite pleased with the results. At that time, Rosenbaum mentioned that when the perfect moment comes, they would pitch it. It seems like they believe that moment is now, but it appears they haven’t been given the chance to present their idea yet.

There are several factors explaining this situation. In recent years, there have been significant shifts concerning DC IPs at Warner Brothers, with one of the most notable being the establishment of DC Studios by co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran. Their DCU is due to debut starting December 5th with the television series “Creature Commandos” on Max, followed by the film “Superman” on July 11, 2025. As these projects approach, it’s unlikely that revisiting a series like “Smallville,” which was well-liked and popular in its day but ended over a decade ago, would be high on their priority list. Moreover, Welling himself acknowledged that the animated “Smallville” sequel is primarily driven by fans rather than having significant financial potential for the studio, and profitability is crucial when it comes to entertainment choices, particularly animation decisions.

Speaking of the animated adaptation of “Smallville,” it will serve as a continuation of the initial series, with Welling stating in 2022 that it will proceed immediately from where the “Smallville” finale left off. However, this new story will be independent and they aim to include the original cast members as well.

The animated series we’re creating continues directly from the end of Smallville and tells a unique tale of its own. Our intention is to bring Erica back, although getting Allison might be challenging. Sam Jones III (Pete Ross) and Lionel Luthor will play significant roles in this project. John Glover has shown interest, and we’ve made preparations for the animation. The scripts are still pending as Al and Miles are currently working on films similar to Tim Burton’s style. Once they complete their projects, we plan to move forward with ours. I hope to voice Clark, while Erica voices Lois, which will be an exciting part of it. They may craft a story that is distinct, novel, and could be considered a part of the multiverse. Let’s see where this journey takes us; it promises to be fun!

2024-11-07 09:09

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