Tom Welling Isn’t Ruling Out a ‘Smallville’ Reboot as the Beloved Superman Series Hits a Major Milestone

It has been a quarter of a century since ‘Smallville’ first took flight, and fans are still holding out hope for a return to the Kent farm. The Superman prequel premiered on The WB on October 16, 2001, with Tom Welling stepping into the role of a young Clark Kent in a series that took creative liberties with the DC Comics mythology.

Across 10 seasons, the show also starred Kristin Kreuk, Michael Rosenbaum, Allison Mack, John Glover, Erica Durance, Annette O’Toole, John Schneider, and Justin Hartley. Welling appeared in every episode of the series’ run, while Rosenbaum became a fan favorite as Lex Luthor before departing after season 7 and returning for the 2011 finale.

To mark the anniversary, Welling and Rosenbaum reunited for a “How Well Do They Know Each Other?” video with Variety. When asked about a possible ‘Smallville’ reboot and which of them would say yes first, Welling admitted he “just can’t imagine” an idea that would convince him to return.

Then he quickly added a caveat. “Never say never,” he said, while Rosenbaum pointed out the obvious state of Hollywood, noting, “They’re rebooting everything.” It was a playful exchange, but it showed both stars are still clearly attached to the show that changed their lives.

Welling’s answer sounds a bit more open than some of his previous remarks. He had sounded pessimistic on Rosenbaum’s podcast ‘Inside of You’, suggesting a live-action reboot seemed unlikely for a show like theirs.

The pair have stayed closely connected to the series in other ways. In July 2022, they launched the ‘Talk Ville’ podcast, where they revisit every episode of ‘Smallville’ and share behind-the-scenes stories.

Welling and Rosenbaum have also spent years trying to bring back their versions of Clark and Lex through an animated continuation. Talk of the project first surfaced publicly in 2021, with the idea of picking up the story years later using the original cast’s voices.

The project has faced plenty of obstacles. Co-creator Alfred Gough previously indicated the series was off the table due to James Gunn’s new DC Universe, pointing to regime change as a common problem for projects in development.

Tom Welling says he “just can’t imagine” an idea for a “Smallville” reboot that’d convince him to return: “Never say never.” Michael Rosenbaum: “They’re rebooting everything.” Watch the full video: https://t.co/M1cvnOfIPD https://t.co/IJ2MOeonby

— Variety (@Variety) October 19, 2026

At Comic Con Liverpool, Rosenbaum explained that artwork had been created and that Gough and Miles Millar were attached, but that the team needed the right moment to pitch. Welling has added that progress ultimately depends on getting permission, since the property isn’t theirs to revive without approval.

More recently, the outlook has brightened somewhat. Welling has said the team is optimistic, noting that much of the heavy lifting has already been done, while Rosenbaum described the pitch written by Gough and Millar as spectacular.

The creators themselves appear open to the idea, too. Speaking about the anniversary, Gough told TheWrap that a return is something they are open to exploring, adding, “We never say never.”

‘Smallville’ helped pave the way for today’s wave of comic book adaptations, offering a more human take on Superman that resonated with multiple generations of viewers. Gough and Millar have pointed to Christopher Reeve passing the torch to Welling as one of their favorite moments from the series.

Twenty-five years later, the enthusiasm from fans, creators, and stars alike suggests the story of Clark and Lex may not be completely finished. Whether that comes through an animated sequel or something else entirely, the door is clearly not closed.

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