Long-awaited Superman project may not make it to the screen after all

As a seasoned Superman fan and someone who has grown up with the Man of Steel gracing the pages of comic books, the big screen, and our television sets, I can confidently say that these are exciting times indeed! With James Gunn’s upcoming live-action project, the critically acclaimed TV series “Superman & Lois,” and an animated show titled “My Adventures with Superman,” it feels like a Superman renaissance is upon us.

2022 looks like an exciting year for Superman enthusiasts! The Man of Steel is set to make a live-action comeback next year as part of James Gunn and Peter Safran’s DC Universe, with the film titled simply Superman, directed by none other than James Gunn. Additionally, he stars in the critically acclaimed TV series Superman and Lois on The CW, and takes center stage in his own animated show called My Adventures With Superman.

The DC superhero has a rich background across those three platforms, so having them all unfold nearly simultaneously is similar to a greatest hits concert tour. It’s no wonder that this new era for Superman is taking place, given that the Man of Steel is one of the most widely recognized and adored superheroes to have graced the pages of comics, appeared in films, or made television appearances. His appeal transcends time, and the coexistence of these properties (including their small screen adaptation from the previous DC Extended Universe) demonstrates this enduring popularity.

Meanwhile, within the fervent fan community, another Superman project has sparked great anticipation. Yet, recent interviews with one of the prospective actors hint that this may not materialize – at least for now.

Smallville animated series stalls at Warner Bros; needs their permission

According to a recent chat with Screen Rant, Smallville icon Tom Welling shared that the much-awaited animated project they’ve been developing alongside co-star Michael Rosenbaum is still waiting for approval from Warner Bros.

Speaking to the outlet at Comic-Con Stockholm, he said:

We want it to work. The honest answer is we have not been able to get Warner Brothers to give us the thumbs up. We need their permission.

The passion for the project is clear on their part, as the duo first announced the idea to the world back in 2021 when promoting the 20th anniversary of the live-action series (and its Blu-ray release), and fans are certainly excited at the prospect of seeing a sequel happen. But Warner Bros. Discovery has been busy creating a new DC Universe with its own live-action and animated projects, which may explain why development on the animated series hasn’t gone much further.

Welling admits that it’s not currently on their agenda, noting further that he hasn’t received any response from Warner Bros. as of yet.

We haven’t even gotten a response! It’s the weirdest thing because it is more of a fan-driven idea. It’s not going to be a blockbuster. It’s not going to be a financial windfall for any of us. We all like each other, we all like working together, and if we could do it, it’d be fun. But Warner Bros. – and I’m not hating on them – they just haven’t gotten back to us. It’s not a priority for them. It’s like a not-returning-phone-calls-thing.

Currently, Warner Bros. Discovery is concentrating on initiating the DC Universe franchise, starting with an animated series titled “Creature Commandos.” However, the franchise will truly gain momentum next year with Gunn’s own “Superman” production, featuring David Corenswet, Rachel Brosnahan, and Nicholas Hoult. It’s said that this new Superman project is a significant factor in the early conclusion of The CW’s “Superman and Lois,” as the studio aims to avoid multiple Superman-related projects in the marketplace.

The question of whether the future of the Smallville TV series will be influenced by an upcoming animated project is still uncertain, but considering other successful animated series like My Adventures With Superman have been renewed, there’s no reason to believe the Smallville spin-off won’t proceed. It may not be part of the DC Universe continuity, but its audience would understand that.

Before the Warner Bros./Discovery merger, Welling and Rosenbaum were working on the Smallville animated series. Given that the new leadership might be more interested in projects currently in development rather than managing multiple TV and movie franchises within the DC umbrella, it’s possible they won’t prioritize this show right away. However, just because it’s not their immediate focus doesn’t mean it won’t happen eventually. Given fan enthusiasm for the project, it could still become a reality at some point in the future.

Long-awaited Superman project may not make it to the screen after all

The television series titled “Smallville” holds the record for the longest-running live-action superhero show in history. This popular show spanned over 10 seasons, starting in 2001 and ending in 2011. During its run, it aired for five seasons on The WB and another five seasons on The CW. Despite the fact that superheroes were not as prominent or successful at the box office as they are now, “Smallville” managed to excel during this time period by balancing elements of teen/family drama, which were particularly popular at the time. As Clark Kent grew up and moved to Metropolis, the show gradually transitioned into a more traditional superhero series.

It’s undeniable that the influence of “Smallville” opened up a new era for superhero TV shows in the 2010s, most notably The CW’s Arrowverse which includes hits like “Arrow” and “The Flash,” both of which had extended runs that came incredibly close to matching “Smallville’s” remarkable duration.

Considering the significant impact the series has left, it would undeniably be spectacular if an animated adaptation were to materialize. With its vast array of fans spanning various generations, it’s clear that a continuation of the story would be warmly welcomed. After dedicating numerous years to nurturing this show, Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum have certainly earned the chance to see their creation animate on our screens once more in the not-so-distant future.

Pick up the phone, Warner Bros.!

2024-11-08 05:01

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