Smallville: The Cult TV Show That Inspired James Gunn’s Superman Movie

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James Gunn’s upcoming 2025 film, Superman, is being praised for its fresh approach to the classic superhero, but it draws inspiration from the early 2000s TV show Smallville. That show, which originally aired 25 years ago, is now gaining popularity with audiences worldwide.

James Gunn admits that Smallville heavily influenced his vision for the ultimate Superman movie and he’s thrilled the show is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Released in 2001, Smallville was groundbreaking for its time, offering a realistic and humanized origin story for Superman, portraying him with vulnerabilities and imperfections.

As a huge fan of superhero shows, I’ve noticed how many incredible ones have popped up on streaming services lately. But honestly, looking back, Smallville was doing all of this way before anyone else. It really set the standard for the grounded, realistic take on superheroes that we see in shows like The Boys, Daredevil, and Invincible today. I truly believe those shows wouldn’t be the same—or might not even exist—without Smallville paving the way.

Superman TV Show Smallville Debuted On TV 25 Years Ago

In October 2001, the TV show Smallville premiered on The WB, introducing audiences to a teenage Clark Kent growing up in rural Kansas. The show offered a realistic take on Superman’s beginnings, showing how everyday experiences shaped his journey to becoming a hero in ways viewers could relate to.

The show ran for ten seasons and gained a dedicated fanbase, appealing to both superhero enthusiasts and those who enjoy stories about growing up. Even after it finished in 2011, its popularity hasn’t waned. Over the past fifteen years, many other superhero TV series have tried to replicate its success, but none have managed to do so.

Smallville Was A Major Inspiration For James Gunn’s Superman Movie

As a big fan of both Smallville and the upcoming Superman movie, it’s really cool to hear James Gunn acknowledge how much the show influenced his vision. I always loved how Smallville established Lex Luthor’s company as LuthorCorp, and it’s awesome that Gunn kept that detail. Even more importantly, Smallville really focused on Clark choosing to become Superman, and I’m thrilled Gunn’s movie is doing the same – it makes the whole story so much more meaningful!

The upcoming 2025 Superman movie will have a brighter, more colorful look, similar to the Smallville TV series, and a departure from the darker tone of the earlier Zack Snyder films. The story appears to continue directly after Smallville ended, leading some to believe the movie is like a continuation of the show as a season eleven.

25 Years On, Smallville Is More Popular Than Ever

With the recent addition of Smallville to Netflix in multiple countries, the show is now performing very well on streaming charts around the world. This resurgence in popularity proves how much people still enjoy the series, and it’s clear James Gunn recognized that appeal when he drew inspiration from it for his Superman movie.

As a total movie and TV buff, I’ve always thought Smallville gets unfairly dismissed. It wasn’t just a flash in the pan from the early 2000s – it’s a genuinely classic show. It really changed the game for superhero TV when it first came out, and it’s amazing how it’s still attracting new fans today. You can definitely see its impact on recent DC shows like Superman & Lois and even something like The Penguin. It laid a lot of the groundwork, honestly.

James Gunn is planning a major revival of the Superman universe. He’s overseeing the upcoming Supergirl movie and will direct his own Superman sequel, Man of Tomorrow, currently scheduled for 2027. At the same time, the original Smallville series continues to be popular in reruns, and DC should avoid restarting it with a new version.

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2026-01-17 01:42