Tom Welling has solid a agency place for himself inside superhero media by way of his position as Clark Kent on the WB/CW collection Smallville. For ten seasons, Welling performed out Kent’s in depth journey to changing into the Man of Metal and have become fairly synonymous with the character. With that, Welling finally turned “protecting” of the character, although he did choose to reprise it in Disaster on Infinite Earths, one of many Arrowverse’s crossovers. Now, the actor is discussing why he returned, and he revealed a eager suggestion he made on the set.
Smallville’s 10-season run led to 2011, seemingly ending the journey for Tom Welling’s Clark Kent and people in his orbit. So it was a nice shock when it was revealed that Welling would return for 2020’s Disaster occasion alongside Lois Lane actress Erica Durance. Whereas attending Fan Expo New Orleans alongside Durance and fellow co-stars Kristin Kreuk and Laura Vandvoort, the Draft Day alum was requested about his determination to reprise the position. Welling (as seen in a YouTube video) then proceeded to share a really considerate reply:
There had been some calls about me visiting some — when Smallville ended, there have been another reveals that clearly began, like Superman-ish. And I’d gotten some calls, however they had been all type of like — they weren’t me performing on these reveals, it was me enjoying Clark on these reveals. And I actually felt protecting of the truth that Clark wouldn’t exist on these reveals. After which, lastly, somebody who’s related to [Crisis] mentioned, ‘Hear, please simply learn it. It’s one scene, simply please learn it.’ And I learn it, and I used to be like, ‘Fuck, that’s good.’ … It was simply the one scene, and I used to be like, ‘Man, that is truly a good suggestion. That is the best way to do it.’
As for what that one scene (from “Disaster on Infinite Earths: Half Two”) entailed, it noticed Jon Cryer’s Lex Luthor go to the Kents’ farm on Earth-167. Luthor – who’d been killing Clarks throughout the multiverse – sought to do the identical to Tom Welling’s Kent. Nonetheless, the villain opted not to take action – resulting from his ego – after Clark revealed that he’d since given up his powers and settled down with Lois. And, after Luthor’s departure, Lane approached her associate to clarify that their daughters had been ready for him. It was a quick scene but in addition a candy one which serves as a stable bookend for Kent’s story.
I can nonetheless perceive why the Cheaper by the Dozen alum could be hesitant simply to take any alternative to reprise his character, although. There’s a variety of love and affection for his iteration of Mr. Kent. And, as has been mentioned by Smallville’s EPs, the Fog actor made for the “good” Clark Kent, so why mess with that legacy if it’s not value it? On the expo, the veteran actor went on to reference Clark’s large superhuman skills twist and extra, however I actually love the considerate manner he approached enjoying this model of Clark, which led to a refined suggestion:
Clark didn’t have his powers, and my manner into that scene was I wished to play Clark as if he grew into Jonathan Kent. Like, after I confirmed up, they didn’t have gloves for Clark, and I used to be like, ‘Can we get some gloves?’ And I ended up borrowing some gloves from one of many grips. As a result of I used to be like, ‘I don’t have superpowers.’ And it’s similar to bizarre issues that get you connected to characters, and I attempted to stroll just a little extra like John Schneider in a manner.
As a fan, I drastically respect simply how considerate the Winchesters alum was when approaching his return as Clark. I additionally love the truth that he went on to present Erica Durance kudos for her transient look and for managing to rapidly respark the playful relationship that Clark and Lois possessed for some a few years. Followers are nonetheless pining to see extra of their dynamics and people of the opposite characters and, if among the forged get their manner, it might occur.
Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum (who performed Lex Luthor) have reportedly been making an attempt to supply an animated continuation collection, with the OG creators connected as nicely. Beforehand, Welling mentioned that for a derivative to occur, they’d want a agency reply from Warner Bros. So it’s onerous to say whether or not that challenge will come to fruition however, on the very least, I’m glad Welling and Erica Durance determined to return for Disaster and managed to present some additional sense of closure to their characters.
All ten seasons of Smallville are actually out there to stream with a Hulu subscription. You too can head over to Tubi to observe Tom Welling’s return as Clark Kent on Batwoman’s “Disaster on Infinite Earths: Half Two.”