The highly anticipated animated sequel to Smallville, featuring Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum, faces a significant hurdle, but there’s still a glimmer of hope that this cherished DC television series will eventually come to fruition. Originally concluding in May 2011, Smallville was honored with a spiritual successor through a limited comic book series titled “Smallville Season 11.”In addition, Welling reprised his iconic role as Clark Kent during the Arrowverse’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths,”alongside Elizabeth Tulloch as Lois Lane. Meanwhile, Tyler Hoechlin, who took on the mantle of Superman following Welling, concluded his portrayal with the finale of Superman & Lois in December 2024.
Back in 2021, Welling and Rosenbaum unveiled their plans for an animated sequel series of Smallville. They have revitalized interest in the show through their podcast, Talk Ville, where they engage with co-stars and industry peers, highlighting their strong connection. However, despite the enthusiasm surrounding the animated project, it has been four years since its announcement, and development has stalled. A recent update from 2025 indicates that the timeline for bringing this much-loved series back might be extended even further.
2025 Update on the Smallville Sequel: Hope Dimmed
Current Status: Stagnation in Development
In March 2025, Al Gough, the co-creator of Smallville, shared that progress on the animated sequel hinges on approval from Warner Bros. However, due to Warner Bros. and DC Studios’ ongoing efforts to reboot Superman, the animated series continues to remain “off the table”for the foreseeable future. This is especially relevant as James Gunn’s new Superman movie is set to launch the DC Universe (DCU) live-action project slate in July 2025, necessitating a concentrated focus that may sideline other Superman representations.
Adding to this, Superman & Lois faced cancellation despite its popularity and potential for extended storytelling. While the cancellation wasn’t explicitly linked to the new Superman narrative, it underscores the commitment of Warner Bros. and DC to direct all attention toward the debut of David Corenswet’s Superman, at least while the new DCU strives to establish its foundation. Currently, DC Studios is managing a myriad of live-action and animated projects, with at least twelve new titles under the banner of Gods and Monsters slated for the coming years.
Renewed Optimism for the Smallville Sequel
The Future of Superman: Exploring Elseworlds
Although David Corenswet’s portrayal of Superman is at the forefront of DCU’s plans in 2025, Warner Bros. might open the door for other Superman variations in a couple of years following the establishment of the DCU’s first chapter. This could allow for alternate Superman narratives to coexist independently of the main DCU trajectory, as long as they remain mindful of Corenswet’s storyline. For instance, if Corenswet’s Superman stands prominently in a concurrent DCU animated series, subsequent Superman projects must avoid overlapping plots or characters to preserve clarity for the audience.
Historically, DC TV series encountered restrictions regarding Batman’s appearances, primarily limited to cinematic portrayals. This was evident as Batman was excluded from Smallville and the Arrowverse. Presently, there are multiple Batman portrayals in cinemas, including Ben Affleck, Michael Keaton, and Robert Pattinson, each with distinctive arcs. In a similar vein, David Corenswet’s Superman could serve as the central figure while Tom Welling’s Clark Kent continues his unique storyline in an Elseworlds animated sequel.
The DC Universe Embracing Alternate-Ideas
My Adventures with Superman: A New Hope
In 2025, as David Corenswet’s Superman takes center stage within the DCU, another Superman-centric show, My Adventures with Superman, continues to thrive, successfully airing two well-received seasons in 2023 and 2024. Instead of axing this popular show to create space for the new Superman narrative, Warner Bros. announced a renewal for a third season and the greenlighting of a My Adventures with Green Lantern spinoff series.
Similar to the animated Elseworlds series, including My Adventures with Superman and its upcoming counterpart, the planned Smallville animated sequel could strategically exist alongside the DCU, creating a rich tapestry of storytelling possibilities. While James Gunn’s portrayal of Superman will maintain exclusivity through 2025, it is crucial that the existence of Welling and Rosenbaum’s animated series does not lead to its cancellation, allowing fans to enjoy the continuation of Smallville.