Prepare to have your superhero dreams shattered as new fan art flips the script, casting Tom Welling and his Smallville co-stars as iconic Avengers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Rewind to 2008 when the MCU was still finding its footing and the superhero genre was a mere fraction of what it is today. Meanwhile, Smallville was captivating audiences with its unique take on DC’s beloved characters, leading the charge before the era of cinematic universes.
Buffy2Ville, a talented artist, recently unveiled a mesmerizing gallery featuring Welling (Clark Kent/Superman) as Captain America, Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor) as Iron Man, Erica Durance (Lois Lane) as Black Widow, Kristin Kreuk (Lana Lang) as Scarlet Witch, and Justin Hartley (Green Arrow) as Hawkeye. This imaginative artwork showcases what could have been if these Smallville stars had embraced Marvel’s iconic heroes instead.
Curiosity looms large—could there ever be a possibility of Welling donning the superhero mantle again in either the DC Universe or the MCU? While Welling’s portrayal of the Man of Steel lasted an impressive decade, it’s not uncommon for superhero actors to find themselves returning to the genre in different capacities. With the MCU continuing its triumphant run and a new DC Universe unfolding, speculation swirls about whether Welling will immerse himself in either comic book franchise. Let’s not forget, Welling and Durance reprised their roles as Clark and Lois respectively in the Arrowverse’s Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover event back in 2019, almost a decade after Smallville waved goodbye.
In the realm of the DC Universe, Welling could explore a supporting role rather than tackle another superhero persona. Picture him in Superman: Legacy, embodying the mantle of a legacy actor while passing the torch to David Corenswet, the future Man of Tomorrow on the silver screen. Alternatively, joining the MCU would inject a thrilling zest into Welling’s career as he delves into an entirely different superhero domain.
Unfortunately, only time will reveal if Welling will reunite with the DC Universe or venture into the vast expanse of the MCU. The lingering impact of the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA strikes has paralyzed Hollywood, leaving everything on hold. Nevertheless, once the strikes draw to a close, we may witness progress on the Smallville animated sequel show that Welling has been working on, potentially reviving his role as the legendary Superman. Until that day arrives, fans can revel in the entirety of Welling’s Smallville legacy by streaming the series or owning it on Blu-ray/DVD.