Smallville star as Superman?

[Fzoulcmbyl]

From Superhero Hype:

One of the most-discussed topics on the SHH! Superman message boards has been whether or not The WB's Smallville star Tom Welling should play Superman in the new Warner Bros. big screen adaptation.

Back in December, Welling said that he had been approached about the lead role when director Brett Ratner was still on board the project. "I actually went to Brett's house in Los Angeles and we sat down and talked about it a little bit, both knowing that scheduling would always be an issue," Welling said. "Basically, if that movie were to happen, the show would pretty much have to go away, and I don't think that's what anybody wants."

Now, artist Alex Ross has provided Superhero Hype! with an exclusive look at two drawings he did for the possible film, were Welling to play the role. The drawings were not done for the studio, Alex did these on his own to see what Welling might look like. You can view the drawings below, and also be sure to stay tuned to AlexRossArt.com for the latest on his projects.

SuperheroHype (http://superherohype.com/superman/index.php?id=1205)


* Looks good to me.

:thumbup:


Fzoul

[Bruenor]

Hell yeah, Tom Welling would make a great Superman. Especially since he is already intimate with the role.

Maybe I have a little bias though, Smallville is the only show I watch on TV and enjoy regularly that isn't sports, but seriously, he would make a great Superman.

Sure in the hell beats that hack Brandan Fraser!

[Tavo]

I agree, he would make a good super man. And yeah, the show is fun with the occasional hot girl.

[Kalbrecht]

Um...is that Supes with a hoodie cape?

Otherwise - I wholeheartedly agree. I've been hoping for something like this for a while. He's as close as we'll get to a good Superman, with his combination of innocence and boy scout belief. He's also SO much better than the others who've been nominated, like Ashton Kutcher etc.

[RHooks]

I like the idea of continuity, but Wellings too young.

[TWC_Orgazm]

Tom Welling should play Superman, and I think Lana should be in it too, she is super sexy! :)~

[Bruenor]

I like the idea of continuity, but Wellings too young.

Out of curiosity, how old do you think someone should be to play Superman? Tom Welling's real age is 27, is that still too young?

I don't know if he is too young or not, but I guess it depends on the time period of the movie too.

[RHooks]

Traditional Superman is mid to lower thirtyish kind of square guy. As I said, I like the concept. I don't watch Smallville on a regular basis but I like what I've seen. Welling is good. I just think he needs to look a little more mature. He doesn't even look 27 to me.

:eek:

[Kalbrecht]

Age being a factor would depend on the story for the movie, though...he looks young, but Supes always did - he's the eternal boy scout.

[Bruenor]

Age being a factor would depend on the story for the movie, though...he looks young, but Supes always did - he's the eternal boy scout.

That's what I was thinking. If the movie story takes place as Clark leaves Smallville for Metropolis, and becomes Superman, than Tom Welling should work. You could even tie it in to the series finale if it were timed right (of course the movie should still be able to stand on its own for non-fans of the series).

EDIT: All this talk about Superman made me download the Superman theme from the movies. Last time I downloaded it was when Christopher Reeve made his first appearance on Smallville, they had the theme playing in the background when he first appeared. Kindy classy, and a nice homage to fans of the Chrisopher Reeve Superman movies (like me).

[Chylde Roland]

I don't really like the show, but I think he'd do a fine job in a movie role. He definitely has that "boy scout" look about him, which will do well.

[Terry Penrod]

.

Age being a factor would depend on the story for the movie, though...he looks young, but Supes always did - he's the eternal boy scout.

With a different script, cast, direction, make-up, lighting, etc. - at 27 - age is hardly a problem for him. The bigger question is whether or not his small screen appeal as a teenage Clark Kent / Superboy in Smallville will actually translate to the big screen as an adult Superman in Metroplois and beyond.

I tend to think he is a pretty good actor for the TV role that he currently has but still have doubts about the above transition. However, if the studio does proper testing, they will be able to determine if he can personally handle it and more importantly, if audiences will buy into the concept.

Either way, he certainly looks the part and he is no younger than Christopher Reeve was when he debuted as a virtual unknown in Superman (1978) opposite Gene Hackman, Marlon Brando and a host of other heavy-duty, veteran Hollywood actors. Besides, as mentioned above, we simply don't know what the exact timeframe of the movie is. So he could very well be the perfect age for the part.

Cheers, Terry

.

[Gaim Mastr]

If they actually play off of the continuity of the Smallville series, and finally give the guy the ability to fly, then yes I could see it working quite well.

Makes me wonder what they're going to do with the series. I think the show is on its way down hill. How many more meteor rock infected freaks-of-the-week are we supposed to see? How many more sappy failed love connections between Lana and Clark are we supposed to see ??

Good series with good actors. But it's time for Clark to move on to university at the very least. Or send him to Metropolis as a new intern for the Daily Planet.

Variety is the spice of life. And lately the series has been feeling a little bland.

But I seriously think that they should do away with the underpants on the outside of the Spandex leggings costume. Great for comic heroes of the 40s & 50s. Not so good for modern cinema and audiences. I like what they did with the X-Men in terms of theatrical costume design.

[MasterChief]

I've watched the show since it started and honestly I'm a little bored with it now. The same thing seems to happen every episode...Clark/family member of clark/friend nearly dies by the hand of some wacko affected by the meteor shower, clark vanquishes wacko, clark and lana get into an argument about their relationship...rinse, repeat, etc.

EDIT: oops, now that I read the thread I see gaim said basically the same thing i did

[Bruenor]

While I agree that Smallville should head into a new direction, especially with regards to Clark leaving Smallville for Metropolis, the one thing I absolutely love about the series is watching Lex Luthor's slow descent into madness. That was a welcome twist to the Superman lore/universe for myself. Having Clark and Lex friends, watching how Lex struggles with his own morality, choosing between what he raised/trained to do from his father and what he feels is the right thing to do, the effect of his mother's death, the relationships he has had with other people, etc. So much better than the typical super villian crap in the comic. IMO, Lex is a truely complex character in an otherwise simple teen-oriented show, and is the strongest part of the show. Now if only my wife would stop telling how hot Lex is everytime I watch the damn show, everything would be fine.

[Kalbrecht]

I think this could do wonders for the series IF it's established in continuity.

I like the idea of Clark going to Metropolis for the first time. There's some continuity, and it works well with Wellings' age.

I agree with Terry - TV actors do not always make good movie actors *coughDAVIDCARUSOcough* But unfortunately there aren't that many options, and the names who've popped up have been pretty wrong.

The only alternative movie actor I can think of is Chris Klein.