Sorry to burst anyone’s bubble, but now that the April Fool’s part of April 1 is over we can confirm this was an April Fool’s posting. However, we can hope at least some of this becomes true!
KryptonSite has received an exclusive update about the Smallville animated show that Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum are putting together for Warner Bros. Animation. While Warner Bros. has not officially committed to the series at this time, a series bible has been created with the duo’s plans for 8 episodes of a first season. We also now know the title of this project – it’s being referred to as “Metropolis” though it would not be surprising if the show is branded as “Smallville: Metropolis” for marketing purposes.
The show is being pitched to HBO Max who of course have had a lot of success with their Harley Quinn animated show. Episodes will be around 30-35 minutes in length, allowing for a fairly complete experience.
KryptonSite has obtained a copy of the series bible and while Tom and Michael will kill us if we reveal everything, we can share a few highlights:
- The show will NOT follow the continuity of the Smallville: Season Eleven comic books published by DC Comics and written by Bryan Q. Miller. However, Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum are aware of how popular those comics were, and Miller has been approached about writing one of the first season’s eight episodes.
- But where does it fit into continuity? The series takes place right where Smallville left off. Superman has arrived! And as such, the story of Smallville is over, in a way… Clark Kent has embraced his destiny to move into the future.
- YES flights, YES tights – as this is animated, we will finally see Tom Welling in the costume! Well, sort of.
- Currently signed on and ready to go once there’s a formal order are Tom Welling (Clark/Superman), Michael Rosenbaum (Lex), Erica Durance (Lois), Alessandro Juliani (Dr. Emil Hamilton), and Aaron Ashmore (Jimmy). Michael McKean is being approached to reprise his role as Perry White, and a new female reporter role is being cast to join Clark, Lois, and Jimmy at the Daily Planet. The series will also be looking for an up-and-coming Metropolis politician who will catch Lex Luthor’s romantic attention… and she might be even more dangerous than he is.
- Remember how Lex lost his memories in the Smallville “Finale?” Don’t worry — Tess Mercer’s sacrificial act was sadly for nothing. The amnesia was temporary, and Lex Luthor now remembers everything. The entire Lex Luthor journey on Smallville, everything that happened, he remembers… and Clark/Superman doesn’t know that he knows, which makes him all the more dangerous.
- There will be an episode taking place in the past featuring some folks from the early seasons – Kristin Kreuk, Sam Jones III, Eric Johnson, Annette O’Toole, John Glover, and John Schneider. Kristin and Annette are expected to be in a “present-day” story as well as Lana and Martha, respectively. Because of Allison Mack’s current legal situation, the role of Chloe will be voiced by Kristen Bell in the flashback.
- Some perhaps unexpected guest characters will be appearing throughout the first season. Emmanuelle Vaugier as Dr. Helen Bryce will be making her long-awaited (and alive!) return, causing drama for Lex, and the prodigal son Lucas may also make a return, though it’s currently unknown if actor Paul Wesley will be available to reprise the role. Some consideration has been made to doing an episode with Kyle Gallner as Impulse; this might be the episode that Bryan Q. Miller is being considered for as writer. Also, it sounds like Cassidy Freeman may be playing a role, but not as Tess.
- Justin Hartley is unavailable to reprise his role as Oliver Queen/Green Arrow in the show, but we do learn where Oliver Queen ended up: In Hollywood, producing a TV series called “Arrow” about his life. One of the episodes is a mystery that takes Lois and Clark to a fan convention in Metropolis when the actor playing Green Arrow goes missing. Considering that Stephen Amell has been on Michael’s “Inside of You” podcast multiple times, don’t be surprised if he’s the Green Arrow in question.
- Laura Vandervoort will be back for at least one episode, as we see what happens when Kara returns from the future and meets the heroine who has taken her place in present day… Power Girl?!?!
- While most of the action takes place soon after Smallville Season 10, there will be a story that tells what happened during Crisis on Infinite Earths from Clark’s perspective — and explains what actions Clark took off-camera to help save his part of the multiverse, including the restoration of his powers. We’ll probably get to learn the names of Lois and Clark’s daughters in this one!
- In success, this series will have multiple seasons, and a future season will cover Lex Luthor’s Presidential campaign.
- The hope is to use the familiar Remy Zero “Save Me” as the theme music, but it may be coming with a twist, with a cover of the song by Michael Rosenbaum’s band Sun Spin.
- It may sound like a silly idea but this series may also be the first opportunity to see Michael Rosenbaum as Lex Luthor since 2011. The actor has pledged that he will shave his head again and do live-action introductions to the episodes as “Lex Luthor” if Warner Bros. takes the bait and fully puts this in production. So, Warner Bros…. get on this, because we want to see that bald head once again!
That’s not the biggest part of it all, though. The biggest news is something we couldn’t put on this very long list, and we had to put behind another link. That big news can be found here.