Tom Welling Returns As Smallville’s Clark Kent In Crisis On Infinite Earths

The Crisis on  Infinite Earths news that we have wanted ever since the crossover was announced is actually happening: Tom Welling is returning to reprise his role as Clark Kent, to reveal whatever happened to his character in the years since Smallville ended in 2011!

The crossover begins in December on The CW and will happen through five series on the network: Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and Batwoman.

“For eight years, Arrow has stood on the shoulders of Smallville,” Executive Producer Marc Guggenheim said in a statement. “Simply put, there would be no Arrow, and no Arrowverse, without it. So when we first started talking about Crisis on Infinite Earths, our first, second and third priorities were getting Tom to reprise his iconic role as Clark Kent. To say that we’re thrilled would be a Superman-sized understatement.”

Tom played Clark Kent for ten years in what was the longest-running comic book superhero show in TV history to this point. Developed by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, the show had a “no flights, no tights” philosophy and told the tale of Superman before he was Superman. Along the way, he met such memorable characters as Lex Luthor (Michael Rosenbaum), Lois Lane (Erica Durance), Lana Lang (Kristin Kreuk), and even an early form of the Justice League. And now for the big question: Will he wear the costume, which is something we were denied on the series, or will this Clark encounter happen in a different capacity?

Either way, we can’t wait for December. Often times in the past, when a Superman franchise is over, the notion of an actor playing their original character was unheard of. Kirk Alyn played Lois Lane’s dad. Christopher Reeve was Dr. Virgil Swann. Dean Cain was Vandal Savage… er, Curtis Knox. But when the news broke a few months ago that Brandon Routh would be reprising his role from Superman Returns, we all developed “S”…. we mean, we all developed “hope.”

Talk about this news on our forum – yes, it still exists!

Craig Byrne

Craig Byrne has been writing about Superman TV since 1995, when the "Lois & Clark Krypton Club" launched. He founded KryptonSite.com in February 2001, becoming the first fan site for The WB/CW television series Smallville. He also wrote the Official Companion books for Smallville seasons 4-7 as well as the Smallville Visual Guide.

View Comments

  • We'll see if his Clark will wear the suit.

    I hope he wears the New 52 version with the Superman t-shirt, jeans, and little cape.

  • They should bring back Michael Rosenbaum, the two SUPERBOYS from the 1980s series, Stacey Haiduk, Dean Cain, Justin Hartley in his guise of Green Arrow and Aquaman.

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