Even though Smallville ended in 2011, there has long been discussion of a possible continuation of the story. Shortly after it ended, the Smallville Season 11 comic was produced, and Tom Welling and Erica Durance memorably reprised their roles as Clark and Lois in the Arrowverse’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths” crossover. But beyond that, there has been no proper Smallville revival.
However, it’s never been ruled out. Welling and Lex Luthor actor Michael Rosenbaum have entertained the possibility for years, albeit in animated form. The two Smallville stars, and both of Smallville’s creators – Alfred Gough and Milles Millar – are said to be on board, but they’re waiting for the right timing since Warner Bros. would have to greenlight the project.
Were it to happen, it would likely to have offer all-new adventures for a much older Superman to embark on, especially since it did wrap up all of its major plotlines. That said, there is one storyline in particular that it should revisit, especially when considering just how unique the concept of it was to traditional Superman lore.
Smallville Revealed An Ancient Kryptonian Came To Earth With Knowledge Of Superman’s Destiny
In Smallville season 2, the show helped Clark develop an understanding of his past and his heritage by unveiling the Kawatche Caves, which was littered with ancient Native American art that prophesized Superman’s arrival. As for how such a place could exist, Smallville explained that “a man from the stars” met with the Kawatche people centuries ago and told them about Clark – or, “Naman.“
This set the stage for all sorts of mysteries for Clark to unravel, but one that it never touched was the existence of an ancient Kryptonian who not only came to Earth, but somehow knew that Clark would come to live on the planet and do battle with Lex Luthor.
Presumably, these questions were never answered because, fundamentally, the reveal about the Kawatche Caves was never about the existence of an ancient Kryptonian: their purpose was to provide a way for Clark to learn about his history and to pull the Luthors into this mystery, as they took an interest in the caves.
Even so, the concept of such a person existing is intriguing, as it does add something fresh to the Superman mythos that isn’t normally found in stories about the Big Blue Boy Scout.
Smallville’s Revival Could Explore What Happened To Its Ancient Kryptonian
Tom Welling as Clark Kent in Smallville’s pilot looking offscreen
Due to the novelty of the idea, revisiting it in full would enable a Smallville revival to continue to differentiate itself from most Superman adventures. That can happen if if circles back to the Kawatche and the true source of all their myths about Clark. Since Smallville already hinted at Superman’s immortality, it’s possible that “the man from the stars” is still alive somewhere.
When introducing him, the series can explain exactly why he was on Earth in the first place, how he could know the future, and what ultimately happened to him. The answers to these mysteries vary, as he could have been a time traveler, or a Kryptonian who somehow had knowledge of his planet’s fate and was looking to ensure the survival of his race by helping Clark.
If a Smallville revival does go down this road, the framework for this overlooked figure in the show’s history can finally get some overdue attention after 24 years.
Release Date
2001 – 2011
Directors
Mike Rohl, Jeannot Szwarc, Glen Winter, Terrence O’Hara, Whitney Ransick, Mairzee Almas, Paul Shapiro, Rick Rosenthal, David Carson, James L. Conway, Chris Long, Michael Katleman, Morgan Beggs, Allison Mack, David Barrett, Marita Grabiak, Michael W. Watkins, Philip Sgriccia, Rick Wallace, Thomas J. Wright, Todd Slavkin, Brad Turner, Charles Beeson, Craig Zisk
Writers
Steven S. DeKnight, Holly Henderson, Don Whitehead, Caroline Dries, Mark Verheiden, Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Philip Levens, Jordan Hawley, Kenneth Biller, Michael Green, Drew Z. Greenberg, Geoff Johns, John Chisholm, Drew Landis, Julia Swift, Doris Egan, Tracy Bellomo, Garrett Lerner, Greg Walker, Russel Friend, Shintaro Shimosawa, Tim Schlattmann, todd helbing
