During the “25 Years of Smallville” panel at New York Comic Con in October 2026, Tom Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Kristin Kreuk, and Erica Durance reunited to celebrate the legacy of Smallville. Welling, who portrayed Clark Kent for a decade on the hit series, addressed the future of Superman and the potential for new stories within the franchise.
The discussion comes at a time when the DC cinematic landscape is undergoing significant restructuring. The project most closely associated with the Smallville legacy—a long-gestating animated sequel—remains in a state of developmental limbo.
The Animated Sequel and the “Phantom Zone”
Despite the high-profile reunion at NYCC featuring Welling, Michael Rosenbaum, Kristin Kreuk, and Erica Durance, the animated continuation of the series has not yet moved into production. Michael Rosenbaum, who played Lex Luthor, confirmed that while artwork for the series exists and the original cast remains enthusiastic about returning, the project is currently stalled due to corporate shifts at DC Studios.
Rosenbaum noted that the creators have described the project as being in the “Phantom Zone.” This delay is largely attributed to the current focus at DC Studios on establishing a new central timeline for the DC Universe (DCU). While the animated series would serve as a direct follow-up to the ten-season show, it must find its place alongside the primary continuity being developed by James Gunn and Peter Safran.
Legacy and the Elseworlds Label
Welling previously revisited the character in a limited capacity during the 2019 Arrowverse crossover “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” which established his Clark Kent had retired his powers to raise a family on the Kent farm.
A potential Smallville revival would likely fall under the DC “Elseworlds” banner, a label reserved for stories like Joker and The Batman that exist outside the main DCU. This branding allows for the exploration of alternate timelines, which would be necessary to accommodate a continuation of the series. While the original cast has expressed high interest in returning, any formal movement on such a project would likely depend on the resolution of the currently stalled animated revival.
