Smallville was a popular television series that ran for 10 seasons, following the teenage years of Clark Kent before he became Superman. The show focused on Clark’s life living with his adoptive parents on a farm and his relationships with his high school friends, including his crush Lana Lang and his friendship with Lex Luthor. The series explored Clark’s powers and his journey to discovering his identity as a superhero.
One of the defining characteristics of Smallville was that Clark never wore the iconic red-and-blue Superman suit until the series finale. The creators of the show, Alfred Gough and Miles Millar, made a deliberate decision to keep Clark out of the suit, believing that his teenage years were more compelling for viewers to watch. The decision to delay Clark becoming Superman until the very end of the series was a deliberate choice to focus on his character development and growth.
Tom Welling, who portrayed Clark Kent on Smallville, revealed in an interview that the decision to keep Clark out of the Superman suit was made early on in the show’s development. The creators felt that putting Clark in the suit would make his life as a superhero too easy and detract from the focus on his personal journey. As a result, viewers got to see a different side of the character as he struggled with his identity and powers throughout the series.
Since Smallville ended in 2011, the cast has gone on to pursue various projects. Tom Welling has appeared in several television shows and movies, including Lucifer and Draft Day. Kristin Kreuk, who played Lana Lang, starred in the series Beauty & the Beast and Burden of Truth. Michael Rosenbaum, who portrayed Lex Luthor, has continued acting in TV and film, including a recurring role on Impastor.
Smallville remains a beloved show for fans of the Superman mythology, offering a unique take on the character’s origins. The decision to focus on Clark’s teenage years and delay his transformation into Superman added depth to the character and made for compelling storytelling. The show’s legacy lives on through the continued success of its cast members and the impact it had on the superhero genre on television.