Here We Go Again Part 3: New Welling As Superman Rumors?

[ZIPBAGS]

Like I said before. Their is no conflict (reg:Smallville's background) to hiring Welling. As we all know Smallville has around 1-2million viewers. Not enough to affect long-term box office. The majority of people going to see a Superman movie are casual Superman fans or like Batmanark Knight moviegoers who were not fans of Bats. But, heard it was a good movie and went to see it. They may know Tom played Superman on a tv show. But, odds are they never watched the show. So right there their would be no conflict. And you get that base of Smallville fans who will definitely go see the movie (probably more than once). Of course their will be Supes fans who despise the idea of Welling as Supes. But, odds are they will go see the movie. And if the movie is done well. They will see it again.
It wasn't Routh that turned me off from Superman Returns. It was the idiotic idea of making it a sequel to a 30yr old movie and other ridiculous ideas.

On a side note. On the Superman forum. Their was an article about Aronofsky wanting the role. What was interesting is this little bit about what the movie might be about...

Until last weekend, though, Aronofsky was far more interested in directing WB's original take on Superman — in which Clark Kent is a journalist traveling the world trying to decide if he should, in fact, even become Superman

This would be perfect for Welling as Supes..Since this has been what Smallville was about. So no conflict.

http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2010/10/fox_offers_wolverine_2_to_aronofsky.html

 

[RakuMon]

Have to agree. "Birthright" and "Smallville" are kind of inexorably linked. I always wanted a "Smallville" movie based on the story in Birthright, so if they're going with that book as a major influence...

 

[RakuMon]

And for what it's worth, five years ago(!) I took a stab at adapting "Birthright" into Smallville's series finale. I only got through three acts though.

http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=170208&highlight=Series+Finale&page=4

I'll probably never finish it. It's also funny how much has changed on the show since I first started this. (For example, no Oliver, the Blur didn't exist, Jonathan was still alive, and Lana wasn't a kryptohero, etc.)

 

[LightningFlash]

This would be perfect for Welling as Supes..Since this has been what Smallville was about. So no conflict.

No...Birthright makes sense. Clark TRAVELED the world as a journalist first and then decided to become a hero as he was trying to make the world a better place.

Smallville had Clark Kent becoming a reporter only to get the early scoop on bank robberies and what not only in Metropolis. The only time he felt the need to leave Metropolis was to find Brainiac; SV's Cark doesn't seem like he cares about the world's problems. Lois is actually taking the role as a journalist who's traveling.

 

[Johnny]

Sorry but Superman III sucks ass. The only stuff I liked about this film was Annette O'Toole and the Good Clark/Bad Superman scene. Everything else was crap. Superman IV at least showed some more development between Clark and Lois.

 

[Webhead2006]

i still hope they are borrowing ideas/themes from a couple different stories like man of steel, birthright, etc...... to round out and flesh the characters out. and all that. Like what jonah/david did with the batman movies. Both so far were based off ideas/themes from certain bat stories if i recall. So i do hope we see that for superman.

 

[SpideyVille]

No...Birthright makes sense. Clark TRAVELED the world as a journalist first and then decided to become a hero as he was trying to make the world a better place.

Smallville had Clark Kent becoming a reporter only to get the early scoop on bank robberies and what not only in Metropolis. The only time he felt the need to leave Metropolis was to find Brainiac; SV's Cark doesn't seem like he cares aboutt he world's problems. Lois is actually taking the role as a journalist who's traveling.

I remember having to read The Dark Knight Returns for a class last year, and one of the things we talked about was how with each act, the conflict made Batman extend his reach from Gotham, to the USA, to the world as a whole. I kind of wished Smallville would have done something similar to that, which they hinted at in Season 6 when Ollie showed up and practically confronted Clark face to face about him doing nothing outside Smallville. But they never moved forward from there. Instead, they had episodes like Descent where someone falls out a Luthorcorp window and Clark's response is "the only thing that matters now is Lana".

A least now he's expanded to Metropolis, but I agree, they need to do something more like Birthright where he travels more and make saves worldwide.

 

[LightningFlash]

Sorry but Superman III sucks ass. The only stuff I liked about this film was Annette O'Toole and the Good Clark/Bad Superman scene. Everything else was crap. Superman IV at least showed some more development between Clark and Lois.

But, still...Nuclear Man...'nuff said.

I remember having to read The Dark Knight Returns for a class last year, and one of the things we talked about was how with each act, the conflict made Batman extend his reach from Gotham, to the USA, to the world as a whole. I kind of wished Smallville would have done something similar to that, which they hinted at in Season 6 when Ollie showed up and practically confronted Clark face to face about him doing nothing outside Smallville. But they never moved forward from there. Instead, they had episodes like Descent where someone falls out a Luthorcorp window and Clark's response is "the only thing that matters now is Lana".

A least now he's expanded to Metropolis, but I agree, they need to do something more like Birthright where he travels more and make saves worldwide.

I am proud of Nolan though with the Batman franchise, because at least Bats went to Hong Kong to take care of a problem. It was Hong Kong, right? Lol...dang...I think I have an excuse to watch TDK once more now.

 

[Zing79]

What is another good forum with lots of users to go talk about casting for the film? Where Welling is allowed to be mentioned?

I hate this place. It's actually a joke. I've been here for years and I'm just shocked that a forum so blatantly imposes their opinions on its users.

WE GET IT. YOU DON'T WANT WELLING FOR THE ROLE. Doesn't mean you should silence anyone who does.

If you want Welling for the role, you should be able to mention him in a casting thread about the damn role.

 

[Gmanofsteel]

Sorry but Superman III sucks ass. The only stuff I liked about this film was Annette O'Toole and the Good Clark/Bad Superman scene. Everything else was crap. Superman IV at least showed some more development between Clark and Lois.

I have to agree, I've always liked SIV over SIII. SIII was a comedy, a joke. They followed the comics of the time TOO much to the point that it was extremely goofy. Don't get me wrong I like prior, but the movie was absolutely silly. The opening alone shows how silly the film was in a nutshell. SIV was a little more serious and overall was a better plot.

If you want Welling for the role, you should be able to mention him in a casting thread about the damn role.

exactly, what's the point of a public forum if the public can't have its own opinions?

 

[Bruce_Wayne29]

I wonder how much money Smallville actually has made for them in the past 10 years. Maybe it's impossible to calculate exactly, but the ballpark has to be HUGE. If this show wasn't continuing to earn them a sizable profit, it would have been yanked years ago.

Smallville makes at least 200 million worldwide yearly from tv, dvd sales and merchandise. That's less than SR cost. But in PROFIT.
Now multiply that number by 10 (years) and you'll get the drift.
Some ppl (mostly haters) like to point out that SV has small ratings in the US but then do forget that it's a huge hit overseas as well.
Trust me, Tom Welling cast as Superman brings a HUGE plus for Warner Bros. And they know his fans will see the movie more than once if he's cast, buy the dvd, blu-ray's etc...
Routh or any other guys considered won't have this as a leverage.
If Routh is considered at all will be because unlike Tom, he will come cheap and would already have a multiple picture contract signed (the one from 2006) that may be still valid).
Tom is in a great bargaining position by having so much fans on his side. They know they will have to make him a really good deal to get him.
That doesn't make him "not like Superman" like some haters like to point out, even after there's already video evidence of him saying that he was always open to it - it just makes him a great businessman that will do what is best for his family.
He is typecast so should he take this job, he should make a deal that will secure him for life (and probably get him other Warner Bros. parts) and I guarantee that he will be worth every penny.
The first step for this movie to be successful with fans is to get Welling on board. They can use Smallville as a springboard for the movie and sell even more SV dvd sets in the process if Welling is cast.
After all is said and done with Welling as Superman and a kick ass movie, Warner Bros. can make a boatload of money.

 

[Gmanofsteel]

Smallville makes at least 200 million worldwide yearly from tv, dvd sales and merchandise. That's less than SR cost. But in PROFIT.
Now multiply that number by 10 (years) and you'll get the drift.
Some ppl (mostly haters) like to point out that SV has small ratings in the US but then do forget that it's a huge hit overseas as well.
Trust me, Tom Welling cast as Superman brings a HUGE plus for Warner Bros. And they know his fans will see the movie more than once if he's cast, buy the dvd, blu-ray's etc...
Routh or any other guys considered won't have this as a leverage.
If Routh is considered at all will be because unlike Tom, he will come cheap and would already have a multiple picture contract signed (the one from 2006) that may be still valid).
Tom is in a great bargaining position by having so much fans on his side. They know they will have to make him a really good deal to get him.
That doesn't make him "not like Superman" like some haters like to point out, even after there's already video evidence of him saying that he was always open to it - it just makes him a great businessman that will do what is best for his family.
He is typecast so should he take this job, he should make a deal that will secure him for life (and probably get him other Warner Bros. parts) and I guarantee that he will be worth every penny.
The first step for this movie to be successful with fans is to get Welling on board. They can use Smallville as a springboard for the movie and sell even more SV dvd sets in the process if Welling is cast.
After all is said and done with Welling as Superman and a kick ass movie, Warner Bros. can make a boatload of money.

I'm sold, now mail that to warner bros

 

[epc11223]

Smallville makes at least 200 million worldwide yearly from tv, dvd sales and merchandise. That's less than SR cost. But in PROFIT.
Now multiply that number by 10 (years) and you'll get the drift.
Some ppl (mostly haters) like to point out that SV has small ratings in the US but then do forget that it's a huge hit overseas as well.
Trust me, Tom Welling cast as Superman brings a HUGE plus for Warner Bros. And they know his fans will see the movie more than once if he's cast, buy the dvd, blu-ray's etc...
Routh or any other guys considered won't have this as a leverage.
If Routh is considered at all will be because unlike Tom, he will come cheap and would already have a multiple picture contract signed (the one from 2006) that may be still valid).
Tom is in a great bargaining position by having so much fans on his side. They know they will have to make him a really good deal to get him.
That doesn't make him "not like Superman" like some haters like to point out, even after there's already video evidence of him saying that he was always open to it - it just makes him a great businessman that will do what is best for his family.
He is typecast so should he take this job, he should make a deal that will secure him for life (and probably get him other Warner Bros. parts) and I guarantee that he will be worth every penny.
The first step for this movie to be successful with fans is to get Welling on board. They can use Smallville as a springboard for the movie and sell even more SV dvd sets in the process if Welling is cast.
After all is said and done with Welling as Superman and a kick ass movie, Warner Bros. can make a boatload of money.

i am by no means a welling hater, at all. i've loved the show since season 1, but to say that the show makes 200 million in dvd sales, etc. There really isn't that much merchandise for the show, so i'm not sure how you came to that number. There are some books, magazines, and calendars, but it's not like smallville has an extensive merchandise.

There have been conflicting rumors as to the story, some have it as a new superman just starting out ala birthright, and some have it as an experienced superman, so we don't really know. Tom Welling does not command a high paying salary. He's just about on the same level as Brandon Routh, but I don't see either one becoming superman. I can see that you're a Welling supporter, but it's just not realistic to think that he's going to be getting the part, or even close to getting the part. I have a feeling there going to go with someone fresh and new. I would rather Welling stay on and do a tv series of superman, and have a new movie with a new actor. Especially if you have lex, zod, and brainiac which have all been done on smallville. Those are the names being thrown around for the villains and those are all villains smallville has tackled. I don't see Michael Rosenbaum, Callum blue, and James Marsters coming back to play the roles again.

I'm still kind of scratching my head where you got those figures. The logic doesnt even make sense because just because one year was 200 million, that doesnt necessarily mean that you could use that figure for ten years. If you look at the ratings, it has consistently gone down since season 1, but it's high for the cw. At least according to Wikipedia, which isn't always accurate. I say this with the utmost respect, and I hope it doesn't come off as being mean, but I just don't really agree with your post. I mean sure Welling has a fan base, but I don't think it's as big as you think. I think the general audience wouldn't even care if there's someone new in the role. Also, tom did say that he's always been open to play the part of superman, but he may have only said that to help promote smallville and know that he is never going to play the part. It's almost like telling a kid something he wants to hear, but know very well that it will never come to pass. So you don't look like a jerk, and you can say "oh well it wasn't my decision".

I'm not saying that's what he did, but I wouldn't put it past anyone. If he really wanted to play superman, he probably could have pushed for it earlier, but even he said that he's terrified of putting the suit on. I'm sure he's not talking about carrying the legacy, it's because i've gotten the impression that he's never wanted to be typecast. Which is certainly fair enough. But it's well known that he's not that much of a comic book guy.

Again, I know i'm probably coming off as a welling hater, which is not my intent. I just don't think he's going to get the part. There are too many things that say he won't/doesnt want to get the role of superman.

 

[Webhead2006]

Bruce as I recall routh been off contract since last year. But yea neither are likely to be picked this time. Its going to be an all new take/film. That is why I stillpersonally rather have a new cast. So they are not trying to live though another shadow. So they can take the characters inthere own directions. As for film sure most wouls like an experinced supes, but that would just be a mistake like sr did expectingyou to know everything. So we should have a fairly fresh supes, and touch on origin stuff so we know why this film's story is different then the other takes.

 

[Bruce_Wayne29]

i am by no means a welling hater, at all. i've loved the show since season 1, but to say that the show makes 200 million in dvd sales, etc. There really isn't that much merchandise for the show, so i'm not sure how you came to that number. There are some books, magazines, and calendars, but it's not like smallville has an extensive merchandise.

There have been conflicting rumors as to the story, some have it as a new superman just starting out ala birthright, and some have it as an experienced superman, so we don't really know. Tom Welling does not command a high paying salary. He's just about on the same level as Brandon Routh, but I don't see either one becoming superman. I can see that you're a Welling supporter, but it's just not realistic to think that he's going to be getting the part, or even close to getting the part. I have a feeling there going to go with someone fresh and new. I would rather Welling stay on and do a tv series of superman, and have a new movie with a new actor. Especially if you have lex, zod, and brainiac which have all been done on smallville. Those are the names being thrown around for the villains and those are all villains smallville has tackled. I don't see Michael Rosenbaum, Callum blue, and James Marsters coming back to play the roles again.

I'm still kind of scratching my head where you got those figures. The logic doesnt even make sense because just because one year was 200 million, that doesnt necessarily mean that you could use that figure for ten years. If you look at the ratings, it has consistently gone down since season 1, but it's high for the cw. At least according to Wikipedia, which isn't always accurate. I say this with the utmost respect, and I hope it doesn't come off as being mean, but I just don't really agree with your post. I mean sure Welling has a fan base, but I don't think it's as big as you think. I think the general audience wouldn't even care if there's someone new in the role. Also, tom did say that he's always been open to play the part of superman, but he may have only said that to help promote smallville and know that he is never going to play the part. It's almost like telling a kid something he wants to hear, but know very well that it will never come to pass. So you don't look like a jerk, and you can say "oh well it wasn't my decision".

I'm not saying that's what he did, but I wouldn't put it past anyone. If he really wanted to play superman, he probably could have pushed for it earlier, but even he said that he's terrified of putting the suit on. I'm sure he's not talking about carrying the legacy, it's because i've gotten the impression that he's never wanted to be typecast. Which is certainly fair enough. But it's well known that he's not that much of a comic book guy.

Again, I know i'm probably coming off as a welling hater, which is not my intent. I just don't think he's going to get the part. There are too many things that say he won't/doesnt want to get the role of superman.

I don't think you come up so much as a Welling hater as much as a misinformed fan.
The 200 million yearly figure I took from an article years ago that was done on Smallville's success, I think it came out on his fifth or sixth season.
There's is more merchandise than books, magazines and calendars, there's also shirts, mugs, hats and replica props, jackets, rings, necklaces, etc...
I didn't say Tom was getting cast for sure, I was talking about the value in him possibly getting cast (meaning making a case for it).
As far as what is realistically or not, that goes both ways.
Until casting is officially announced, saying Tom, Jon Hamm, others or even Brandon being cast is fair game. What is not is trying to deter me from doing so and just expect me to lay quiet just because either don't want him in the movie or prefer not having him in the movie or CHOOSE to believe he doesn't have a chance.
Zod is not officially confirmed as the villain. There are ways to go before we get official confirmation on the story as well (as you point out).
There are many ways to go with a villain for this movie, they can put up a new villain not seen in previous movies/smallville or take Brainiac (the green version thus it wouldn't have to be James Masters), Lex (doubtful but can happen), Doomsday (the way he ended on SV makes perfect sense, that way he can rise from the ground like in the "Death of Superman" storyline) or even Darkseid and use the ending of the show as a platform to do it.
As for the fan base, it's big worldwide. I don't know which country you are from but I assume you're from the US.
It's one of the top 10 selling tv shows on dvd. In my country Portugal it got to a point where it came in nº2 in a poll of most popular tv shows only behind an American Idol type of program which was a huge phenomenon here.
Here foreign tv shows don't have that kind of success. It was a such a hit, they'd make 2 long intermissions between episodes because adverstisers all wanted the Smallville spot to advertise their products because it was the most seen on weekends. I know it's the same in countries like Brasil, etc...
I was on the line to see Cheaper By The Dozen (not because of Tom, I'm a huge Steve Martin fan) and was surprised and shocked to see several ppl in the line talking about seeing the movie where "Superman" was in.
And I've heard similar stories from ppl from all walks of life here on the board.
You make assumptions about what I say, but you yourself make assumptions about Tom's comments.
If he wanted to promote Smallville with these kinds of comments he would've done it years ago and would probably make new fans for the show along time ago. Instead he was wise enough to refrain from doing it until he thought he could/should.
He met with Brett Rattner about doing a Superman movie when the show was on the 2nd season and was interested in doing had it not meant the show would've ended way sooner (I respect him for looking out for his fellow actors/crew that became a family to him and not selling them out just for a payday). These are all confirmed facts.
In season 3 he did an interview again saying he would be open to it.
Though not proved, it's been rumored that he did an audition with McG for his Superman movie and even had a meeting with Singer (rumor has it that he was even going to do the movie until he understood that they only wanted him as a collateral in case they didn't find their unknown but not after Tom said on the Teen's Choice Awards that he was sworn to secrecy about a huge project - not the Fog - he was signing to do.).
That's when he started to stay quiet about the whole movie thing. If the thing with Singer really happaned, you can't blame the guy for being wise enough not to talk about that subject again.
That and because ppl always take his comments out of context. When he talks about not wanting to be Superman - THAT'S ON THE SHOW.
I'll go even further before this also get's taken out of context. On the show BEFORE THE FINAL EPISODE(S).
SV was always about the journey to Superman, not about him becoming Superman early on which some eager fans who seem to care more about the costume than the man always were whining about.
When he talks about being terrified IT IS about the legacy. If you had heard the whole interview you would know that. That is the trait of a humble man that cares about his fans, the legacy of Superman and the show.
Even Jensen Ackles (Supernatural) who is a friend of Tom's said that Tom expected the show to end with him in the suit.
Afraid of being typecast ? He already is. He knows he's the face of Superman to a whole generation and I'm pretty sure he embraces it or he wouldn't even have worn the emblem on his chest which associates him even more with the character. As executive producer he's in that position if he wants to.
The problem with all the crap that's out there being put out by haters, is that is so recycled that even Tom's fans sometimes believe it.
Not a comic book fan ? Who cares ! He understands the character better than anyone. Routh was a comic book fan. Alot of good that did for us.
On the other hand you have Michael Keaton and Christian Bale who weren't comic book fans and are the best live action Batmen we've ever had.
Christopher Reeve himself only started to be a fan after he's became Superman. From what I've heard Tom is in a similar path, always asking Phil Morris (who is a long time fan) comic book questions and was even seen buying some a while ago.
Warner Bros. knows that millions of fans want Tom for this movie - this fact alones makes for a great bargaining position, he's the one name that always comes up for the past 8 years, the one that they can't get rid of. Trust me, Tom will be at the very least be strongly considered.
You may find that dellusional but years ago Christian Bale for Batman came up in boards such as this one. The difference is that Nolan and/or Warner actually listened to the fans on that time.
And though casting Erica and Michael would be cheaper than big name stars, Tom wouldn't come as cheap. Yes, he's not an A-list actor or a huge movie draw but he is a name strongly associated with Superman. And this movie is about ? So while not a huge draw on say a movie like The Fog, he will be a huge draw in a Superman movie.
Warner knows that come what may, they will have a strong following worldwide guaranteed for this movie. It could be the difference between having a 400 plus million boxoffice like SR or having a 600-800 million box-office and more profit in terms of sales in dvds/blu-rays (where the BIG money is) when all is said and done.
And money is all that they care.
I never said everyone has to think like me. But don't try to demolish the case for Tom as Superman with speculations and half-truths like many of the haters (which you said you aren't). I'm just making a case for the possibility of him being cast and discussing with other fans that feel the same way as I do.
You don't think he'll get it. Fine, that's fair enough.
Just don't expect the rest of us to follow on that line of thought anymore than I expect you to follow me.
I'd say right now it's 50-50. Maybe there's things that prevent him from getting it (namely the SV baggage - then again you don't know how it's ending and it may be a huge mindwipe that makes the continuity be exactly the same as the comics) but there are also many more things that work in his favour like skipping an origin story and going right for the fun and even making more money from a 10 year origin story already done and having a Superman that millions relate to.
And that's really why Marvel succeeds where DC fails, their heroes are relatable. When Superman is portrayed as an invincible God, he fails.
When he's portrayed as the most human of us all, which is what Tom always done, he succeeds.
Hopefully that's what they'll choose to do.

 

[Karelia]

BruceWayne29- Excellent posts. I agree pretty much with everything you've said.

 

[Bruce_Wayne29]

Thank you very much, Karelia. :0)

 

[Serene]

If you want Welling for the role, you should be able to mention him in a casting thread about the damn role.

It makes me feel better that at least someone else understands why I think this is not fair.

Going with the logic of only allowing a Tom Welling thread in the SV forum:

The Henry Cavill thread should be in the Misc. TV forum - since he's on The Tudors?.

And Routh's thread should actually be moved to the Superman Returns board.

OR - There should be a Tom Welling thread in the Untitled Superman film board just like the two guys above.

OR - No individual actor threads in the Superman forum.


Perhaps a Tom Welling thread *would* be allowed in the New Supeman film board. I'm not sure if the rules disallow that or not.

 

[epc11223]

I don't think you come up so much as a Welling hater as much as a misinformed fan.
The 200 million yearly figure I took from an article years ago that was done on Smallville's success, I think it came out on his fifth or sixth season.
There's is more merchandise than books, magazines and calendars, there's also shirts, mugs, hats and replica props, jackets, rings, necklaces, etc...
I didn't say Tom was getting cast for sure, I was talking about the value in him possibly getting cast (meaning making a case for it).
As far as what is realistically or not, that goes both ways.
Until casting is officially announced, saying Tom, Jon Hamm, others or even Brandon being cast is fair game. What is not is trying to deter me from doing so and just expect me to lay quiet just because either don't want him in the movie or prefer not having him in the movie or CHOOSE to believe he doesn't have a chance.
Zod is not officially confirmed as the villain. There are ways to go before we get official confirmation on the story as well (as you point out).
There are many ways to go with a villain for this movie, they can put up a new villain not seen in previous movies/smallville or take Brainiac (the green version thus it wouldn't have to be James Masters), Lex (doubtful but can happen), Doomsday (the way he ended on SV makes perfect sense, that way he can rise from the ground like in the "Death of Superman" storyline) or even Darkseid and use the ending of the show as a platform to do it.
As for the fan base, it's big worldwide. I don't know which country you are from but I assume you're from the US.
It's one of the top 10 selling tv shows on dvd. In my country Portugal it got to a point where it came in nº2 in a poll of most popular tv shows only behind an American Idol type of program which was a huge phenomenon here.
Here foreign tv shows don't have that kind of success. It was a such a hit, they'd make 2 long intermissions between episodes because adverstisers all wanted the Smallville spot to advertise their products because it was the most seen on weekends. I know it's the same in countries like Brasil, etc...
I was on the line to see Cheaper By The Dozen (not because of Tom, I'm a huge Steve Martin fan) and was surprised and shocked to see several ppl in the line talking about seeing the movie where "Superman" was in.
And I've heard similar stories from ppl from all walks of life here on the board.
You make assumptions about what I say, but you yourself make assumptions about Tom's comments.
If he wanted to promote Smallville with these kinds of comments he would've done it years ago and would probably make new fans for the show along time ago. Instead he was wise enough to refrain from doing it until he thought he could/should.
He met with Brett Rattner about doing a Superman movie when the show was on the 2nd season and was interested in doing had it not meant the show would've ended way sooner (I respect him for looking out for his fellow actors/crew that became a family to him and not selling them out just for a payday). These are all confirmed facts.
In season 3 he did an interview again saying he would be open to it.
Though not proved, it's been rumored that he did an audition with McG for his Superman movie and even had a meeting with Singer (rumor has it that he was even going to do the movie until he understood that they only wanted him as a collateral in case they didn't find their unknown but not after Tom said on the Teen's Choice Awards that he was sworn to secrecy about a huge project - not the Fog - he was signing to do.).
That's when he started to stay quiet about the whole movie thing. If the thing with Singer really happaned, you can't blame the guy for being wise enough not to talk about that subject again.
That and because ppl always take his comments out of context. When he talks about not wanting to be Superman - THAT'S ON THE SHOW.
I'll go even further before this also get's taken out of context. On the show BEFORE THE FINAL EPISODE(S).
SV was always about the journey to Superman, not about him becoming Superman early on which some eager fans who seem to care more about the costume than the man always were whining about.
When he talks about being terrified IT IS about the legacy. If you had heard the whole interview you would know that. That is the trait of a humble man that cares about his fans, the legacy of Superman and the show.
Even Jensen Ackles (Supernatural) who is a friend of Tom's said that Tom expected the show to end with him in the suit.
Afraid of being typecast ? He already is. He knows he's the face of Superman to a whole generation and I'm pretty sure he embraces it or he wouldn't even have worn the emblem on his chest which associates him even more with the character. As executive producer he's in that position if he wants to.
The problem with all the crap that's out there being put out by haters, is that is so recycled that even Tom's fans sometimes believe it.
Not a comic book fan ? Who cares ! He understands the character better than anyone. Routh was a comic book fan. Alot of good that did for us.
On the other hand you have Michael Keaton and Christian Bale who weren't comic book fans and are the best live action Batmen we've ever had.
Christopher Reeve himself only started to be a fan after he's became Superman. From what I've heard Tom is in a similar path, always asking Phil Morris (who is a long time fan) comic book questions and was even seen buying some a while ago.
Warner Bros. knows that millions of fans want Tom for this movie - this fact alones makes for a great bargaining position, he's the one name that always comes up for the past 8 years, the one that they can't get rid of. Trust me, Tom will be at the very least be strongly considered.
You may find that dellusional but years ago Christian Bale for Batman came up in boards such as this one. The difference is that Nolan and/or Warner actually listened to the fans on that time.
And though casting Erica and Michael would be cheaper than big name stars, Tom wouldn't come as cheap. Yes, he's not an A-list actor or a huge movie draw but he is a name strongly associated with Superman. And this movie is about ? So while not a huge draw on say a movie like The Fog, he will be a huge draw in a Superman movie.
Warner knows that come what may, they will have a strong following worldwide guaranteed for this movie. It could be the difference between having a 400 plus million boxoffice like SR or having a 600-800 million box-office and more profit in terms of sales in dvds/blu-rays (where the BIG money is) when all is said and done.
And money is all that they care.
I never said everyone has to think like me. But don't try to demolish the case for Tom as Superman with speculations and half-truths like many of the haters (which you said you aren't). I'm just making a case for the possibility of him being cast and discussing with other fans that feel the same way as I do.
You don't think he'll get it. Fine, that's fair enough.
Just don't expect the rest of us to follow on that line of thought anymore than I expect you to follow me.
I'd say right now it's 50-50. Maybe there's things that prevent him from getting it (namely the SV baggage - then again you don't know how it's ending and it may be a huge mindwipe that makes the continuity be exactly the same as the comics) but there are also many more things that work in his favour like skipping an origin story and going right for the fun and even making more money from a 10 year origin story already done and having a Superman that millions relate to.
And that's really why Marvel succeeds where DC fails, their heroes are relatable. When Superman is portrayed as an invincible God, he fails.
When he's portrayed as the most human of us all, which is what Tom always done, he succeeds.
Hopefully that's what they'll choose to do.

well i'm not misinformed because nothing really you've said here, I haven't already heard before. i think if you asked a hundred people who tom welling was, people would say "who?" most people don't even watch smallville. especially if you look at the ratings. yes it has a fan base, a loyal one at that, but it's still on the cw; which does not get as many people watching as the big networks. i think you give tom welling way too much credit. yes he has been good on smallville, and I love the show and haven't missed an episode, but to say that he didnt accept the movie role because he wanted to help his fellow actors? how would one even know that. singer always wanted to have an unknown and from what i've read brandon routh was always his number 1 choice.

gough/millar and singer had communication throughout the productions because they didnt want to step on anyone's toes out of respect and at the time didn't want the franchises to really connect or confuse people. as far as the recent interview at comic con, he says that he's always been open for the role, but that's easy to say when he knows the show is coming to an end. he has also said that if you he had become superman when the fans wanted him to be, the show would have ended long ago. that really doesn't sound like someone who would want to play the role of superman. he leaves a lot of things open ended as not to offend the fans of the show. at least thats the perception he gives, and there's nothing wrong with that, but i think it gives fans false hope. the show might also be selling merchandise, but i know i have never seen one smallville shirt worn in the places i've been. it may make 200 million, but i'd be very surprised where it's coming from. it said that it made 200 million yearly? maybe it did like 400 million one year and then 100 million a few years and it averages 200 million? i dont know, but i find that number to be a bit high. i wish it were true, but it just doesnt seem realistic. i'd also like to know where you got the 50/50 for him getting the part. it just seems a bit high. there are so many different factors so to come up with that stat, i'm just curious. you have snyder, nolan, the wb and the actor. they could all want different people for the role. even if welling were offered the part, who knows if he'd turn it down. i know you think he would definitely accept it after smallville, but that's not necessarily true. it has also been well documented that he wants to go behind the scenes and be more of a producer. he's also said how he may be too busy to do more. yes he said that if the fans were to ask for more smallville, maybe there might be something after the season, but that may be tv movies of superman? i would totally be down for that. if i had my way i'd have tom welling in a superman related tv show, routh take on the superman movies, and a new actor for justice league type movies. that for me would be ideal.

now i know this is a long post but to say that i'm misinformed? that's not true because i really dont think welling wants to play the part. i think he's terrified to put on the suit because he really doesnt want to put the suit on. if he was really for the fans, why did it take him so long to get to a comic con convention? yea he likes his privacy, but you make him out to be some sort of saint. especially with the "he didnt take on the part for the good of the cast". oh well, i'm probably coming off as a welling hater, but i just dont see him getting, or wanting the part. especially if it's a movie thats an origin.

 

[Wargod]

I don't think you come up so much as a Welling hater as much as a misinformed fan.
The 200 million yearly figure I took from an article years ago that was done on Smallville's success, I think it came out on his fifth or sixth season.
There's is more merchandise than books, magazines and calendars, there's also shirts, mugs, hats and replica props, jackets, rings, necklaces, etc...
I didn't say Tom was getting cast for sure, I was talking about the value in him possibly getting cast (meaning making a case for it).
As far as what is realistically or not, that goes both ways.
Until casting is officially announced, saying Tom, Jon Hamm, others or even Brandon being cast is fair game. What is not is trying to deter me from doing so and just expect me to lay quiet just because either don't want him in the movie or prefer not having him in the movie or CHOOSE to believe he doesn't have a chance.
Zod is not officially confirmed as the villain. There are ways to go before we get official confirmation on the story as well (as you point out).
There are many ways to go with a villain for this movie, they can put up a new villain not seen in previous movies/smallville or take Brainiac (the green version thus it wouldn't have to be James Masters), Lex (doubtful but can happen), Doomsday (the way he ended on SV makes perfect sense, that way he can rise from the ground like in the "Death of Superman" storyline) or even Darkseid and use the ending of the show as a platform to do it.
As for the fan base, it's big worldwide. I don't know which country you are from but I assume you're from the US.
It's one of the top 10 selling tv shows on dvd. In my country Portugal it got to a point where it came in nº2 in a poll of most popular tv shows only behind an American Idol type of program which was a huge phenomenon here.
Here foreign tv shows don't have that kind of success. It was a such a hit, they'd make 2 long intermissions between episodes because adverstisers all wanted the Smallville spot to advertise their products because it was the most seen on weekends. I know it's the same in countries like Brasil, etc...
I was on the line to see Cheaper By The Dozen (not because of Tom, I'm a huge Steve Martin fan) and was surprised and shocked to see several ppl in the line talking about seeing the movie where "Superman" was in.
And I've heard similar stories from ppl from all walks of life here on the board.
You make assumptions about what I say, but you yourself make assumptions about Tom's comments.
If he wanted to promote Smallville with these kinds of comments he would've done it years ago and would probably make new fans for the show along time ago. Instead he was wise enough to refrain from doing it until he thought he could/should.
He met with Brett Rattner about doing a Superman movie when the show was on the 2nd season and was interested in doing had it not meant the show would've ended way sooner (I respect him for looking out for his fellow actors/crew that became a family to him and not selling them out just for a payday). These are all confirmed facts.
In season 3 he did an interview again saying he would be open to it.
Though not proved, it's been rumored that he did an audition with McG for his Superman movie and even had a meeting with Singer (rumor has it that he was even going to do the movie until he understood that they only wanted him as a collateral in case they didn't find their unknown but not after Tom said on the Teen's Choice Awards that he was sworn to secrecy about a huge project - not the Fog - he was signing to do.).
That's when he started to stay quiet about the whole movie thing. If the thing with Singer really happaned, you can't blame the guy for being wise enough not to talk about that subject again.
That and because ppl always take his comments out of context. When he talks about not wanting to be Superman - THAT'S ON THE SHOW.
I'll go even further before this also get's taken out of context. On the show BEFORE THE FINAL EPISODE(S).
SV was always about the journey to Superman, not about him becoming Superman early on which some eager fans who seem to care more about the costume than the man always were whining about.
When he talks about being terrified IT IS about the legacy. If you had heard the whole interview you would know that. That is the trait of a humble man that cares about his fans, the legacy of Superman and the show.
Even Jensen Ackles (Supernatural) who is a friend of Tom's said that Tom expected the show to end with him in the suit.
Afraid of being typecast ? He already is. He knows he's the face of Superman to a whole generation and I'm pretty sure he embraces it or he wouldn't even have worn the emblem on his chest which associates him even more with the character. As executive producer he's in that position if he wants to.
The problem with all the crap that's out there being put out by haters, is that is so recycled that even Tom's fans sometimes believe it.
Not a comic book fan ? Who cares ! He understands the character better than anyone. Routh was a comic book fan. Alot of good that did for us.
On the other hand you have Michael Keaton and Christian Bale who weren't comic book fans and are the best live action Batmen we've ever had.
Christopher Reeve himself only started to be a fan after he's became Superman. From what I've heard Tom is in a similar path, always asking Phil Morris (who is a long time fan) comic book questions and was even seen buying some a while ago.
Warner Bros. knows that millions of fans want Tom for this movie - this fact alones makes for a great bargaining position, he's the one name that always comes up for the past 8 years, the one that they can't get rid of. Trust me, Tom will be at the very least be strongly considered.
You may find that dellusional but years ago Christian Bale for Batman came up in boards such as this one. The difference is that Nolan and/or Warner actually listened to the fans on that time.
And though casting Erica and Michael would be cheaper than big name stars, Tom wouldn't come as cheap. Yes, he's not an A-list actor or a huge movie draw but he is a name strongly associated with Superman. And this movie is about ? So while not a huge draw on say a movie like The Fog, he will be a huge draw in a Superman movie.
Warner knows that come what may, they will have a strong following worldwide guaranteed for this movie. It could be the difference between having a 400 plus million boxoffice like SR or having a 600-800 million box-office and more profit in terms of sales in dvds/blu-rays (where the BIG money is) when all is said and done.
And money is all that they care.
I never said everyone has to think like me. But don't try to demolish the case for Tom as Superman with speculations and half-truths like many of the haters (which you said you aren't). I'm just making a case for the possibility of him being cast and discussing with other fans that feel the same way as I do.
You don't think he'll get it. Fine, that's fair enough.
Just don't expect the rest of us to follow on that line of thought anymore than I expect you to follow me.
I'd say right now it's 50-50. Maybe there's things that prevent him from getting it (namely the SV baggage - then again you don't know how it's ending and it may be a huge mindwipe that makes the continuity be exactly the same as the comics) but there are also many more things that work in his favour like skipping an origin story and going right for the fun and even making more money from a 10 year origin story already done and having a Superman that millions relate to.
And that's really why Marvel succeeds where DC fails, their heroes are relatable. When Superman is portrayed as an invincible God, he fails.
When he's portrayed as the most human of us all, which is what Tom always done, he succeeds.
Hopefully that's what they'll choose to do.

Bruce, I respectfully disagree with what you wrote above.
I live in Brazil, a country that is FAR bigger than Portugal (Brazilian population is about 18 times bigger than Portuguese), and I can tell you that Smallville is far from being a huge hit here.
I KNOW that Smallville is as successful as you say in Portugal (my uncle lives in Portugal), but as far as I know is not a worldwide hit.
I agree with you that the series bring a lot of money to WB, but I don’t think that defining factor in favor of casting Welling.
I fact, it wasn’t his absence that caused the failure of SR. The movie tanked because had a weak story, bad pacing and was confusing in general.
In the end, regardless of who is cast, what will define if the new movie is successful are the Script, direction, and in a lesser extent the action scenes.

 

[Serene]

THIS.

credit to tw1977

 

[Karelia]

Serene-Amazing picture. That IS Superman... at least to me.

 

[C. Lee]

What is another good forum with lots of users to go talk about casting for the film? Where Welling is allowed to be mentioned?

I hate this place. It's actually a joke. I've been here for years and I'm just shocked that a forum so blatantly imposes their opinions on its users.

WE GET IT. YOU DON'T WANT WELLING FOR THE ROLE. Doesn't mean you should silence anyone who does.

If you want Welling for the role, you should be able to mention him in a casting thread about the damn role.

In case you haven't noticed....there is a war between Welling supporters and Welling haters. It's been going on for years....I've been fighting it for years....if I had a nickle for every warning, probation, or banning I have had to hand out due to it I would be able to buy a decent meal at a decent restaraunt.

No one can say anything even slightly bad about Welling without a fight breaking out. Some people here then decide that like someone in a bad youth gang story they have to go out and exact revenge against said perpetrators. We the mods are tired of it. One way we have slowed the fighting down is by seperating you guys.

 

[Serene]

In case you haven't noticed....there is a war between Welling supporters and Welling haters. It's been going on for years....I've been fighting it for years....if I had a nickle for every warning, probation, or banning I have had to hand out due to it I would be able to buy a decent meal at a decent restaraunt.

No one can say anything even slightly bad about Welling without a fight breaking out. Some people here then decide that like someone in a bad youth gang story they have to go out and exact revenge against said perpetrators. We the mods are tired of it. One way we have slowed the fighting down is by seperating you guys.

It's not the goal of keeping the peace that is objectionable, it's the way it's being done.

I get that I don't pay the bills around here and only the people who do get to make the rules, but unless or until I'm banned, I can't not speak up about this.

There are rules about not talking smack about the actors in their individual threads right? So why would a TW thread in the Superman forum be any more of an issue than threads devoted to Routh or Cavill?

 

[epc11223]

In case you haven't noticed....there is a war between Welling supporters and Welling haters. It's been going on for years....I've been fighting it for years....if I had a nickle for every warning, probation, or banning I have had to hand out due to it I would be able to buy a decent meal at a decent restaraunt.

No one can say anything even slightly bad about Welling without a fight breaking out. Some people here then decide that like someone in a bad youth gang story they have to go out and exact revenge against said perpetrators. We the mods are tired of it. One way we have slowed the fighting down is by seperating you guys.

what he said