I'd like to know how many times the same people voted for him. The fans of welling can be fanatical bc he does have a fanbase, I just don't think if you ask a 100 people in the g.a. Who he is, they'll go who Is that?
Actually, this is a reason you can cast Welling as Supes.
-If the general audience doesn't know who he is. Then their is no conflict if the story is different than Smallville.
-I am sure their is a good segment of the general audience that may have heard that TW played Superman on a tv show. Again, their is no conflict if the story is different and the good news is that they associate TW with Superman.
-You get the upside of all of the Smallville fans who will go to see the movie. Yes, they may be upset if none of the Smallville cast or background is used. But, will be excited to see TW as Superman.
-The only negative would be the other Supes fans who dislike TW. They will complain. But, in the end will probably go see the movie. And if its good they will see it again. And like big Smallville fans. They are not a huge part of the general audience.
I will use my nephew and his friends (all 23yrs old) as an example. They are not fanboys. They would see Superman if ,like Dark Knight, they heard it was a good movie. If you asked them about TW. They would probably just say he plays Supes on the tv show. Ask them about anything else from the show and they will not know it...Also, these are the same guys who were annoyed a bit by Superman Returns. Why make a "sequel" to a 30yr old movie that most of them hadn't seen. Yes, they could figure it out. It just made no sense. And those who awere familiar with Superman. Were familiar with the post 1985 reboot. (ie-Lex as Corporate exec) from the Animated show, Lois & Clark and yes..Smallville.