"Here We Go Again" Part 4: New Welling As Superman Rumors?

[triplet]

Do you happen to be an expert of some sort? Because I don't want to be a hypocrite when I start calling you names (as you just did) for thinking you were even remotely qualified to deconstruct a persons actual words.

It's one thing to debate in the absence of fact. But you've been handed two links now with little to no ambiguity and yet somehow you're continuing a debate.

It's no use arguing with these folks, it's like.......


uhm....


yelling....


....into the wind.


Pointless.

 

[SpideyVille]

So what was the real deal with that whole "Tom playing Superman in Justice League Mortal" from a few years back. Was any of that even true?

 

[epc11223]

Do you happen to be an expert of some sort? Because I don't want to be a hypocrite when I start calling you names (as you just did) for thinking you were even remotely qualified to deconstruct a persons actual words.

It's one thing to debate in the absence of fact. But you've been handed two links now with little to no ambiguity and yet somehow you're continuing a debate.

ok one, i really didn't mean to be offensive, but it's naive to think that tom welling has ever wanted to play the role of superman. i guess i have the same credentials as some of the other people on here who think that tom welling's body/expression changed so drastically about hearing that they producers went with the sr suit, yet when he was interviewed he said how he thought it looked fantastic. what were the two links? i only saw the link of his actual interview where he said he's had nothing against wearing the suit, and thought it looked fantastic. you're telling me that there's no possible way that he was just trying to save face for the fans?

his face completely lit up when talking about going onto the set of hellcats. he has a love for smallville/clark kent, but in my opinion he has no interest in playing superman. i'm not a welling hater, and it's his prerogative to want/not want a particular role. i don't understand why some fans think that the wb have taken away something from someone who we don't really know if he ever wanted the part. the man has been doing this for ten years, and unless there's direct to videos, i really don't see him in the superman suit for more than ten seconds at the finale. i hope i'm wrong. i hope we get an epic two hour finale with him in the suit. but the past few years has felt like a superman show with no flights/tights. the blur is essentially superman without the suit, which really makes me sad. tom welling an executive producer, has probably wanted to stay as close to the "no flghts/no tights rule" till the end. it's sad that some people just dont get that. of course that's just speculation, but nothing really has disproven that. again, actions speak louder than words.

a few other posters on here have commented how some miss the point of welling not really wanting the part. i was simply agreeing with wargod and roach. i will say this once again. superman is bigger than any one actor that portrays him. while i agree that tom welling is looked at as this generations superman, michael keaton was once looked at as batman. at one point george reeves was once everyones superman until christopher reeve came along. reeve came along and passed the torch to welling. we don't know how reeve would have reacted to routh, but i think routh got the approval from his wife. i don't think reeve would have had a problem with routh as christopher reeve seemed to get that there always needs to be a superman. just like the ending to sr "i'm always be around" line.

smallville has always been looked at as a prequel to donner films, while sr has become the conclusion. this new superman film is like batman begins for a whole new generation. just like we have man of steel by byrnes, birthright, secret origins, and earth one, we have many interpretations to superman. as superman fans, we should be looking forward to it instead of trying to sign petitions and getting our hopes up for something thats unrealistic.

 

[Zing79]

ok one, i really didn't mean to be offensive, but it's naive to think that tom welling has ever wanted to play the role of superman. i guess i have the same credentials as some of the other people on here who think that tom welling's body/expression changed so drastically about hearing that they producers went with the sr suit, yet when he was interviewed he said how he thought it looked fantastic. what were the two links? i only saw the link of his actual interview where he said he's had nothing against wearing the suit, and thought it looked fantastic. you're telling me that there's no possible way that he was just trying to save face for the fans...

Just so we're clear here: everything you've argued for the last day and a half is your interpretation. I would understand if there was an absence of fact, but that's not the case. If this was 8 months ago before these interviews with Tom I could see this argument, but not anymore

Some of the old school posters from the very first casting wars could explain this to you in minute detail. But needless to say; with those interviews, plus a lot of the rumors that have gone around for the last 7 years, it's likely (as he literally has uttered in those interviews), that he is/was open to it, but for whatever reason things just never worked out.

 

[epc11223]

Just so we're clear here: everything you've argued for the last day and a half is your interpretation. I would understand if there was an absence of fact, but that's not the case. If this was 8 months ago before these interviews with Tom I could see this argument, but not anymore

Some of the old school posters from the very first casting wars could explain this to you in minute detail. But needless to say; with those interviews, plus a lot of the rumors that have gone around for the last 7 years, it's likely (as he literally has uttered in those interviews), that he is/was open to it, but for whatever reason things just never worked out.

mike says it really great in this post:

"It's really quite simple. Watching how he tends to dodge any Superman related question as if it was frikkin kryptonite, and he in general has never expressed any kind of desire to actually WANT to go over to the movies, it shouldn't be hard to figure out that the man simply does not to put those tights on. Even at comic con when asked about wearing the costume he immediately replied some to effect of " it would have to be the last shot at the very end" or something like that. I truly believe that had Tom Welling wanted to be movie Superman, he would have gotten it, and smallville would have ended a long time ago. But he seems like the type that worries a lot, maybe he feels he's not a good enough actor and would get tons of crap for it, maybe he just realised that such a high profile movie would forever label him superman and ending up always getting similar parts in other movies. I guess he thought it was a safe thing to do smallville since it was superman without the suit, and it was a very clever way of getting the best of such a popular character without resorting to wearing a suit he seems to wanna avoid.

And this isn't just speculating, I've heard some very interesting stuff from a member around here that's actually been hanging out with Schneider and Marsters at different events and after a while they spoke openly about this stuff. Welling could've been Superman IF he wanted to and Smallville would have ended in the fifth season, but he refused so I kinda changed my mind about him in these last few months.
If he doesn't want to do it, that's fine, I understand. I just have my reasons to think that we're not gonna be seeing much of him in the suit, if at all."


explain what to me? how much tom wants to play the part when in that interview from comic con that he says "he's always been open to it". to me thats not someone who wants to play the part of superman. being open to it means that if he has to be superman, he will do it for the show. if it came to it. but that doesn't mean he wants to play the part. guys like routh and manganiello have expressed their desires to actually play the part. welling has never said "i want to be superman". there are many sites and fans that think he should carry on the legacy of superman. but that doesn't mean that he wants to. we don't know if snyder/nolan even wanted him to play the part of superman for the movie. everyone has their own interpretation and want to make it their own. wb probably would have been happy with welling because they know that he has a fan base and is still a relative unknown. but maybe they actually visit these boards because cavill has also been someone that the fans have wanted. but it shouldn't really come as a surprise that welling isn't cast in the new movie. i dont understand how anyone can be upset about this or surprised.

 

[SrsBsns]

It does stink that Welling never received the role, but I agree with the posters who speculate that TW just doesn't really want the role. Yes, he has gone on camera to say he's "definitely open to it" but come on, that does nottranslate to "I want this role and will pursue it." Ten years is an amazing run to say the least, and the entire casts dedication and respect to the show (and the fanbase too!) is something to be admired in itself. To most of us, myself included, Tom Welling will always be THE Superman of this generation.

Guys, there really isn't much more that can be said about all this. We will never really know how Welling felt/feels about the Supes movies until he comes out and downright says, if he ever does. We should move on and accept that Cavill, despite not being the number one choice for all of us, has been cast and he'll probably do one hell of a job too

 

[Bruce_Wayne29]

i really and truly hate to be rude, as this is going to come off as mean, but you're very naive if you think he means what he says here. i apologize in advance because i don't mean to hurt any feelings. however, with that said; if he really and truly wanted to play the part of superman, it could have happened. i believe he says that he's always been open for a few reasons. 1) he knows that he doesn't have to worry about portraying the character of superman anymore and 2) he doesn't want to upset his fans. it's a very political move on his part. which is smart.

also, for those who said how his demeanor changed and was upset when he found out about the superman returns suit, here in this video he says how fantastic it looks. i mean, if we're going to take his word on everything, you have to look at that as well, right? tom welling may know that he doesn't have to wear it, and thats why he thinks it looks fantastic. there's just so many things that points to tom welling not wanting to put on the tights. right at the end he's extremely jubilant when he says that he's going over to hellcats. i think this can tell us how much he wants to be a producer/director and be more behind the scenes. tom welling started out as a model, but i don't think he ever really imagined being an actor for this long. luckily smallville was a hit and i'm sure he's grateful for the longevity of having steady work, but is now ready to move on to other aspects of the industry. he's really been proactive for himself in directing and then going into producing. becoming an executive producer for smallville and also hellcats.

but from the get go, he's said how he didnt want to see the same old superman show with tights and needed to be reassured that this is a show about clark kent. yes he's said that he's "always been open to the idea", but actions speak louder than words.

Did it occur to you that this time he talked about it because he COULD ?
In 2004 after the PCA's incident and Routh being cast it would't be elegant on his part to talk about any talks that might have or not have happaned or if he wanted or not play the part in the movie. Not to mention he could've burned some bridges with Warner Bros. so he said he prefered not to talk about it as it "would be damned if you, damned if you don't."
This time he could talk about it as a reboot was on the way but no casting or director had been chosen. He was asked about it, he answered ("I don't know - do you have a script?") and made himself available if all the conditions were there, explaining it's not as easy as ppl think.
Of course none of this matter because you would always find an excuse to say Tom "doesn't want the part". If he didn't say anything it would be "he doesn't want it because he always avoids the question in interviews and never answers."
Now that he clearly answered the question, ppl STILL make lame excuses.
I know for some fans they need to hear clearly "I'm a huge Superman fan and I REALLY want this part." but they tend to forget that Routh was an out of work actor and he REALLY needed this part to make it (lol) somehow.
Tom was already known, is in a successful series and made 3 movies. It would be incredibly stupid (something that Tom is NOT) business wise to say
what most of you wanted, which is that he would do everything to get the part and even for free if needed.
Tom knows he has a huge following that wants him to play Superman in movies and that is his huge negotial advantage to get the best possible deal if the come to him. By answering the way he did, he threw himself in the casting mix without hurting any possible future negotiations.
You make it seem like he has to practically throw himself in the producer/director's arms and say how much he wants and loves this part, almost like owes it to us. Grow up.
Plus not every actor has to be a comic book fan to play these heroes.
Routh happaned to be but most of the best actors to play Superheroes wasn't (Reeve, Keaton, Bale, Maguire).
As for the incredibly ridiculous claim that Tom would have the part if he wanted. You're the one who's naive if you think that's the way things work in Hollywood.
Again, even if that worked (if it did, there wouldn't be any out of work actors !lol), it would be the worst business decision Tom would ever do as he would be basically screwed in a contract.
Could you imagine Warner Bros. going to almighty Nolan (or Snyder or any name director) and saying "Ok we're gonna have you produce/direct this movie but you won't have any say in casting as we already have Tom Welling for Superman !" PLEASE !
Any name director would want to his own casting and choose his own Superman (which is why to a certain point I prefered a less known director) let alone the almost Godly Nolan whom Warner Bros. gives carte blanche to do anything he wants (at least until they realize the next Batman movie may not gross a billion dollars without Ledger's death to boost it).
The only way it would happen would be if Warner managed to get Tom a screentest and he would knock it out the park for Nolan/Snyder (which didn't happen by all accounts) or if any of the two would be familiar with and fans of Smallville, which seemed the case of Brett Rattner (which is why we knew about it) who wanted Tom to play the part when he was envolved with the movie in 2002/2003.
Tom met with him to discuss the movie (sure sounds like someone who's not interested) but things didn't work out because it would have to mean Smallville (who was only in it's 2nd or 3rd season) would have to end.

 

[avidreader]

That's what I've telling people. The very same second they decided to bring that..thing, as the shows official suit, it was done for good. Even if they make a new one to fit Welling better, it'd be one based on that suit. But I suppose if they just made a new belt and opened the neckline more, I'd be fine with it.

Smallville isnt beyond changing the look of a prop if they want a different look. Its been done many times over the course of the series.

Spaceship???

 

[KalKai]

Turns out Lois isn't even the main female lead:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118031515?refCatId=13

Exclusive: With Henry Cavill set as the Man of Steel, Warner Bros. now moves on to its female lead -- not Lois Lane, if you'll recall -- and a short list of contenders is coming together.
Alice Eve, Diane Kruger and Rosamund Pike have emerged as the three thesps being considered for the character, whose identity hasn't been disclosed.

Early reports had names such as Rachel McAdams and Kristen Stewart as female leads, but sources tell Variety that the studio doesn't want a name that could overshadow its leading man.

 

[epc11223]

Did it occur to you that this time he talked about it because he COULD ?
In 2004 after the PCA's incident and Routh being cast it would't be elegant on his part to talk about any talks that might have or not have happaned or if he wanted or not play the part in the movie. Not to mention he could've burned some bridges with Warner Bros. so he said he prefered not to talk about it as it "would be damned if you, damned if you don't."
This time he could talk about it as a reboot was on the way but no casting or director had been chosen. He was asked about it, he answered ("I don't know - do you have a script?") and made himself available if all the conditions were there, explaining it's not as easy as ppl think.
Of course none of this matter because you would always find an excuse to say Tom "doesn't want the part". If he didn't say anything it would be "he doesn't want it because he always avoids the question in interviews and never answers."
Now that he clearly answered the question, ppl STILL make lame excuses.
I know for some fans they need to hear clearly "I'm a huge Superman fan and I REALLY want this part." but they tend to forget that Routh was an out of work actor and he REALLY needed this part to make it (lol) somehow.
Tom was already known, is in a successful series and made 3 movies. It would be incredibly stupid (something that Tom is NOT) business wise to say
what most of you wanted, which is that he would do everything to get the part and even for free if needed.
Tom knows he has a huge following that wants him to play Superman in movies and that is his huge negotial advantage to get the best possible deal if the come to him. By answering the way he did, he threw himself in the casting mix without hurting any possible future negotiations.
You make it seem like he has to practically throw himself in the producer/director's arms and say how much he wants and loves this part, almost like owes it to us. Grow up.
Plus not every actor has to be a comic book fan to play these heroes.
Routh happaned to be but most of the best actors to play Superheroes wasn't (Reeve, Keaton, Bale, Maguire).
As for the incredibly ridiculous claim that Tom would have the part if he wanted. You're the one who's naive if you think that's the way things work in Hollywood.
Again, even if that worked (if it did, there wouldn't be any out of work actors !lol), it would be the worst business decision Tom would ever do as he would be basically screwed in a contract.
Could you imagine Warner Bros. going to almighty Nolan (or Snyder or any name director) and saying "Ok we're gonna have you produce/direct this movie but you won't have any say in casting as we already have Tom Welling for Superman !" PLEASE !
Any name director would want to his own casting and choose his own Superman (which is why to a certain point I prefered a less known director) let alone the almost Godly Nolan whom Warner Bros. gives carte blanche to do anything he wants (at least until they realize the next Batman movie may not gross a billion dollars without Ledger's death to boost it).
The only way it would happen would be if Warner managed to get Tom a screentest and he would knock it out the park for Nolan/Snyder (which didn't happen by all accounts) or if any of the two would be familiar with and fans of Smallville, which seemed the case of Brett Rattner (which is why we knew about it) who wanted Tom to play the part when he was envolved with the movie in 2002/2003.
Tom met with him to discuss the movie (sure sounds like someone who's not interested) but things didn't work out because it would have to mean Smallville (who was only in it's 2nd or 3rd season) would have to end.

you give way too much credit to tom welling that it's ridiculous. i never once said that he owed it to the fans. never once! i've said that he doesnt appear to want to play the part of superman. neither one of us is ever going to be proven right or wrong because he's never going to flat out say "yeah, i never really wanted to put on those tights" or say "man, i would have loved to play superman in sr or the new film" the reason why he never commented back in 2006 or earlier about portraying superman is because he didnt go to the comic cons. he rarely does interviews. the only reason why he was there the last two years was because he was an executive producer and the cast has become extremely small. probably couldn't put a panel up wihtout a criteria. i'm just speculating on that last part as i don't know what goes on for comic con panels. but you dont really need to have a clear cut "i dont want to play the part" to come to the conclusion that he doesnt really want to play superman. i dont understand why it's so important for you to think that he loves superman or wants to be superman.

this show is already a superman show! we've seen metallo, brainiac, lois, perry, and even had doomsday on the show. this is a superman show without flights and tights. flight can be extremely costly, so i can see why they wanted to keep with that rule; but he should have had the suit already. at this point, clark should be superman and inspiring others, not the one who needed inspiration to become superman. yes it's a new mythology, but they've also said that it's supposed to keep in line with the donner films. if he really wants to play the part of superman, than the show will turn into a metropolis show or two hour movies. i think i read that a show that may have, or soon to end, may get some additional seasons or something. hopefully it's smallville, but one can dream.

i also said that wb probably would have wanted welling for the part in the reboot, but that snyder/nolan would want their own superman! there was a couple of years where there was no reboot, no sequel, and that could have been a time where tom could have advocated to wear the suit. now again, this is all speculation, and i'm not mad at tom! that would be completely ridiculous to be mad at someone that i dont know! you talk about him as if you two are best friends. but it's my personal opinion that he has no interest, nor has he ever been interested in putting on the tights. clark is a reporter, he's engaged to lois, he's dealt with so many villains and they changed superman to the "blur". as a fan its frustrating, but i dont blame tom. but i'm not going to be naive to think that he wants the part. if he really wanted it, and if nolan/snyder liked his portrayal, i dont think he would have had a problem getting the part.

 

[Webhead2006]

Kal I think that article could be off with news. I serious doubt they wouldn't do lois and she has to be a big supporting role for the film. We know nolans/goyer/snyder are all big into the comics. So I doubt lois would not be used or only be a small role. Heck we still haven't gotten real solid story details. Beyond various rumors that could be wrong. So I think lois will be in movie and a key lead role.

As for the tom stuff. That is the thing. We don't know all the details from the casting days of what turned into sr, jlm, and now the snyder reboot. There was so much bs through them all. And sometimes we didn't have much info to go by. As for when the show started gough/millar/welling didn't want this show to just be superboy in tight and all that. Which is where the no suit/flying thing@ ame in. And sure tom did worry about being labeled superman which he will always be like any past super actor did. And sure he wasn't keen on costumes either. But he has opened up alot more in past three seasons.

So ultimately sure maybe he would have done a movie he all the cards lined up. But wasn't really an option this time. Since pretty much when snyder came on board. We knew they wanted a clean start. Which is what film series needed. And all that.

As for tom and costume. I still do think we will get more then one little scene for a few seconds. We had the little teases and all that already all these. Yrs. No way they would end it like that. It has to be a bigger thing. Now yes I doubt expect him wearing the suit for all of finale episode. But at least two or three scenes which in end is like no less then 5mins would be nice. And really it would probably only be like two days of filming. And then tom would never have to wear super suit again.

 

[KalKai]

NoLoisLane

 

[KalKai]

Some people think it's gonna be Chloe.. blonde and all..

lol.

 

[Webhead2006]

Well this is an intheresting development. I do really hope that lois is in the film. I can't see snyder/nolans/goyer skipping her all together. Now as for who the role could be. Maybe it is lara, maybe cat grant, maybe a female villain?, or ultimatwly a made for film character like rachael dawes in bb/tdk. Hopefully we find out soon.

 

[elgaz]

All this discussion about Tom being Superman is ridiculous.

He's not playing Superman on the big screen, end of. Cavill has been cast, he will likely be recast if there's any sequels and by that stage Tom will likely be too old or have moved on in his career.

Discussing whether or not he wanted to play Superman is irrelevant; no matter how many of you think you can interpret his words in certain ways, no-one really knows what is going on in Tom Welling's mind - so this is all speculation. Arguing over speculation is a waste of time since no-one will ever win the argument.

 

[RakuMon]

Smallville isnt beyond changing the look of a prop if they want a different look. Its been done many times over the course of the series.

Spaceship???

Actually, the spaceship was only different in the pilot. In fact, a lot of design elements of the pilot weren't carried over to the rest of the series. Aside from the ship design, the ship's "heart," the Smallville High logo, and the varsity jacket were all tweaked between the Pilot and Metamorphosis. Which is a common practice. A pilot is usually shot before the series is picked up, It's what they use to shop around to different networks. A little bit of time passes between when a pilot is shot and then picked up and put into production.

For the most part, they've been pretty consistent in their design elements otherwise. That's why the intro of the crystal fortress was so disheartening. Because it meant that the show was moving away from its reimagined Kryptonian tech design aesthetic--silvery, metallic like the aforementioned ship's heart, the octagonal key--to an aesthetic more in line with Donner/Singer--crystal phalluses everywhere--so, by intro-ing Routh's suit on the show, they've pretty much set up that that will be the one Clark will ultimately wear. (Whether Tom will wear it is another issue.) And I have a pretty good source who confirms as much.

Turns out Lois isn't even the main female lead:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118031515?refCatId=13

Exclusive: With Henry Cavill set as the Man of Steel, Warner Bros. now moves on to its female lead -- not Lois Lane, if you'll recall -- and a short list of contenders is coming together.
Alice Eve, Diane Kruger and Rosamund Pike have emerged as the three thesps being considered for the character, whose identity hasn't been disclosed.

Early reports had names such as Rachel McAdams and Kristen Stewart as female leads, but sources tell Variety that the studio doesn't want a name that could overshadow its leading man.

To be honest, I'm not disappointed with this. Rumors point to the movie being a Birthright-esque story in which a young Clark is traveling the world before becoming Superman. If that's the case, he probably won't move to Metropolis and be Superman until the second half of the movie. I bet Lois will still be in it but have a minor role. The other possibility could be that this casting call is for Lara and that Kal-El's biological family has a larger role?

 

[Prison Mike]

Does this mean that Lois will not be in the film AT ALL or that she's just not the female lead. Maybe she will have a cameo or something. Anyway, this is something new and different and I'm excited for it.

 

[KalKai]

this is something new and different

Not really, it's the 1st 3 seasons of Smallville.

 

[Johnny]

Jeez, MJ is not in the new Spiderman, now Lois is not in Superman, too. WTF.

 

[Webhead2006]

Well mj/gwen thing is different for spidey since he has had alot of love interests in the comics. And the variety article didn't say lois isn't in the film. Just that they don't know right now. Plus the story said this is an unamed female lead. Never said it is a love interest. So maybe it could be lara, or some character like that. That leaves lois in a smaller role leading to romance.

 

[SuperNoob]

Clark getting a job at the DP and meeting Lois at the end of the movie would be a nice set-up for a sequel.

 

[SpideyVille]

I wonder if the main female would be Lana then?

 

[Zing79]

you give way too much credit to tom welling that it's ridiculous. i never once said that he owed it to the fans. never once! i've said that he doesnt appear to want to play the part of superman. neither one of us is ever going to be proven right or wrong because he's never going to flat out say "yeah, i never really wanted to put on those tights" or say "man, i would have loved to play superman in sr or the new film" the reason why he never commented back in 2006 or earlier about portraying superman is because he didnt go to the comic cons. he rarely does interviews. the only reason why he was there the last two years was because he was an executive producer and the cast has become extremely small. probably couldn't put a panel up wihtout a criteria. i'm just speculating on that last part as i don't know what goes on for comic con panels. but you dont really need to have a clear cut "i dont want to play the part" to come to the conclusion that he doesnt really want to play superman. i dont understand why it's so important for you to think that he loves superman or wants to be superman.

Honestly...I feel like I'm in an episode of Mythbusters. How much damn info do you need to stop believing in the boogie-man? You just go on and on like every piece of evidence produced has some kind of deeper meaning. I would HATE to know you in real life - because based on how you act on here, nothing that's ever said to you can be taken at face value.

Sometimes the Sky really is just blue you know.

 

[p4poetic]

Turns out Lois isn't even the main female lead:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118031515?refCatId=13

Exclusive: With Henry Cavill set as the Man of Steel, Warner Bros. now moves on to its female lead -- not Lois Lane, if you'll recall -- and a short list of contenders is coming together.
Alice Eve, Diane Kruger and Rosamund Pike have emerged as the three thesps being considered for the character, whose identity hasn't been disclosed.

Early reports had names such as Rachel McAdams and Kristen Stewart as female leads, but sources tell Variety that the studio doesn't want a name that could overshadow its leading man.

Interesting.

 

[RakuMon]

I'm attempting a weekly Smallville column. We'll see how long I'll stick with it:

http://www.popcultureshock.com/waiting-superman-beginning/55856/