The Official Tom Welling Thread

[The Incredible Hulk]

IMO, during that torture scene, he did in fact look bad. The lats are were gone completely, the shoulders looked underdeveloped and the abs weren't as they were before, and overall just not ripped. The only thing that looked good were the biceps.
It was only when he rose from the chair and the light hit him in a more favorable way that his more Supermanly big boned look appeared.

his arms were stretched out over his head in chains, of course your'e not going to see shoulder and lat muscles defined. He's not a body builder. And of course flecxing his arms in chains is going to make his biceps look bigger.

As for the "pudgy" comment. Due to him gaining more weight and neglecting his work out, his face has added more fat, therefore loosing the more bony look he sported the earlier seasons.

How do you know he's not working out again? He could be doing all cardio for all we know.

 

[Mike22]

I'm not saying Tom needs body pads. I was just making a point that not all actors who are cast in big films have the absolute perfect physique like in the comics. You seem to have this extremely high standard for what Superman looks like in your mind. And judging by the pic of Diesel, you like him bulging muscle out of his tights. I don't prefer Superman that way so I'm ok with Tom's build the way it is. However, you are entitled to your opinion. I just think it's extremely harsh to keep emphasizing that Tom is in NO shape to wear the suit when he is in fact very good physical condition. He is going to be able to wear the suit and look amazing, just maybe not what you have pictured in your own mind.

Superman is Superman, he should look huge, as depicted in the comics, but in a realistic way. A fully pumped up Welling will be just this. I wouldn't even have bothered to comment were I not so sure that this guy can reach that type of build, not many people can, as proven by Routh. People shouldn't see this as criticism of Welling, but a huge compliment to him.
And I will stick to what I said about him, he is in NO shape for spandex, at least the way I view Superman. In season 4, he could've put on spandex and looked pretty damn good. Now, not so much.
And he might look " amazing" to you, but he looks far from such a thing from where I'm sitting. I see someone who's to busy doing Producer Stuff and worrying about the behind the scenes stuff on both his shows to worry about giving his character a proper send of. You know, the one that he's spent 10 years of his life playing, yeah, that guy. Even Christopher Reeve himself said that Superman was 70% appearance and 30 acting. Above all, a physical character like Superman has to look accurate, and I have yet to see anyone but Welling that actually can pull of performance, looks AND physicality to such an extent. I've waited 10 years for that final shot of my favorite Superhero, and hopefully Welling wont disappoint.
That's why I insist on him working out. He can play him just fine, and has the right face for it, now he needs to hit the gym.

 

[Mike22]

his arms were stretched out over his head in chains, of course your'e not going to see shoulder and lat muscles defined. He's not a body builder. And of course flecxing his arms in chains is going to make his biceps look bigger.

They were visibly underdeveloped. His shoulders in particular have been since season 5.

How do you know he's not working out again? He could be doing all cardio for all we know.

Because.it.doesn't.show.

 

[DavidB1111]

I just think it's extremely harsh to keep emphasizing that Tom is in NO shape to wear the suit when he is in fact very good physical condition. He is going to be able to wear the suit and look amazing, just maybe not what you have pictured in your own mind.

I agree with this.

Mike22, when you think of Superman, do you think of this? http://www.**************.com/images/users/uploads/11481/Batman_vs._Superman2.jpeg


Because, not even Arnold in his heyday could pull that off.

Superman is as Christopher Reeve said, 70% appearance, 30% power, but look, Tom can easily pull off wearing the suit.
And is it Spandex in the comics? I always though it was something else. Because it was made by his mother, from material left from his ship.
Pre-Crisis.

I mean, I don't think anyone can pull off Spandex. Not even Batman. And He's Batman.

 

[MJZ]

Diuretics? Lol, Welling can piss away all the water he wants, it's still not gonna magically make his shoulders bigger and rounder so to say, or his lats more developed, which you need if you're gonna be wearing Spandex and all, at least if you wanna look good. I'm fully aware of the nature of muscles, but Welling relies way to much on his big-boned body type.
Puffing up ones chest and good lighting can only get him so far. No doubt he's still a very big guy, but that's not as much because of his muscles as it is more to his natural size. Still a big guy, an does pack on muscles, just not as much as it appears on screen.
I've ALWAYS been impressed with Wellings size, but that's 95% more due to his big-boned nature than his actual muscles.
With Wellings body type good lighting and a puffed up chest give the illusion of pure muscles, especially when the t-shirt is designed to accentuate the frame by being tight around the chest and loose in the lower sections, but that's something that wont work to the same degree when wearing spandex, because in that case every inch of his body will be revealed and not just the frame as is the case with the t-shirt.

Three pictures, same episode, one from filming and two from behind the scenes.
Impressive isn't it?!

Now for when the lighting isn't as favorable and he hasn't puffed up his chest. His more natural state isn't quite as impressive.

Point being, he has to hit the gym, pronto. Work on shoulders above all, lats and lose as much weight as he can for definition. He should be able to do it within the next few months.

Yeah, those pictures really help your case!

He looks great in those pics. I see traces of Alex Ross and Frank Quitely's work in those pictures.

But I guess a few fringe bodybuilder-geek fans will only be pleased if he looks like a steroid monkey.

 

[Indy1Jones2]

Nonsense he looks the part. Do The Suit Already. He Is The Heir To Reeve.

 

[Mike22]

Yeah, those pictures really help your case!

He looks great in those pics. I see traces of Alex Ross and Frank Quitely's work in those pictures.

Great?? LOL. You know what, agree to disagree.

But I guess a few fringe bodybuilder-geek fans will only be pleased if he looks like a steroid monkey.

So basically you feel that Vin diesel qualifies as a not only a regular bodybuilder, but a FRINGE bodybuilder as well? I assume you were going for a slight insult there, but I really don't want to get into that game man. I'm just disappointed in Welling, I can never ever agree that he looks " Great" as you put it, not his present look anyway.

This is the ideal build for superman. If you feel that I'm exaggerating, than fine, but IMO, this is just the right amount of muscles.

 

[fixxxer1022]

i dont think tom eats junk food and all that. I am sure he eats a proper diet and meals and all that.

web no offense but you have no idea what the man eats.

he looks outta shape.../ thread!

 

[MJZ]

Great?? LOL. You know what, agree to disagree.
So basically you feel that Vin diesel qualifies as a not only a regular bodybuilder, but a FRINGE bodybuilder as well? I assume you were going for a slight insult there, but I really don't want to get into that game man. I'm just disappointed in Welling, I can never ever agree that he looks " Great" as you put it, not his present look anyway.

This is the ideal build for superman. If you feel that I'm exaggerating, than fine, but IMO, this is just the right amount of muscles.

It is ridiculous comparing people to each other saying how one guy should look like the next. Ain't gonna happen. Welling's a good 3-4 inches taller than Diesel, the muscles will hang differently on people of even the same height resulting in different looks.

I get it though, you like Vin Diesel.

 

[Mike22]

It is ridiculous comparing people to each other saying how one guy should look like the next. Ain't gonna happen. Welling's a good 3-4 inches taller than Diesel, the muscles will hang differently on people of even the same height resulting in different looks.

I get it though, you like Vin Diesel.

Why the insults man? I wasn't trying to insult you, yet you insist.
Welling has an even better bone structure than Diesel, Thing is he's just out of shape right now and it's painfully obvious.

 

[MJZ]

Why the insults man? I wasn't trying to insult you, yet you insist.
Welling has an even better bone structure than Diesel, Thing is he's just out of shape right now and it's painfully obvious.

How is that an insult? So quick to cry foul at the drop of a hat.

Frankly I find this more "ideal" for Superman, if we're going to start playing this game...

 

[Mike22]

How is that an insult? So quick to cry foul at the drop of a hat.

It sounded like an insinuation, my apologies if I were wrong.

Frankly I find this more "ideal" for Superman, if we're going to start playing this game...

Ben's sporting a great look there, very Gary Frank.

 

[Webhead2006]

I doubt welling would wear any padding. Plus we dont know for sure what sv final suit is going to be made from. So he could wear something not spandex and fit his body better. But yea if he does get the needed time during break hopwfully he will work out more.

 

[sarahg89]

Ughhh! Can ya'll stop saying what Tom should look like! He is the way he is and that's it! None of you know what he eats or how he works out. And just because he doesn't live up to some of you all's standards does not mean he's being lazy and neglecting his work out. He might not want to look like Diesel. What if Tom is happy the way he is? Which is great for Superman. Also, just because he's not packed with muscle does not mean he isn't doing everything to make sure that the character he has played for 10 years gets the proper send off. Tom is a hard worker who I'm sure wants this series to end right more that anyone. It is his name and face attached to it forever after all. And I get it, Mike22 thinks Tom has such great potential to look outstanding even though he is SO FAR from it right now. We all get it dude, you gave your opinion and Tom isn't getting bigger in a weeks time so can we please move on? We can pick this convo up after he puts on the suit. Oh wait, he's gonna look so good none of you will have anything to say except

 

[elgaz]

Guys, I'm a huge Tom Welling fan and will forgive him pretty much anything. But I see Mike22's point. Tom's physique a few seasons back was much more Superman-ly than it is now. He's not fat or out of shape, but he's definitely lost some of his muscle and definition and IMO, as he's about to put on the suit, it would look a lot better if he could squeeze in a few weeks gymn time during the break.

Some of you are taking this as a personal attack on Tom. It's not - he's simply saying this is the last ever season of Smallville, why not go out on a high looking as good as he can when he dons the suit?

Tom then -

Tom now-

He's definitely not as jacked as he was. He doesn't have to look like a bodybuilder, but he would definitely look better in the suit if he was closer to his previous size/build.

 

[Webhead2006]

Well let's all hope tom plans to/does work out to define his body a bit before the end. But we can't blame him to much if he does. Due to all the time he works on the show acting/producing and same with hellcats. Who knows how much free time he does even have.

 

[triplet]

Guys, I'm a huge Tom Welling fan and will forgive him pretty much anything. But I see Mike22's point. Tom's physique a few seasons back was much more Superman-ly than it is now. He's not fat or out of shape, but he's definitely lost some of his muscle and definition and IMO, as he's about to put on the suit, it would look a lot better if he could squeeze in a few weeks gymn time during the break.

Some of you are taking this as a personal attack on Tom. It's not - he's simply saying this is the last ever season of Smallville, why not go out on a high looking as good as he can when he dons the suit?

Tom then -

Tom now-

He's definitely not as jacked as he was. He doesn't have to look like a bodybuilder, but he would definitely look better in the suit if he was closer to his previous size/build.

One thing I think all of you are not paying attention to is the fact that a casual behind-the-scenes shot isn't necessarily a good indication of anything.

I mean, I thought one of the reasons that some guys looks so good for shoots and stuff is that they 'pump up' before them. The muscles when warmed and stressed, expand. John Schneider I thought talked about that for that one scene in an episode, I forget which one maybe Nicodemus?, where he had his shirt off and Martha was oohing and ahing he said he had to do multiple reps right before each shot...

Some of those shots from Season 5 where Tom was supposedly so much better to me he doesn't look all that much better. In some shots in some scenes, his arms do look slimmer than in others even in the same season within a few episodes of each other...

Is it the light?

Maybe.

Is it him slacking off so badly that he's lost tone noticeably within weeks or a month or two?

Possible, but I don't think so especially in the same season where he again looks like he's huge a few episodes later.

Maybe in Abandoned he was so busy trying to work the pre-production of Patriot he didn't have time in between shots to do a few reps to 'pump up' like normal.

In that one long shot where he's standing up after breaking free, he looked big again. That was shot the same day or within a day of the other shots where people say he lost definition and bulk.

I think it's not as easy an explanation as 'Tom is lazy and losing muscle'...

 

[Mike22]

Guys, I'm a huge Tom Welling fan and will forgive him pretty much anything. But I see Mike22's point. Tom's physique a few seasons back was much more Superman-ly than it is now. He's not fat or out of shape, but he's definitely lost some of his muscle and definition and IMO, as he's about to put on the suit, it would look a lot better if he could squeeze in a few weeks gymn time during the break.

Some of you are taking this as a personal attack on Tom. It's not - he's simply saying this is the last ever season of Smallville, why not go out on a high looking as good as he can when he dons the suit?

I'm glad at least one understood it.

Tom then -

He's definitely not as jacked as he was. He doesn't have to look like a bodybuilder, but he would definitely look better in the suit if he was closer to his previous size/build.

Close to perfect in these pictures. Here he was ready for the suit.

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

There is definitely a clear difference from 5 years ago and now

The only reason Im commenting on this is I am very skeptical he will actually physically wear the Superman costume.

He has not lost mass or weight, so theres no way he could fit into the suit prop they are currently using. IF they were tailoring a brand new SR suit for Tom (these suits are expensive by the way, cost of a brand new Ferrari or more), perhaps that would work.

Though it begs the question why they wouldnt have done that at the start of S10 as opposed to the final episode... seems like a better investment for the million spent. Them borrowing the BR suit from the WB archives makes me very skeptical.

I am sure they will show Superman, but it could very well be CG, or a body double in the current SR suit they are using with Toms face added digitally.

 

[elgaz]

I hope to God they don't go down that route. For one, most fans would not be happy with the fact that we're not really getting Tom Welling in a Superman suit - but a digital copy.

Also, given Smallville's meagre budget and some of the CGi/effects we've seen on the show lately .................. frankly, it would look awful.

How long is their mid season break, 2 months? If Tom can put in serious gymn work that's plenty of time to get a more muscular look back. He's fortunate that unlike most people, he's already pretty big boned and has the perfect shape frame so has a great base to work from.

I wanna see more of this .....!

http://www.**************.com/images/users/uploads/8805/Tom%20Welling.jpg

Another example - look at both pics below. Both taken from similar side angles, both taken mid-scene (not a pose for a promo pic) and he's in the same T-shirt in both. Now I concede there's not a MASSIVE difference, but he does seem smaller in the more recent picture - and that little 10% difference makes a much bigger impact when you put him in a Superman suit. Bigger Tom is definitely a bit more intimidating if you were a villain facing him down.

 

[Webhead2006]

I don't see why tom wont wear a suit what ever its made out of for at least the last episode. Tom has seemed to be more open to costumes now and all that. So I wouldn't rule out him not wearing costume. As for his body yes it has changed through the yrs but we got to remember he had alot more time to do things in early yrs plus was in early 20s then. Now he is in early 30s and folks bodies change over tije. But he is still in pretty decent shape. Sure he could work out a little more and get some more definition. Hopefully he will. But like I saod we don't really know what his work out schedule is like or how much free time he does have when not working on the shows. Vbut hopefully he will get the time to do things in break.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

YOu keep comparing show scenes from past seasons to behind the scenes photos of the guy from this season. It's apples and oranges. Anyone remember this pic of time from right around the time he was at his "biggest" in Season 4?

 

[avidreader]

How long is their mid season break, 2 months? If Tom can put in serious gymn work that's plenty of time to get a more muscular look back. He's fortunate that unlike most people, he's already pretty big boned and has the perfect shape frame so has a great base to work from.

The production doesn't get a two month break, they get more like 2 weeks.

I believe, from what I've read, that Tom does a lot of cardio workouts to keep in shape, but probably doesn't have the time to do the weights. If and when the time comes that he needs to don a spandex suit, he will most likely start preparing for it a month or so in advance.

 

[Webhead2006]

I thought its usally like a month they have off. Cause I remember usually they break for the month of dec and production doesn't kick up again to early jan.

 

[Serene]

How do you know he's not working out again? He could be doing all cardio for all we know.

We know from trainers who have twittered that he does kick-boxing and regular boxing. He's said before that he doesn't have a lot of time for work-outs, but despite that, he looks foine to me.

When I saw him live and in person at SDCC, I was actually kind of surprised at how incredibly FIT he was. Very tall and just about as perfectly fit looking as a man can get.

I've posted this before, but Tom has a crazy deep chest. He's a BIG guy, just about everyone who works with him comments on it.