The Official Tom Welling Thread

[MJZ]

Even clear-eyed, it's still a smart-assed punk look he's got in that manip. I have yet to see any of his guest appearances, but I certainly hope he's got a better live look than any of the ones I've see so far. A great jawline and a broad chin is just not enough to carry a whole film. <ducking>

Seriously, I would like to see him actually act in something, just to see how he moves and expresses himself. Pics alone just haven't impressed me.

Yeah that's the thing. He just looks like some smarmy-ass fratboy in all these pics. TW conveys a great deal of warmth, and dare I say innocence. Important Superman qualities in my book.

 

[AgentPat]

SamJordan from DTS posted some images he found over at Webshots on the DTS boards. I've seen most of the photos before, but I don't remember seeing the last shot. They're *big* images, so I'll just repost the links instead of the photos themselves.

The pics are candid shots of two young fans meeting Tom. I'm guessing the interaction was short and unexpected. They took photos with him, and he gave them his autograph. For Welling, it's probably one of those things that occurs All. The. Time.

So... how much did this "casual" meeting affect those fans? Just how bright is his star power with some people? OY!! Look at the reaction of the fan in the third pic. That poor girl. Man!

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3

Now THAT is a perfect example of a specific type of fan group that probably WON'T be represented on opening weekend of Singer's film. I would venture a guess there are a LOT of fans that fit that demo too - the ones that could care less what the film is about, yet still see the pic 5 times in theaters regardless just because of WHO is in it.

 

[Serene]

So... how much did this "casual" meeting affect those fans? Just how bright is his star power with some people? OY!! Look at the reaction of the fan in the third pic. That poor girl. Man!

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3

Now THAT is a perfect example of a specific type of fan group that probably WON'T be represented on opening weekend of Singer's film. I would venture a guess there are a LOT of fans that fit that demo too - the ones that could care less what the film is about, yet still see the pic 5 times in theaters regardless just because of WHO is in it.

I saw those posted before.. and that little girl's reaction is so sweet. Do you notice how tired and cold Tom looks? Not too tired or cold to give these young fans a thrill they'll always remember though.

 

[Thunder Emperor]

Yeah that's the thing. He just looks like some smarmy-ass fratboy in all these pics. TW conveys a great deal of warmth, and dare I say innocence. Important Superman qualities in my book.

you said it right there, i showed my buddy at work some of the recent pics and manips of routh and he said the excatly same thing/ also addoing that routh's eyes just where not focused and showed no sense of innoce as tw's did. which is such a superman quality.

 

[triplet]

Yes, it would have been. Great "actor" moment, that's for sure.

That's great writing. Clear. Concise. Meaningful. And your eyes just flow down the page.

People don't realize how hard that is to do well.

No wonder three networks were in a bidding war for the show. The pilot is absolutely brilliant. I wish I could post the whole thing...

 

[triplet]

Oh.. did someone mention eyes?

Oh. My. God.

He has the most beautiful eyes, actually that's what I like in men: beautiful eyes.

Maybe everything else should hard lines and chiseled jaw lines, but the eyes have got to be warm and inviting...

My husband has eyes like that... they twinkle when he's mischievous and are the prettiest color of blue-green...

I love pretty eyes, and Routh don't have a beautiful pair to boast of. Least not that I've seen anyway.

 

[triplet]

SamJordan from DTS posted some images he found over at Webshots on the DTS boards. I've seen most of the photos before, but I don't remember seeing the last shot. They're *big* images, so I'll just repost the links instead of the photos themselves.

The pics are candid shots of two young fans meeting Tom. I'm guessing the interaction was short and unexpected. They took photos with him, and he gave them his autograph. For Welling, it's probably one of those things that occurs All. The. Time.

So... how much did this "casual" meeting affect those fans? Just how bright is his star power with some people? OY!! Look at the reaction of the fan in the third pic. That poor girl. Man!

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3

Now THAT is a perfect example of a specific type of fan group that probably WON'T be represented on opening weekend of Singer's film. I would venture a guess there are a LOT of fans that fit that demo too - the ones that could care less what the film is about, yet still see the pic 5 times in theaters regardless just because of WHO is in it.

yep.

That last photo is exactly what Routh won't be getting anything like...



Oh, well... Their loss.

I just hope Tom can get something good from all this buzz that's surrounding him, like a high profile job on a big budget film that will make much better use of his talents.

 

[rumpuso]

SamJordan from DTS posted some images he found over at Webshots on the DTS boards. I've seen most of the photos before, but I don't remember seeing the last shot. They're *big* images, so I'll just repost the links instead of the photos themselves.

The pics are candid shots of two young fans meeting Tom. I'm guessing the interaction was short and unexpected. They took photos with him, and he gave them his autograph. For Welling, it's probably one of those things that occurs All. The. Time.

So... how much did this "casual" meeting affect those fans? Just how bright is his star power with some people? OY!! Look at the reaction of the fan in the third pic. That poor girl. Man!

Image 1
Image 2
Image 3

Now THAT is a perfect example of a specific type of fan group that probably WON'T be represented on opening weekend of Singer's film. I would venture a guess there are a LOT of fans that fit that demo too - the ones that could care less what the film is about, yet still see the pic 5 times in theaters regardless just because of WHO is in it.

Oh thank you Pat for posting those pictures. What a genuinely sweet moment to catch on film. I started opening them in the order you placed them and my heart was beating furiously by the time I reached your third picture. I must admit that even though I am in my 40s, have a full life, 2 beautiful children, a wonderful husband, and a boatload of animals, this man affects me and draws me in just by his magnetic aura. Ok that may have come off sounding corny, but here we have a physically gorgeous man, who by all rights is unapproachably amazing to behold, yet from all that we hear (and now see) is the sweetest individual who is very much unaffected by his star power. I sincerely do wish Brandon Routh all the best. He is just an innocent in this whole Brandon Routh vs. Tom Welling for Superman debate that is raging across the internet and beyond. But for me, I shall take Tom Welling and follow his career wherever it may take him, even if it apparently has nothing to do with Superman. I KNOW that Tom Welling is the reason my love for this iconic character has resurfaced after decades of dormancy. If that isn't a factor for TPTB when selecting Christopher Reeve's successor, then I'll just take my popcorn to the theater that has a Tom Welling movie instead. He just has that affect on me.

 

[Lara]

Oh thank you Pat for posting those pictures. What a genuinely sweet moment to catch on film. I started opening them in the order you placed them and my heart was beating furiously by the time I reached your third picture. I must admit that even though I am in my 40s, have a full life, 2 beautiful children, a wonderful husband, and a boatload of animals, this man affects me and draws me in just by his magnetic aura. Ok that may have come off sounding corny, but here we have a physically gorgeous man, who by all rights is unapproachably amazing to behold, yet from all that we hear (and now see) is the sweetest individual who is very much unaffected by his star power. I sincerely do wish Brandon Routh all the best. He is just an innocent in this whole Brandon Routh vs. Tom Welling for Superman debate that is raging across the internet and beyond. But for me, I shall take Tom Welling and follow his career wherever it may take him, even if it apparently has nothing to do with Superman. I KNOW that Tom Welling is the reason my love for this iconic character has resurfaced after decades of dormancy. If that isn't a factor for TPTB when selecting Christopher Reeve's successor, then I'll just take my popcorn to the theater that has a Tom Welling movie instead. He just has that affect on me.

Well said and that picture is one of the cutest things I've ever seen.

 

[muscles]

sO docker has the WB fired the rowth yet

 

[Lara]

sO docker has the WB fired the rowth yet

Did you quit taking your medication gain? Calm down take up meditiation or something here I'll help you start um.......um........um........um............um

 

[AgentPat]

What a genuinely sweet moment to catch on film.

Yeah, it is. I love photos like those 'cause they're worth a thousand words. And they prove a point not easily made otherwise. It's certainly not unusual for folks to get a little flustered, tongue-tied and/or week-kneed around celebrities. Even Kevin Smith admitted to being affected by meeting famous people. But when you see fans turned into emotional train wrecks, THAT's star power.

I must admit that even though I am in my 40s, have a full life, 2 beautiful children, a wonderful husband, and a boatload of animals, this man affects me and draws me in just by his magnetic aura. Ok that may have come off sounding corny, but here we have a physically gorgeous man, who by all rights is unapproachably amazing to behold, yet from all that we hear (and now see) is the sweetest individual who is very much unaffected by his star power. I sincerely do wish Brandon Routh all the best. He is just an innocent in this whole Brandon Routh vs. Tom Welling for Superman debate that is raging across the internet and beyond. But for me, I shall take Tom Welling and follow his career wherever it may take him, even if it apparently has nothing to do with Superman. I KNOW that Tom Welling is the reason my love for this iconic character has resurfaced after decades of dormancy. If that isn't a factor for TPTB when selecting Christopher Reeve's successor, then I'll just take my popcorn to the theater that has a Tom Welling movie instead. He just has that affect on me.

See, THIS is the kind of honest opinion that I think Warner Bros. *should* see. It includes demographic info, which is EXTREMELY important to entertainment executives, it supports a choice without bashing another, and it references both tangible and intangible qualities of a specific actor and his ability to entertain.

Nothing written here will come as any surprise to TPTB - it's not like they haven't already heard it from lay and professional people alike - but it's nice reality confirmation and IMHO, worth drilling.

Rumpuso, you've inspired me to do something I've only done twice before: write a "fan" letter to an entertainment conglomerate. Yours is already done. Slap a stamp on that sucker and send it on its way. Your voice is but one in the cosmic fugue...

Mr. Alan Horn
President and COO
Warner Bros. Entertainment
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522

 

[jas01724]

Those pictures were originally posted with one of the girls blurred out, and I suspect she'd rather have kept it that way - these large images were clearly taken from somebody's personal webshots collection, and as nice as they are I think that was a very rude thing for the person on DTS to do.

 

[rumpuso]

See, THIS is the kind of honest opinion that I think Warner Bros. *should* see. It includes demographic info, which is EXTREMELY important to entertainment executives, it supports a choice without bashing another, and it references both tangible and intangible qualities of a specific actor and his ability to entertain.

Nothing written here will come as any surprise to TPTB - it's not like they haven't already heard it from lay and professional people alike - but it's nice reality confirmation and IMHO, worth drilling.

Rumpuso, you've inspired me to do something I've only done twice before: write a "fan" letter to an entertainment conglomerate. Yours is already done. Slap a stamp on that sucker and send it on its way. Your voice is but one in the cosmic fugue...

Mr. Alan Horn
President and COO
Warner Bros. Entertainment
4000 Warner Blvd.
Burbank, CA 91522

Wow Pat, thank you for making me feel as if my opinion (admittedly one in millions of opinions out there) matters. I find myself feel a bit honored that my post has given you the inspiration to write to Alan Horn. You are a fantastic representative for all of us fans who feel saddened that Tom Welling has not been selected to be the big screen Superman. I am not usually one who is bold enough to do something such as writing to the president of a large entertainment company, but I would be more than pleased if you felt the inclusion of any snippets from my posts in your letter would be helpful to the cause. Then I could sit up straight with pride in my heart and feel as if I have made a difference by happenstance. Would you consider posting your letter for us all to read?

 

[Bruce_Wayne29]

I second that motion.

 

[rumpuso]

Since today is Wednesday, Smallville day, I thought I'd post an excerpt from an article on Tom just for the "halibut". I'm quite certain this has been discussed before, but the subject shall never grow old in my opinion. The following is an excerpt from the November 2004 issue of SFX...interview by Thomasina Gibson.

"SFX visited the set of Smallville earlier this year, and thus we've witnessed what has become known as "The Welling Phenomenon" first-hand. When the unassuming Welling made his way onto set for rehearsal, every single member of the show's production crew (completely unprompted) commented on how special he was "as a man" and how much he brings to their production. Quite creepy, actually. Is he really too good to be true? Could he be the Stepford Tom?

Despite the attention, the actor is very modest, especially when he's talking about his acting. "Forgive me for repeating what I said to you right back in season one," he begins, when we get a chance to chat to him on the couch in Lex's office, "but I really do still treat every day as on-the-job training. I try, every day, to keep it fresh and to get better. And with the support of everyone around me, it has been great. I still have some way to go before being totally satisfied with what I'm doing in terms of playing this role, but yeah, I've come a long way."

Insert gushing from the fans here!

And finally, beating a long dead horse here, but here is an excerpt from his response to being asked about the Superman film...

"Which, of course, brings us onto The Big Question - will he be playing Superman on the big screen? - "Well, I have been approached, but that's all I can say on the matter," he grins, a twinkle in his eyes, and refuses to say more..."

 

[RakuMon]

Anyone notice the lack of TW's inclusion in any of the DVD features? Of course he's not on the commentaries, but he's also nowhere to be found on the gag reel (a shame) and he's in a total of 30 seconds on the doc.

 

[Bad Superman]

That sucks. Maybe the rumors of him being considered for Superman could've reflected on Season 3's content. He could've been away for the auditions, etc.

 

[AgentPat]

Wow Pat, thank you for making me feel as if my opinion (admittedly one in millions of opinions out there) matters. I find myself feel a bit honored that my post has given you the inspiration to write to Alan Horn. You are a fantastic representative for all of us fans who feel saddened that Tom Welling has not been selected to be the big screen Superman.

Now *I'M* blushing. Thanks for the props, Rumpuso.

I am not usually one who is bold enough to do something such as writing to the president of a large entertainment company...

Oh, but you SHOULD. Don't worry, Alan Horn himself is not likely to actually open and read your letter, though I'm sure he's seen a few in his day. Writing letters about your entertainment preferences to those who provide it is the MOST direct way of telling them what you want and don't want to see. The fact that it is personal and specific to YOU is the best part.

With television, all the ratings in the world only tells the entertainment professionals what people are tuned into at any given moment. Big deal. It doesn't give them any feedback about how you feel about their programming, merely that your set is tuned in to it at the time. You could be in the kitchen making dinner when their show is on the air. They - and their advertisers - simply don't know.

Films have it even worse. There are only a few yardsticks that filmmakers can use to predict how an audience will - or won't - embrace a specific film. They look at what people have said about similar genre films in the past, but that doesn't say much. Posts like this one on I-Net message boards and newsgroups, focus groups, newspaper and magazine articles (supposedly written by "professionals" who should know what they're talking about, and therefore are respected more for their opinions), and finally "fan" letters, all contribute to the big picture.

Time was, one snail mail was considered representative of 1000 opinions. There are only 5000 Nielsen Families too, so their viewing habits are extrapolated into what an entire country's population thinks. I would venture a guess that at this early stage of production on Singer's film, ANY mail they get from "fans" would be appreciated. You are letting them know your feelings about what YOU enjoy. And by including demographic info (age, sex, amount of family members you take with you when you go to the movies, how often you go, geographic location, preferred genres, etc.), you're giving them marketing GOLD. Letters such as those, be they positive OR negative, ARE saved. They're NOT round filed.

but I would be more than pleased if you felt the inclusion of any snippets from my posts in your letter would be helpful to the cause. Then I could sit up straight with pride in my heart and feel as if I have made a difference by happenstance.

Well, you said a lot of things I would have said - and will say. I'll word it a little differently and personalize it, but I STILL say you should send a letter. You're passionate enough about the topic. Why not tell them what you think? It's important to you, right?

Would you consider posting your letter for us all to read?

I need about two hours of quiet time to compose one. I will likely be VERY direct and specific, and as such, don't think it a great idea to post publicly. I don't need or desire to be flamed by those who lurk here looking for an argument. That said, I'll be more than happy to forward you a copy when I collect my thoughts. They've been building for quite a while and I have a lot to say. LOL

 

[Ardrhielle]

TW not on the gag reel???
I knew he wasn't doing commentary, but this just gets worse and worse.
What is going on?

I just think this is really really strange. If nothing else, you'd think he'd be on the gag reel, I mean, the people on the show would understand that fans really like the out-takes, and why would the show's principle character not be included at all?
I hope it doesn't mean there's anything awry between Tom and the producers. That would make for an uncomfortable working situation. I wonder if the movie rigamarole has anything to do with contract nitty gritties on the tv show. All speculation, of course, but it is really wierd with no interview appearances this year, and suddenly Tom disappears from all the DVD extras too. I don't get it...

 

[RakuMon]

BTW, today is my bday and I turn the same age as Superman.

 

[darkzombiemutt]

2 Hours Pat? You of all people could write a book of short stories in that amount of time.

 

[darkzombiemutt]

lokmon, Happy birthday Superdude!

 

[AgentPat]

Well a super happy b-day to ya, Lokmon.


As to the whole DVD thing, I'm perplexed too. My skeptical side can put together all sorts of potential reasons, but my practical side tends to think any "omissions" weren't by design. But who knows? After the S2 set, the lack of much content on the S3 set on the part of the freakin' STAR of the show IS disappointing to say the least.

 

[AgentPat]

2 Hours Pat? You of all people could write a book of short stories in that amount of time.

I told you I had a lot to say, didn't I? LOL