Tom Welling as Superman

[Milkman95]

Let's be realistic without having a biased opinion on this matter - Tom has been and always will be an average actor more than likely. He showed flashes of something early on, but it sure wasn't brilliance.

He's definitely improved though, which is good.

 

[triplet]

You talking about me?

I don't mind being biased and I've not tried to make out that I'm being objective. I'm hardly that....

 

[AgentPat]

So much to reply to in this thread; so little time. *sigh*

On the why-Welling-was-cast issue, it was a combination of both -- appearance followed by a successful screen test -- that got him the role. Nutter picked Welling's picture out of a ton of other actor's resume sheets. There was some back and forth involving previewing the script (which G&M wouldn't let Welling see until he came in to read for the part), but the screen test went well and his chemistry with Kreuk was exactly what they were looking for.

Welling's resemblance to Reeve was more an end result of casting to type than it was something specifically sought for. Their goal was to find an actor who fit the description of what people thought a young Clark Kent would look like. But the image folks had in their heads was somebody who looked like Reeve. Tall and athletic, dark hair, bright eyes, angular face, etc. So it came as no surprise when people started asking if Welling was related to Reeve. Some even though he was Reeve's son.

Welling is arguably the most improved actor of the entire cast, and for good reason. He's the main lead on a show that's lasted five years. He's needed on set Every. Day. and knows more about the show and its characters than anybody else. Even seasoned actors like Glover have said they've never been involved with a production that's lasted that long.

Anyhoo, looks may have gotten Tom's foot through the door, but it's his intelligence, personal aptitude and innate talent that made him lighting-in-a-bottle for The WB.

 

[triplet]

^^--- Exactly!

 

[avidreader]

^^ Precisely.

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

I wish the internet was around back in the early 80's so we couldve read what people thought of Tom Hanks when he was cross-dressing on a weekly basis on "Bosom Buddies".

Not saying Tom Welling will be Tom Hanks by any stretch, just would be curious to see how people reacted to a guy who became a great actor later on in life back when he was doing a TV series and odd little feature films like "Bachelor Party"...

Well I think I've exceeded my self-imposed post limit for the day here....

 

[AgentPat]

...Nutter picked Welling's picture out of a ton of other actor's resume sheets...

I started thinking about this when I got home tonight and imagined how much fun it would have been to be a fly on the wall and watch everything unfold.

I believe this is the photo that was on Welling's casting resume...

Young Clark Kent? Yeah, definitely. The features are there. Lets get him in.

So, after a little prodding, Nutter and G&M convince the "kid" to come in to read for the part.

In walks something resembling this, all 6'4" of him...

Wha... Uh... Well all riiiiighty then.

After the screen test, TPTB convince the network to go with Welling. (Rumor has it The WB was leaning more towards Jensen Ackles, who also auditioned for the role of Clark.) But G&M prevail, and the network turns around and whips this up...

Yeah, that'll work.

The rest is history.

Five years later...

$$$$ Cha-ching.

 

[BareKnucklez]

I started thinking about this when I got home tonight and imagined how much fun it would have been to be a fly on the wall and watch everything unfold.

I believe this is the photo that was on Welling's casting resume...

Young Clark Kent? Yeah, definitely. The features are there. Lets get him in.

So, after a little prodding, Nutter and G&M convince the "kid" to come in to read for the part.

In walks something resembling this, all 6'4" of him...

Wha... Uh... Well all riiiiighty then.

After the screen test, TPTB convince the network to go with Welling. (Rumor has it The WB was leaning more towards Jensen Ackles, who also auditioned for the role of Clark.) But G&M prevail, and the network turns around and whips this up...

Yeah, that'll work.

The rest is history.

Five years later...

$$$$ Cha-ching.

Honestly Smallville is a big big reason why the WB was even able to make SR... IMO I think the WB owes the fans, and the show alot, and should really give it a full send off in the big screen eventually after the series has ran its course...

Especially if SR tanks... Which could still happen.

 

[\S/JcDc\S/]

Honestly Smallville is a big big reason why the WB was even able to make SR... IMO I think the WB owes the fans, and the show alot, and should really give it a full send off in the big screen eventually after the series has ran its course...

Especially if SR tanks... Which could still happen.

WB has been developing the new Superman movie for years. It has nothing to do with the success of a tv show, otherwise the height of Lois and Clark popularity (which was bigger than SV has been) would have resulted in a new movie.

 

[KalKai]

Lois & Clark ended after 4 seasons, where was the popularity? lol.

 

[Scooter]

I remember seeing a quote from Welling saying he was only 6'2" and change, a hair under 6'3". That doesn't bear much relevance, but I'm pretty sure he isn't 6'4".

Just thought I'd contribute something.

 

[triplet]

He's 6'4"... the director for The Fog said so in his commentary and Tom has claimed different heights at different times for a variety of reasons.

What I do know is that Tom is taller than John Schneider by probably close to an inch and JS claims 6'3"....

So that, in addition to what the Fog director said, leads me to believe he's probably 6'4" (or pretty damn close to it)...

 

[\S/JcDc\S/]

Lois & Clark ended after 4 seasons, where was the popularity? lol.

Ummm... The height of it's popularity would be when 21 million viewers tuned in for it's season 3 debut episode.

The show was quite popular. Season 1 developed a fan base. Season 2/beginning of 3 maintained fanbase. By end of season 3/into season 4... Fanbase decline begins.

 

[Zing79]

WB has been developing the new Superman movie for years. It has nothing to do with the success of a tv show, otherwise the height of Lois and Clark popularity (which was bigger than SV has been) would have resulted in a new movie.

Remember...its puff, puff, THEN PASS. If all you do is keep it for yourself, you're the only one messed up in the room. And that's never good.

 

[Scooter]

He's 6'4"... the director for The Fog said so in his commentary and Tom has claimed different heights at different times for a variety of reasons.

What I do know is that Tom is taller than John Schneider by probably close to an inch and JS claims 6'3"....

So that, in addition to what the Fog director said, leads me to believe he's probably 6'4" (or pretty damn close to it)...

Huh, he's always looked shorter than Schneider to me...

 

[AgentPat]

Huh, he's always looked shorter than Schneider to me...

Not wearing any shoes in most scenes can do that too. LOL

Here's a few photos where they probably weren't compensating in any way...

Not as good as the others, but you can see relative size and shoulder height here...

And with Glover, who's 6'1"...

Yo, Zing, pass some this way!

WB synergy in full force
Welling, quality of show aids 'Smallville's' success
By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

...the success of "Smallville" has even helped bring a theatrical movie to fruition. Bryan Singer is directing "Superman Returns," starring Brandon Routh as the latest Clark Kent.

It's easy to underestimate how "Smallville" helped jumpstart an entire franchise. But prior to Tom Welling taking over as Clark Kent, the Superman character had been limping along for several years.

The last major Superman TV show, "Lois & Clark," suffered dismal ratings toward the end of its run. And Superman hadn't had a movie presence in years.

...WB Entertainment president David Janollari says several factors led to the show's success, including Welling, and the "fresh take on Superman's teenage years and the consistent quality of the show." And, of course, "the cohesive way divisions like DC, Warner Bros. TV, the WB and the producers have worked closely together to produce a hundred different episodes that remain true to the character's inherent tone and mythology," he says.

http://www.variety.com/story.asp?l=story&a=VR1117936821&c=2109

 

[BaK]

Let's be realistic without having a biased opinion on this matter - Tom has been and always will be an average actor more than likely.

Average actors do not have great chemistry with everyone..

He ain't average in any sense of the word..
And if he is, he sure hides it very well..

 

[Milkman95]

Average actors do not have great chemistry with everyone..

He ain't average in any sense of the word..
And if he is, he sure hides it very well..

We'll agree to disagree then. Any educated film critic or professional would tell you otherwise I'm sure. Keep in mind I never said he wasn't good...........

 

[AgentPat]

Average actors do not have great chemistry with everyone..

Some actors can manufacture chemistry when none exists. Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey proved this in Dirty Dancing. Off camera, they hated each other. But they managed to pull off some very convincing chemistry on camera. Go figure?

In a recent interview, Selma Blair commented on the chemistry thing and how she always believed it was an actor's JOB to create the illusion and make it real for the audience. That is until she got cast opposite Welling in The Fog. Apparently, she was so enamored by him, she couldn't even remember her lines. I think she did a good job though; their chemistry on screen sizzled. Maybe because it was real, I dunno? It does make me wonder how that would have played out with her cast as Lois opposite his Superman though. *siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiigh*

ANYwaaaaay.... Moving on. LOL

He ain't average in any sense of the word..
And if he is, he sure hides it very well..

Now THAT I agree with you on. There's very little that's "average" about TW.

 

[Ultimate_Superman]

Lois & Clark ended after 4 seasons, where was the popularity? lol.

What you forget also is that Lois and Clark were on a bigger network then SV was and had a Smaller budget and still did well. Lets see how good SV would have done if it was on CBS like Lois and Clark (and remember even back the CBS had good shows). So lets see the shows on the WB all but suck expect SV. So really SV didn't have to worry or compete with other shows on its network to much. Lois and Clark on CBS on the other hand had to compete with all the other shows on its network which were pretty good at the time. If Lois and Clark was on the WB like SV is I am sure that show would have made 5 seasons.

 

[triplet]

We'll agree to disagree then. Any educated film critic or professional would tell you otherwise I'm sure. Keep in mind I never said he wasn't good...........

Okay, I'm an educated critic and I think he's terrific.

Whatever....

 

[BaK]

Some actors can manufacture chemistry when none exists. Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey proved this in Dirty Dancing. Off camera, they hated each other.

Actually, one can claim that it just proves the opposite..

That there aint an ''on/off'' switch for chemistry, (can not be manufactured), and it's gonna show up no matter how good/bad you get along with someone..

Personally, when talking about Patrick S. and his co-stars, I liked chemistry in "Ghost" way too much better then in DD (actually zero there for me)..

But we know that's all highly subjective area, so we might all be very wrong..

So unlike "educated critcs" - which are always right..

 

[avidreader]

What you forget also is that Lois and Clark were on a bigger network then SV was and had a Smaller budget and still did well. Lets see how good SV would have done if it was on CBS like Lois and Clark (and remember even back the CBS had good shows). So lets see the shows on the WB all but suck expect SV. So really SV didn't have to worry or compete with other shows on its network to much. Lois and Clark on CBS on the other hand had to compete with all the other shows on its network which were pretty good at the time. If Lois and Clark was on the WB like SV is I am sure that show would have made 5 seasons.

I could have sworn Lois and Clark was on ABC and I believe I may have the videos to prove it. You say that Smallville has a bigger budget, but dont forget that its on a much smaller network and therefore you cant even compare the popularity of it with Lois and Clark.

Pat posted an interesting article in the Ratings Thread the other day about ratings nowadays not being able to maintain the levels that they did even 5 years ago because of all the electronic gizmos that making viewing easier today.

Here it is.

Interesting point made on MediaWeek today:

Q: I understand why you compare the ratings of the current Winter Olympics on NBC to previous Winter Olympic telecasts from four and eight years ago. But that is not done with regularly scheduled series -- they are naturally compared on a year-to-year basis. If you looked at other live sporting events like The NBA Finals and The NCAA Finals versus the same time frame, I bet current erosion for The Olympics would not seem as bad. What do you think?

A: While I don't disagree, I am not necessary sure erosion would be in the noticeable double-digit percent range. It certainly isn't for The Super Bowl. But your point is well taken. In today's growing network and technological universe, no show -- not even an event like the Olympics -- should be expected to maintain audience levels from four and eight years ago.



People need to remember this when comparing SV's ratings today with what it did five years ago. A lot has changed in the last five years.

 

[triplet]

Actually, it was on ABC....

http://www.tv.com/lois-and-clark-th...perman/show/186/summary.html?q=lois+and+clark

 

[avidreader]

Actually, it was on ABC....

http://www.tv.com/lois-and-clark-the-new-adventures-of-superman/show/186/summary.html?q=lois+and+clark

I thought so. And I believe they used to film in the backlots of the WB Studios in L.A. So it was a WB Production.